Chiapas Mountains

The mountains of Chiapas and western Guatemala form a rugged highland region of ridges, valleys and volcanic peaks. The Sierra Madre runs along the Pacific side, extending from southern Mexico into Guatemala; among its highest summits is Tacaná. Rivers descend from the steep slopes toward the coastal plain, while high valleys provide cooler ground between the ranges. Maya communities have inhabited these mountains for centuries, adapting their settlements and fields to the varied elevations.