Highland Region

The Brazilian Highlands (Planalto Brasileiro) constitute South America's most extensive plateau system, covering approximately 4.5 million square kilometers (1.74 million square miles) and serving as Brazil's geological backbone. This ancient landform influences continental weather patterns, harbors critical biodiversity hotspots, supports over 190 million inhabitants, and provides the geological foundation for Brazil's emergence as a global agricultural and mining powerhouse.

Stretching between the Pacific coastal plains and Guatemala's northern Petén lowlands, the Guatemalan Highlands represent one of Central America's most geologically complex and culturally significant regions. Known locally as "Tierras Altas," this mountainous terrain encompasses towering volcanic peaks, deep valleys, highland lakes, and Indigenous communities. The region's dramatic landscapes are the result of millions of years of tectonic activity, creating a natural laboratory where geological forces have shaped both the environment and civilization.