Sierra de los Cuchumatanes

The Sierra de los Cuchumatanes is the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America. Its elevations range from 500 m (1,600 ft) to over 3,800 m (12,500 ft), and it covers a total area of ±16,350 km². With an area of 1,500 km (580 sq mi) situated above 3,000 m (9,800 ft), it is also the most extensive highland region in Central America. The Sierra de los Cuchumatanes is located in western Guatemala in the departments of Huehuetenango and El Quiché. Its western and south-western borders are marked by the Seleguá River which separates it from the Sierra Madre volcanic chain. Its southern border is defined by the Río Negro which flows into the Chixoy River that turns northwards and separates the Cuchumatanes from the mountains in the Alta Verapaz region. The highest peaks, which reach up to 3,837 m (12,589 ft) are in the department of Huehuetenango.