The Chixoy river is one of the most scenic environments in Guatemala. It is famous for its the hydroelectric dam which the company INDE built there in the 1980s. The dam raised the level of the river in order to provide electricity to many Guatemalans who were previousy wihout power. The Chixoy river spans various departments in Guatemala including Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and El Quiché. One of Rabinal's villages, Río Negro, lies along the river, atop a mountain. Río Negro residents take advantage of the benefits of their environment, but they also experience many challenges from the valley.
The Chixoy rivers runs along the borders of three different departments. But Río Negro lies in the department of Baja Verapaz. This region is one of the driest in Guatemala. While Baja Verapaz is part of the western highlands of Guatemala, it is lower in altitude than other parts of the country, hence the inclusion of the word Baja (low) in the name of this department. The area has not always been this dry but has been affected by recent climate change to become drier. The dry climate provides an interesting contrast with the high river that runs through it.
