Simply, because they have no choice. Anne Maertens from The Western Front writes "facing extreme sprawl and few economic resources, thousands of Guatemalans choose to live in illegal squatter slums in Guatemala City." The precarious settlements are built overnight on steep slopes, which are subject to life-threatening landslides. Photo by Scott Miles. Huxley professor Scott Miles said that "the areas chosen are typically steep ravines that slope down from the edges of legitimate neighborhoods. The grade of the ravines is between 40 degrees and 70 degrees, which makes building difficult." During the rainy season, the weak structures get pummeled by rain, running off the roofs of neighboring houses, and often collapse. Huxley professor Rebekah Green notes that "in some cases, the shelters are completely washed out in a landslide that can leave people injured or dead." It is interesting that no roads lead into the illegal settlements. People come and go by climbing up and down the ravines, which are deep and intense. READ MORE =>