El Quiché has historically been one of the most populous departments of Guatemala. Its population of 655,100(as of 2002) is predominantly of Mayan descent.
While most of its indigenous population speaks the K'iche' language, other Mayan languages spoken in the department are Ixil (Nebaj - Chajul - Cotzal area), Uspantek(Uspantán area), Sakapultek (Sacapulas area), as well as Poqomchi' and Q'ekchi in the North-Eastern part bordering with the Alta Verapaz department.
The topographical composition of El Quiché is dominated by the central highlands and the mountain ranges of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Sierra de Chuacús, and the foothills of the volcanic mountain range on the department's South-Western border with Chimaltenango, which together make up for 79% of the department's territory. The northern part of the department is formed by tropical lowlands which cover 21% of the department's territory.
The principal drainage basins in El Quiché are the Salinas, Motagua, Xaclbal and Ixcan river basins. The Salinas river basin (3668 km2), includes the Chixoy River which is tributary of the Río Salinas and Río Usumacinta. The Motagua basin (1042 km2) includes the Río Grande which is an important tributary of the Río Motagua. The smallerXaclbal (779 km2) and Ixcan basins (187 km2) are situated in the North-East of El Quiché. El Quiché has a small number of shallow lakes ("lagunas"): laguna de Lemoaand the laguna de La Estancia, both in Santa Cruz del Quiché, and the laguna de San Antonio in San Antonio Ilotenango
