Honduras

Part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and one-half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982.
During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting against leftist guerrillas.
The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused almost $1 billion in damage. (Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua

related countries: Spain

Official Name:
República de Honduras
short form: Honduras
int'l long form: Republic of Honduras

ISO Country Code: hn

Local Time = UTC -6h

Country Calling Code: +504

Capital City: Tegucigalpa (pop. 850 000); metropolitan area 1.2 million.

Other Cities:
San Pedro Sula the industrial capital of Honduras, (pop. 500 000); metropolitan area over 1 million.

Government:
Type: Democratic constitutional republic.
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Constitution: 1982.

Geography:
Location: Central America/Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Area: 112,100 sq. km. (43,270 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Mountainous.

Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation.

People:
Nationality: Honduran(s)
Population (est.): 6.4 million
Ethnic groups: 90% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European); others of European, Arab, African, or Asian ancestry; and indigenous Indians 7%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority.
Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects.
Literacy: 72%.

Natural resources: Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower.
Agriculture-products: Bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp.

Currency: Lempira (HNL)

Honduras in numbers
Honduras Key Statistical Data.