Once a Banana Republic, now a natural wonder… Honduras.

Approximately 1,000 miles southwest of Miami, in the middle of the Central American isthmus, Honduras is flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Coastal flatlands and fertile valleys are interspersed by vast mountain ranges that host 64 different ecosystems.

The second-largest country in Central America, with an area of 43,277 square miles, Honduras borders Nicaragua to the east and southeast, Guatemala to the west and El Salvador to the southwest.

There are only two seasons in Honduras, the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from November to May. This is not to say it doesn’t rain during the dry season. On the Atlantic coast, it can rain anytime, and in areas near Lake Yojoa it rains nearly every day. But dry season rain does not compare to rainy season downpours, which in some areas can last for days. Northern coastal areas receive nearly 100 inches (2,540 mm)
of annual rainfall, whereas central highlands average 40 inches (1,000 mm) a year. The south coast is the driest area and can receive as little 15 inches (381 mm) of rain during drought years.

The temperature in Honduras differs according to elevation, and while lowland coastal areas can reach extremely high temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or more, they usually average 82-90°F (28-32°C). Fortunately, temperatures cool at higher altitudes farther inland. In Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, the weather is close to perfect, averaging between 75-85°F (24-30°C). Freezing can occur in areas 2,000 feet (600 m) and higher. However, the weather is never so cold as to be inhospitable.

Honduras is home to 6.8 million people. The two largest cities are Tegucigalpa, with almost a million people, and San Pedro Sula, with nearly 800,000. With one of the highest population growth rates in the Western Hemisphere, at 3% a year. Half of the people are under 15. Most people, especially in smaller cities and towns, are amiable and will greet you upon entering or leaving any public place with a “buenas,” which is short for “Buenos días or buenas tardes” (good morning or good afternoon); if you’re eating they might say “buen provecho,” which translates as “enjoy your meal.”

The official language in Honduras is Spanish and everyone speaks it, including indigenous people who also speak their native language. In the larger cities, many also speak English. Most of those offering tourism services speak some English. Residents of the Bay Islands speak both Spanish and Creole English, which makes visiting the islands easy for Americans from both North and South America.

The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, although the number of Protestant sects is on the rise. Each year, every municipality holds a week-long celebration in honor of their patron saint. Traditional dances and music, along with religious ceremonies and rites, form part of the celebration. Indigenous instruments such as conch-shell horns, drums, and flutes, are often used.

Politically, Honduras is governed under the Constitution of 1982. A president, popularly elected for a single four-year term, heads the executive branch. The unicameral legislature has 128 members, also elected for four years. The country is divided into 18 administrative departments.

Economically, this is one of the poorest and least-developed countries in Latin America. Industrial development has been limited and, historically, the economy has been dependent on agricultural exports, such as coffee and bananas that are subject to such natural disasters as Hurricane Mitch and fluctuating world markets. Tourism, which is growing in leaps and bounds, appears to be the most promising factor for future economic growth

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