Brief History

The land that is now Honduras was once inhabited by many different indigenous peoples—notably the Maya, whose civilization encompassed most of the Central American bridge between North and South America. The Lenca and Toltec civilizations also left their mark on Honduras, but native power in the region diminished greatly after Honduras was colonized by Spain in the sixteenth century. Christopher Colombus’s 1502 landing in Honduras ushered in an era of conquest and upheaval, leading to Honduras becoming part of the Spanish Kingdom of Guatemala and existing under Spanish rule for centuries. After then being part of the first Mexican empire, Honduras eventually gained its independence and became a republic in 1823. During the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, large sections of land in Honduras were effectively controlled by fruit companies from the United States, and US troops were sent in to Honduras on multiple occasions to preserve control over the valuable fruit-growing economy. In 1969, Honduras and El Salvador fought what has come to be known as the football war, a short conflict that was quickly resolved. The government has struggled under multiple coups, but since 2021 the country has been ruled peacefully by Xiomaro Casto, Honduras’s first female president.

National Flag

The current version of the Honduran flag was adopted in 1866, although the color was modified slightly in 2022. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes, blue on the top and bottom and white in the middle—with five blue stars in the center. The five stars represent the hope that the former Federal Republic of Central America may one day reunite.

Geography

Honduras borders the Caribbean sea to the north, Nicaragua to the west, Guatemala to the east, and El Salvador and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Honduras is mostly mountainous, with jungles and plains closer to the coasts.

World Land Mass Ranking: 103rd

Highest Mountain: Cero Las Minas, 2,870 m (9,420 ft)

Longest River: Patuca, 500 km, 310 mi

Main Languages

Spanish

Honduras Population: 9,459,440 (as of 2022)

Capital City: Tegucigalpa

Capital City Population: 1,276,738 (as of 2020)

Climate

The climate in Honduras can range from tropical to subtropical. The northern coast is colder and more humid, while the southern regions are hot and dry.

Key People

Carlos Mencia

David Suazo

Xiomaro Castro

Ramón Amaya Amador

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  Cuisine

  Honduran cuisine is a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences, with a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine of Honduras is characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and tropical fruits. Some popular dishes include baleadas, which are flour tortillas filled with beans, cheese, and avocado; tamales, which are steamed corn dough filled with meat, vegetables, or beans; and carne asada, grilled meat often served with rice and beans.

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  Sports

  Sports are an important aspect of Honduran culture, with football (soccer) being the most popular sport in the country. The national football team has a dedicated following and has competed in multiple FIFA World Cups. Baseball is also popular in Honduras, and the country has produced several Major League Baseball players. Other popular sports in Honduras include basketball, volleyball, and boxing.

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  Culture

  Sports are an important aspect of Honduran culture, with football (soccer) being the most popular sport in the country. The national football team has a dedicated following and has competed in multiple FIFA World Cups. Baseball is also popular in Honduras, and the country has produced several Major League Baseball players. Other popular sports in Honduras include basketball, volleyball, and boxing.