Honduras
Where is Honduras?

Honduras, is a republic in Central America. It is bordered on the north and east by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by Nicaragua, on the south-west by the Pacific Ocean and El Salvador, and on the west by Guatemala. Honduras is one of the largest Central American republics, with an area of 112,492 sq km (43,433 sq mi). Its capital city and largest city is Tegucigalpa.

Land and Resources

Except for two coastal strips, one extending about 640 km (400 mi) along the Caribbean Sea and the other 64 km (40 mi) on the Pacific Ocean, Honduras is a plateau consisting of broad, fertile plains broken by deep valleys and traversed by mountain ranges. The mountains, which are volcanic in origin, rise to heights of more than 2,800 m (9,186 ft). The virtually uninhabited Mosquito Coast is found along the Caribbean shoreline. Most of the country’s rivers drain into the Caribbean Sea. Navigable rivers include the Ulúa, which drains approximately one third of the country, and the Coco. Forests cover about 34 per cent of the land, and yield valuable hardwoods and softwoods but concerns about deforestation are increasing. Fertile pasture lands provide the basis for increasingly productive dairy farming and livestock-raising. Valuable mineral deposits, such as lead, silver, and zinc, are also present.

Climate

The climate of Honduras is tropical, but is tempered by the higher elevations of the interior. The mean annual temperature in the interior is about 21.1° C (70° F). The low-lying coastal regions, however, are warmer, and the humidity is oppressive; the mean annual temperature here averages 30° C (86° F). The dry season lasts from November to May; the average annual rainfall ranges from 1,016 mm (40 in) in some mountain valleys to 2,540 mm (100 in) along the northern coast.

Population

About 90 per cent of the population is mestizo (people of Spanish and Native American ancestry); the remainder are Native Americans, blacks, and whites. About 54 per cent of the population lives in rural areas. Honduras has a population of 7,639,327 (2008 estimate). The overall population density is about 68 people per sq km (177 per sq mi), with most people living in the small towns and villages in the northern coastal and central areas.

The capital and largest city is Tegucigalpa, which has a population of 1,324,000 (2006 estimate), located in the south-central region. The principal city and commercial centre in the north is San Pedro Sula, 549,498 (2006). La Ceiba, 127,590 (2001), and Puerto Cortés, 90,161 (2001), are among the leading Caribbean ports.

Transportation and Communication

The total length of roads is about 13,603 km (8,453 mi), of which 20 per cent are paved. Major cities have paved roads leading to them. The best means of transportation around the country is by taking buses. Service is available to almost any place in Honduras. To major cities there are several different buses during the day. There are 4 international airports in Honduras: Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba and the Bay Islands. Most flights available inside the country are between those four airports. Honduran railways, employed principally in the transport of fruit, extend for about 988 km (614 mi) along the northern coast.

Honduras has 7 daily newspapers, about 250 radio stations, and 6 main television stations. The telephone company, HONDUTEL, is a government owned and service is available almost everywhere. Cellular telephone service is available. There are 2 companies that offer the service which are: TIGO and CLARO. Coverage is available almost everywhere in the country.

Links with information about HN

Department of Tourism Website - https://www.honduras.travel/en/
Lonely Planet - https://www.lonelyplanet.com/honduras