Honduras

(Republic of Honduras, República de Honduras)

General Information:

Location: Central America
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Language(s): Spanish, English, Misqito and various indigenous languages
Population: 9,587,522
Total Area: 112,493 sq km
Currency: Lempira
Curious Alcohol Fact: Coffee is somewhat more popular than alcohol.
Annual Average Liquor Consumption Per Capita: 4.48 liters
Most Popular Drink(s): Coffee, fruit drinks

Honduras Travel Video

Video Courtesy: LetsGoHonduras

The Country

Officially the Republic of Honduras, the country is located in Central America. Formerly called Spanish Honduras, the country is flanked to the north by a gulf named after the country. This gulf leads to the Caribbean Sea. To the west of the country lies Honduras while Nicaragua is to the southeast. The Gulf of Fonesca links the country to the Pacific Ocean in its southern portion. Honduras also shares its borders with El Salvador. Tegucigalpa is the largest city in the country and doubles as the administrative capital and seat of government. To the north of the country is an archipelago named the Bay Islands (or Islas De La Bahía) and is also a part of Honduras. The Bay Islands, which were once fought over by Spain, Honduras and the United Kingdom, were first sighted by Christopher Columbus.

The People

It is thought that the first people to settle in what is now Honduras were the indigenous Indian tribes, especially the Mayas. Today, the native Amerindians include the Lenca while others include the Miskito (also called the Mosquito), Paya and the Jicaque. A vast fraction of the population is made up of those with Spanish and Indian blood and these are called the mestizos. There is also a considerable number of blacks who descended from the slaves shipped from nations of West Africa. The religious landscape of Honduras is quite similar to what I observed in other Central American nations. The most important religion is Christianity with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest denomination. Other Christians belong to the Protestant movements. All over the country, the most widely used language is Spanish with many understanding and comprehending it.

Eating and Drinking in Honduras

Eating in Honduras is pure fun and excitement. If you doubt this, all is you need to be convinced is a plate of rice and beans cooked with coconut milk and tantalizing spices. You must note that coconut features prominently in Honduran cuisine. You also need to taste the baleada, which is made with flour, beans and cheese. Soft and hard drinks abound.

Sports and Recreation in Honduras

Like many other nations in the region, football is by far the most popular sport in the country. Other sports include basketball, volleyball and water-based sports. At various times of the year, there are numerous carnivals, feasts, fairs and processions. For many of the tourists and locals, there is never a dull time in Honduras. If you doubt this, all you need is a ticket to Tegucigalpa.

Interesting Facts About Honduras

Honduras was once called the Spanish Honduras and this was necessary so as to differentiate it from Belize, formerly called the British Honduras.
Honduras is a Spanish word, which can be translated to mean ‘the depths’.
Like many of the other nations in the Caribbean, Honduras was named by the Spanish explorer, Christopher Columbus.
The famed Mosquito Coast region is in Honduras.
Around 80% of the country is heavily forested.
Manta rays are populous around the Bay Islands.

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Special thanks to our contributors:
Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria).