Honduras

1502 (Saturday, August 30) – Christopher Columbus arrives in Honduras during his fourth voyage

1536 (Thursday, December 10) – Spanish forces establish the first colonial settlement in Honduras, Trujillo

1821 (Thursday, September 15) – Honduras declares independence from Spain, joining the Central American Federation

1838 (Monday, November 5) – Honduras becomes a fully independent nation after the dissolution of the Central American Federation

1876 (Monday, February 21) – Hurricane hits the Bay Islands, causing significant destruction

1911 (Wednesday, October 18) – U.S. military intervention in Honduras due to civil unrest

1969 (Friday, July 14) – Football War between Honduras and El Salvador, triggered by tensions over immigration and land reform

1998 (Wednesday, October 21) – Hurricane Mitch strikes, causing widespread flooding and landslides, killing over 5,000 people and causing massive infrastructure damage

2009 (Tuesday, June 28) – Military coup ousts President Manuel Zelaya, leading to political instability

2010 (Monday, May 17) – Flooding in the country caused by heavy rains and poor drainage systems

2014 (Tuesday, August 12) – Flooding caused by heavy rainfall affects parts of the north, particularly the city of La Ceiba

2017 (Friday, November 24) – Tropical Storm causes widespread flooding in coastal areas

2020 (Monday, November 16) – Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Iota cause severe damage, particularly in the north and coastal regions

2022 (Friday, January 14) – Tropical Storm causes damage and flooding in Tegucigalpa and surrounding areas

2023 (Saturday, May 13) – Flooding caused by heavy rainfall in the northern part of the country, especially in the Colón and Atlántida regions

Continent: North America (Central America)
Location: Located in Central America, bordered by Guatemala to the west, El Salvador to the south, Nicaragua to the southeast, and the Caribbean Sea to the north.
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Language: Spanish (official), Garífuna, English
Currency: Honduran lempira (HNL)
Population: ~10 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST, UTC -6)

Borders: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua
Landscape: Mountainous interior, coastal plains, and tropical rainforests
Major Rivers: Ulúa River, Chamelecón River, Lempa River
Major Mountains: Celaque Mountain (highest peak), Pico Bonito, Cerro Las Minas, Cerro de Omoa
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Xolotlan (Lake Cocibolca, shared with Nicaragua), Lake Olomega
Volcanoes: San Miguel Volcano, Izalco Volcano
Highest Point: Celaque Mountain – 2,849 m (9,314 ft)
Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea – 0 m (sea level)
Climate: Tropical climate along the coast with a more temperate climate in the higher altitudes. Honduras experiences a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently affect the country.
Geological Features: Honduras is located on the boundary of the Caribbean and Pacific tectonic plates, which leads to seismic activity and occasional volcanic activity. The country is part of the Central American Volcanic Arc.

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (~90%), Indigenous (~7%), Black (~2%), European (~1%)
Religion: Roman Catholicism (~50%), Protestantism (~40%), Indigenous religions (~5%), Other (~5%)
Urban Population: ~55% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Honduras is an ethnically diverse country, with a significant proportion of mestizo (mixed heritage) and indigenous populations, such as the Lenca and Garífuna peoples.

Famous For: Rich indigenous culture, traditional music, folk dances, and natural beauty
Cuisine: Baleadas (flour tortillas with beans, cheese, and cream), Tacos, Tamales, Sopa de Caracol (Conch soup), Tortillas
Arts: Traditional mayan art, wooden crafts, carvings, textiles, dance and folklore
Sports: Football (soccer), baseball
Music: Punta, Merengue, Cumbia, and Ranchera
Dance: Punta, Cumbia, Salsa

Economy Type: Developing, low-income economy with agriculture playing a central role
GDP: Approx. $27 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (bananas, coffee, palm oil), textiles, manufacturing, mining
Key Exports: Coffee, bananas, palm oil, textiles, seafood
Unemployment Rate: ~5.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is concentrated in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, with the central and northern regions having more industrial and agricultural activities. The coastal regions rely more on fishing and tourism.

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State: President Xiomara Castro (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: President Xiomara Castro (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Congress
Constitution: Constitution of 1982 (modified in 2005)

Tegucigalpa: The capital, known for its colonial architecture, and surrounding mountains
Copán: Mayan archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Roatán Island: Popular for beaches, diving, and eco-tourism
La Ceiba: Known for the nearby Pico Bonito National Park and as a gateway to the Bay Islands
Pico Bonito National Park: A lush rainforest reserve, offering hiking and birdwatching
Cayos Cochinos: A group of islands famous for snorkeling and biodiversity
Utila: One of the Bay Islands known for its diving and relaxed atmosphere