The Land of Mountains and Mayan Heritage
Honduras, officially the Republic of Honduras (República de Honduras), is a Central American nation where majestic mountains, tropical rainforests, and ancient ruins meet the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. It is a land rich in natural beauty and resilient spirit.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
Honduras has a fascinating past shaped by indigenous civilizations, Spanish conquest, and modern transformation.
Key Historical Timeline:
1000 BCE – 1500 CE: Maya civilization flourishes in Copán and surrounding regions
1502: Christopher Columbus arrives on the coast during his fourth voyage
1524: Spanish colonization begins
1821: Independence from Spain (as part of Central American Federation)
1838: Becomes an independent republic
1900s: Periods of political reform and U.S. economic influence (banana trade era)
1982: Democratic constitution established
2025: Focused on democracy, regional cooperation, and sustainable development
🧭 Basic National Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Honduras |
| Capital City | Tegucigalpa |
| President | Xiomara Castro (as of 2025) |
| Vice President | Salvador Nasralla |
| Government Type | Democratic Constitutional Republic |
| Area | ~112,492 sq. km |
| Population | ~10.5 million (2025 est.) |
| Currency | Honduran Lempira (HNL) |
| Time Zone | UTC−6 |
| Dial Code | +504 |
| Top-Level Domain | .hn |
| National Motto | “Libre, Soberana e Independiente” (Free, Sovereign, and Independent) |
⚖️ Government and Leadership
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| President | Xiomara Castro |
| Vice President | Salvador Nasralla |
| Legislature | National Congress (Unicameral) |
| Judiciary | Supreme Court of Justice |
| Administrative Capital | Tegucigalpa |
Honduras has a multi-party democratic system, emphasizing governance reform, women’s leadership, and anti-corruption initiatives.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
| Division | Details |
|---|---|
| Departments (States) | 18 |
| Major Cities | Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Choluteca, Comayagua, Roatán |
| Local Government | Municipalities under elected mayors |
| Department Name | Capital |
|---|---|
| Atlántida | La Ceiba |
| Choluteca | Choluteca |
| Colón | Trujillo |
| Comayagua | Comayagua |
| Copán | Santa Rosa de Copán |
| Cortés | San Pedro Sula |
| El Paraíso | Yuscarán |
| Francisco Morazán | Tegucigalpa (Capital) |
| Gracias a Dios | Puerto Lempira |
| Intibucá | La Esperanza |
| Islas de la Bahía | Roatán |
| La Paz | La Paz |
| Lempira | Gracias |
| Ocotepeque | Ocotepeque |
| Olancho | Juticalpa |
| Santa Bárbara | Santa Bárbara |
| Valle | Nacaome |
| Yoro | Yoro |
🌐 Geography & Environment
Location: Bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Caribbean Sea, and Pacific Ocean
Terrain: Mountainous with narrow coastal plains and tropical lowlands
Major Features: Pico Bonito, Copán Ruins, Mosquitia Rainforest, Bay Islands
Climate: Tropical in the coast, temperate in highlands
Natural Resources: Timber, gold, silver, zinc, coffee, tropical fruits
Environmental Focus: Forest conservation, marine protection, disaster resilience
Honduras is known as the “Land of Mountains” — nearly 80% of its land is covered by hills and forests.
Local Government Structure
Departments are overseen by governors appointed by the president.
Local governance takes place through municipalities (municipios)—over 290 in total.
Each municipality has an elected mayor and municipal council.
Decentralization reforms are ongoing to improve governance and service delivery.
Leadership & Governance
Focus areas:
Anti-corruption and transparency
Women’s rights and rural development
Justice reform and indigenous inclusion
Digital governance and decentralization
President Xiomara Castro emphasizes social reform, public investment, and people-first policies.
Law Enforcement & Safety
Agencies include the Honduran National Police, Military Police, and judicial units.
Security issues: gang violence, drug trafficking, land disputes
International cooperation focuses on security sector reform and human rights
🕌 Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religion | Christianity (Roman Catholic, Protestant) |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Indigenous Languages | Garifuna, Miskito, Lenca, Pech |
| Ethnic Composition | Mestizo (~90%), Indigenous, Afro-Honduran, Garifuna |
Cultural Highlights:
Traditional dance: Punta (Garifuna origin)
Cuisine: Baleadas, tamales, fried plantains, seafood
Handicrafts: Wooden carvings, textiles, pottery
Festivals: Independence Day (Sept 15), Feria Juniana (San Pedro Sula), Garifuna Settlement Day
Honduras celebrates a fusion of Mayan, African, and Spanish cultures.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| GDP (2025 est.) | ~$35 billion |
| Main Industries | Agriculture, textiles, manufacturing, tourism |
| Major Exports | Coffee, bananas, palm oil, shrimp, gold |
| Trade Partners | USA, Guatemala, Mexico, EU |
| Currency | Lempira (HNL) |
| Tourism Contribution | ~20% of GDP |
Honduras is one of Central America’s leading coffee producers and a growing eco-tourism hub.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Sector | Details |
|---|---|
| Education System | Free and compulsory at primary level |
| Top Universities | National Autonomous University of Honduras, UNITEC |
| Literacy Rate | ~89% |
| Healthcare System | Public and private network managed by SESAL |
| Life Expectancy | ~74 years |
| Key Challenges | Access in rural areas, poverty reduction programs ongoing |
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Airports | Palmerola Intl (Comayagua), Ramón Villeda Morales Intl (San Pedro Sula), Roatán Intl |
| Ports | Puerto Cortés (largest in Central America), La Ceiba, Roatán |
| Highways | CA-5, CA-13 connect major cities and coasts |
| Energy | Hydropower, geothermal, solar initiatives expanding |
| Connectivity | Broadband and mobile coverage growing rapidly |
Honduras’s infrastructure supports trade, tourism, and regional integration.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Top Destinations:
Copán Ruins: Ancient Mayan archaeological site (UNESCO)
Roatán Island: Diving and coral reefs in the Caribbean
La Tigra National Park: Cloud forest near Tegucigalpa
Pico Bonito National Park: Tropical biodiversity hotspot
Utila: Backpackers’ scuba paradise
Comayagua: Colonial city with historic cathedral and clock tower
Honduras is a hidden gem for nature lovers and history enthusiasts.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| UN Membership | Since 1945 |
| Regional Organizations | SICA, OAS, CELAC |
| Trade Agreements | CAFTA-DR, CARICOM ties |
| Strategic Importance | Caribbean and Pacific access, biodiversity, and climate role |
| Global Partnerships | USA, EU, Mexico, China, Taiwan |
📝 Summary
Honduras is a nation of ancient heritage, natural wonders, and modern aspirations.
From the ruins of Copán to the coral reefs of Roatán, it stands as a symbol of resilience and natural wealth.
📢 News & Articles
“Copán: The Athens of the Maya World”
“Roatán – The Caribbean’s Diving Paradise”
“Honduras’s Path Toward Renewable Energy and Eco-Tourism”
🎯 Our Mission
Through the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, we highlight Honduras’s history, biodiversity, and sustainable future — connecting knowledge with global awareness.
📬 Contact Us
For verified data, tourism, or academic inquiries about Honduras, please contact our research department.