LOCATION
Honduras is located in the heart of Central America. It is the only Central American country with a north and south coast. Honduras is proud of the fact that it has never had a civil war and has been a long-time friend to the U.S. The U.S. has a large air base located in central Honduras, Soto Cano. There are about 6 million people in the country, primarily Mestizo, Indian and Spanish mixed, with a small African population and small indigenous population, both located near the north coast. The Highlands: This area comprises about 65% of the land and is home to about 70% of the people. Because the area is so mountainous, it is difficult to build roads and communication facilities. Thus the nation's economic development is impeded by its geography, as well as its history and lack of education. The Banana Country: Located on the shores of the Caribbean, this flat land makes up about 15% of the land mass but supports 25% of the population with its thriving banana agriculture. Both bananas for export and other crops for local consumption are produced here. The Lowlands: Fewer than 7% of the population lives in the two lowland areas, one near the Caribbean coast and the other near the Pacific. The weather in the lowlands is hot and muggy all year. The Islands: The Bay Islands, which are becoming popular with tourists from all over the world, lie 30 miles off the northern coast in the Caribbean. The largest is Roatan, famous for its beautiful beaches, fishing, crystal-clear water, and the world's largest coral reef after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Swan Islands are 100 miles off the northern coast.
CLIMATE
In the past Honduras had a tropical climate. However, forty years of deforestation have resulted in a permanent change in climate for the country. The lowlands are considered subtropical, while mountainous areas, like Tegucigalpa, are considered temperate. There are two seasons throughout the year, differentiated by amount of rainfall. In general, the dry season runs from November to April. The rest of the year is wet, especially September and October. The coolest time is December; the warmest is May.
