Honduras was home to several important Mesoamerican cultures, most notably the Maya, before the Spanish colonization in the sixteenth century. The Spanish introduced Catholicism and the now predominant Spanish language, along with numerous customs that have blended with the indigenous culture. Honduras became independent in 1821 and has since been a republic, although it has consistently endured much social strife and political instability, and remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1960, the northern part of what was the Mosquito Coast was transferred from Nicaragua to Honduras by the International Court of Justice.
The nation's economy is primarily agricultural, making it especially vulnerable to natural disasters such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The lower class is primarily agriculturally based while wealth is concentrated in the country's urban centers. Honduras has a Human Development Index of 0.625, classifying it as a nation with medium development. When adjusted for income inequality, its Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index is 0.443. (Full article...)
The eastern end of the island is capped by a thin veneer of basaltic volcanic rocks, erupted from several pyroclastic cones including 74 m (243 ft) Pumpkin Hill which forms the highest point on the island. It has been documented in history since Columbus' fourth voyage, and currently enjoys growing tourism with emphasis on recreational diving and is known as one of the world's best dive locations. The people of Utila are of African (Garifuna), English and Dutch descent. Since 2013 the entire island and its cays have been designated as a protected Ramsar site. (Full article...)
Image 2First coat of arms of Honduras given by the emperor Charles I of Spain an 5th of the Holy Roman empire. By the time of the colonial era Honduras suffered a demographic change due the arrival of Spanish immigrants (from History of Honduras)
Image 3The baleada is a popular Honduran fast food dish. (from Culture of Honduras)
Image 6The church of la Merced in the city of Comayagua was the first Cathedral of Honduras in 1550 and is the oldest Honduran church still standing. (from History of Honduras)
Image 8La Merced plaza of Comayagua after the independence from Spain. (from History of Honduras)
Image 9One of the Pyramids of Los Naranjos, considered the oldest structures of Honduras.
Image 10Train station in La Ceiba during the 1920s. The locomotives were one of the main means of transportation in Honduras during the 20th century. (from History of Honduras)
Image 11American troops arriving in Honduras in 1988 during Operation Golden Pheasant. (from History of Honduras)
Image 12After the 2009 coup d'état, the military presence in the streets began to be more common. (from History of Honduras)
Image 13Central Park in San Pedro Sula, where several cultural events take place throughout the year. (from Culture of Honduras)
Image 14Map of the town of Trujillo from the 16th century. (from History of Honduras)
Image 29Painting depicting the chief Lempira fighting against a conquistador (from History of Honduras)
Image 30Mayan representative hieroglyphic of the Yax Kuk Mo Dynasty that later would become the emblem of the Kingdom of "Oxwitik" also known as Copán. (from History of Honduras)
Image 57The dictatorship of Carias Andino is remembered as the longest dictatorship that Honduras has ever had (from History of Honduras)
Image 58The railroad transportation suffered a lot of economic issues and disadvantages during the 2000s, it was not until 2010 passenger trains where reactivated. (from History of Honduras)