25+ Interesting Facts About Honduras

1. Honduras is the second-largest country in Central America by area (112,090 km²) and population (more than 9 million).
2. Honduras is the least developed country in Central America. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world as more than 66% population is living below the poverty line. Honduras has the highest level of economic inequality in Latin America and one of the highest homicide rates in the world. (Source)
3. La Mosquitia is the easternmost part of Honduras. This region consists of tropical rainforests, rivers, savannas, lagoons, and mangrove swamps and is known as the largest wilderness area in Central America.
4. In the same region La Mosquitia, the ancient archaeology of “White City” (also known as the “City of the monkey god”) was discovered in 2015. It was one of the last scientifically unexplored places on earth, and the most undisturbed rainforest in Central America. Humans had not seen its animals previously. (Source)
5. A small town in Honduras has been receiving "rain of fish" every year since the 19^th Century. This strange rain happens in May or June and brings living fish to the streets of this town. (Source)
6. Honduras shares the coast with Mesoamerican Reef. It is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. (Source)
7. Honduras was the first country to be described as a “banana republic” in 1904. It was due to the political influence of foreign fruit companies in the country. (Source)
8. In 2011, Honduras became the 1^st country in the world to ban smoking in homes. Even family members can call to police to stop this punishable offense. (Source)
9. More than 45% population of Honduras resides in just two metropolitan areas (Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula).  
10. Honduras initially gained independence from Spain in 1821. It became a fully independent country on 5^th November 1838 after its separation from the Federal Republic of Central America.
11. Five blue stars on the Honduran flag represent five countries in Central America (all members of the former Central American Federation). (Source)  
12. Honduras is one of the oldest places for cacao cultivation. The discovery of a 3,100-year-old pottery vessel makes it one of the oldest places to use cocoa. (Source)
13. Despite having one of the highest homicide rates in the world, Honduras has managed to halve this rate (from 87 murders per 100,000 residents in 2012 to 42 in 2017) in just five years. It is due to several factors, especially reforms in the police force. Around 4,455 officers have been dismissed since 2016 due to their relations with criminals and gang members.
14. Femicide is also a major problem in this Central American country. Victims are between 4 to 70 years of age and are mostly killed by their partners or family members. Around 95% of femicide cases go unpunished in Honduras. (Source)
15. The performance of Honduras is also poor for human development. The HDI (human development index) in Honduras is the lowest in Central America and only above Haiti in the entire Latin American region. (Source)
16. Utila in Honduras is known as a seasonal feeding site for whale sharks. It is also one of the few places in the world where whale sharks can be seen year-round.
17. Honduras has the oldest clock in the Americas. This clock was built in 1100 AD in Grenada, Spain, during the Islamic period.
18. Toncontin Airport in Honduras is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. It is due to the short runway and its presence in a mountainous region. 

    

    Toncontin Airport is world's 6th most dangerous airport
    
    

19. Honduras is facing one of the worst activities of criminal gangs. There are two major and several smaller gangs in the country. San Pedro Sula in Honduras is the most violent city in the world. It has a homicide rate of 142 per 100,000 people. (Source)
20. Around 90% population of Honduras is composed of mestizos (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry). The remaining are Amerindians and black.
21. Honduras was the first country to face Hurricane Mitch in 1998. It was the deadliest hurricane in Western Hemisphere in 200 years. (Source)
22. Honduran lempira is the official currency of Honduras. It is named after a 16^th Century Honduran Indian chief who fought against Spanish rule. (Source)
23. Honduras shares land border with three Central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua), the highest in the region.
24. Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve and the Maya Site of Copan are the two UNESCO world heritage sites in Honduras. Rio Platano is the largest protected area in the country, while the Maya Site of Copan is a significant Mayan civilization site. (Source)
25. Honduras is a Spanish word that means “great depths.” Christopher Columbus described the depth of the Honduran coast through this name.
26. Lake Yojoa is the largest inland lake in Honduras. This volcanic lake is a popular tourist destination where major tourist activities are fishing and duck shooting. (Source)