|RNational holiday:|N Independence Day, September 15.
|RNature and climate:|N A highlandplateau at many places over 2000 m.a.s.l. covers most of Honduras. This plateau crossed by several rivers and in the north it slopes into swampy lowlands by the Caribbean Sea.
45% of Honduras is covered by forests.
Average temperature in capital Tequcigalpa in January 19°C and in July 23°C. By the northern coast temperatures are some degrees higher.
Percipitation in the capital 1600 mm and by the Caribbean Sea usually around 3000 mm.
|RPeople:|N 90% of the population are mestizoes, a mix of Europeans and Indians. 7% are Indians; Miskito, Payas and Xicaques, or Sambos, a mix of Miskito and Africans.
|REconomy:|N Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. 62% of the labour force is occupied i agriculture, 20% in services and 9% in manufacturing.
16% of the area is cultivated.
Most important crops are bananas and coffee for export and rice, maize, corn and beans for domestic consumption. Food production is not sufficient.
Forestry have ancient traditions and mahogany, walnut and rosewood is exported in great quantities.
With foreign capital several sawmills, as well as pulp- and papermills have been built.
Honduras is fairly rich on minerals such as lead, zinc, silver, gold, tin, copper, iron, antimony and coal. Especially lead, zinc, silver and gold is exported.
Hydroelectric powerplants are under construction.
Manufacturing was strongly expanded in the 1970:s, but suffers from lack of capital, much depending on the political instability. It is diverted to consumption goods, like food, household goods, textiles, furniture, medicine and plastics.
|RHistory:|N Parts of todays Honduras belonged to the Maya-empire. Here lies the ruins of one of the Maya-civilizations most important towns, Copán, that was founded 460 AD and is believed to have been the centre for astronomical science.
Honduras was found by Columbus 1502 and was conquered by Spain 1524.
It became an independent nation in 1821 and was a member of the Federation of Central America from 1823 to 1838.
Political instability has marked the whole independent period and has given the military great influence.
A popularly elected government and president was installed in 1982. Even under this civilian and democratic regime the military has been guaranteed substantial influence.
The democratic regime has passed a landreform, raised the wages and started a campaign against illiteracy.
