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...)
A deadly
fire occurred on 14–15 February 2012 at the National Penitentiary in
Comayagua,
Honduras, killing 361 people. Prisoners trapped in their cells died by burning or suffocation; dozens were burned beyond recognition. The fire started late in the evening of 14 February. According to one prisoner, calls for help went out almost immediately and "for a while, nobody listened. But after a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity, a guard appeared with keys and let us out." Rescue forces did not arrive until about 40 minutes later.
With a death toll of 361, this is the deadliest prison fire ever recorded. (Full article...)
... that although the
type specimen of the black catbird(pictured) was reportedly collected in Honduras, the species has never been recorded there since?
Image 31The
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 34Coat of Arms of Trujillo, one of the oldest towns founded by the Spanish in Honduras.
Image 35Mayan representative hieroglyphic of the
Yax Kuk Mo Dynasty that later would became the emblem of the Kingdom of "Oxwitik" also known as Copán. (from History of Honduras)
Image 36The 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)
Image 51First 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 76Train 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)