Interesting Facts About Honduras

Interesting Facts About Honduras

Honduras is located in Central America and is officially known as the Republic of Honduras. The total area measures 112,090 square kilometres. The capital and largest city of Honduras is Tegucigalpa. Let me share some interesting facts about Honduras with you.

The official language of the country is Spanish. While English is utilized by business executives, professionals, and government officials, there are other languages besides English.

The official currency of Lempira is HNL. The term used to refer to people from this area is Hondurans.

What is Honduras known for?

Honduras is a country known for its tourism industry and natural beauty. The main tourist attractions are the large cosmopolitan cities, superb cuisine, and welcoming locals. However, only a few tourists witness Honduras’ unique, musical, and unconventional aspects firsthand.

Honduras is the second-largest country in South America and receives relatively few visitors. Due to historical issues with gang violence, drug wars, and political corruption, many people tend to bypass the country and head straight to the beaches of Belize.

The country is currently experiencing a cultural revival at a gradual pace. If you’re interested in learning more about this nation in Central America, continue reading.

Here are some interesting facts about Honduras to know.

1) There’s a vast collection of Mayan ruins in Honduras.

Honduras has been the location of various significant Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Maya. Copan, a Mayan city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains numerous ancient ruins and artefacts.

During the period of AD 426 to 820, it was one of the most populated urban areas in the Maya world. Copan is situated in western Honduras, close to the Guatemalan border, and is widely regarded as one of Central America’s most significant Mayan cities.

The city was founded around 400 AD and flourished for over 1,000 years before it was abandoned in the 9th century. Copan is known for its impressive pyramid structures, temples, and palaces, built using advanced engineering and architectural techniques.

2) It’s home to a sacred bird.

Honduras is known for having a diverse range of bird species, with over 700 recorded in the country. The scarlet macaw holds the title of national bird in Honduras.

The bird is native to Central and South America and is recognized for its colourful red, yellow, and blue feathers.

The scarlet macaw is a well-known symbol of Honduras and is featured on the country’s coat of arms and Honduras flag. The bird is recognized for its cognitive abilities and capacity to imitate human language. It is commonly viewed as a representation of sagacity and liberty.

The national bird of Honduras is currently facing the threat of extinction. Due to legal regulations, the scarlet macaw is a protected species in several countries, including Honduras.

3. Its nickname was the Banana Republic

The Banana Republic is a politically unstable country that relies on exporting a limited-resource product. The term was first used by O. Henry to describe Honduras in 1904.

Sam Zemurray, an American businessman, helped establish the stereotype of “banana republics” by entering the banana-export business in 1910 and conspiring with ex-President Manuel Bonilla to overthrow President Miguel Dávila in Honduras in 1911.

The majority of the population is employed in banana plantations. Approximately 65% of the working-age population in Honduras is used in the banana export or farming industry. Due to its popularity, this fruit has been called Honduras’ “green gold.”

4) Honduras owns one of the oldest clocks in the world

The Comayagua Cathedral, also known as the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, was constructed in 1634 and is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in Central America.

In addition, the city houses the oldest clock found on the continent and the second-oldest clock globally. The Moors made the clock around 1100 AD, located at the Alhambra Palace in Grenada.

The clock’s origin is unclear, with some attributing its gifting to the Duke of Consentania and others to King Phillip II of Spain, who supposedly gave it to Bishop Jerónimo de Cornella of Comayagua.

The clock requires daily winding and chimes every quarter hour in addition to the hour.

5) There are a lot of bats in Honduras

Bats comprise more than 50% of the mammal species in the country. The majority of bats reside in habitats that are under protection.

The region is populated by the Honduran White Bats, a small species measuring between 3.7 – 4.7 cm, featuring orange ears, faces, noses, and wings.

6) They take football seriously

In 1969 a war broke out in Honduras and El Salvador. It was a football match between the two countries.

Football is a widely enjoyed sport in Honduras. Honduras has a prominent soccer culture, a notable aspect of the country. People of all ages participate in and observe the sport.

The Honduran national soccer team is called the “Honduran Catrachos” and has participated in numerous international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup. Soccer is significant in Honduras’ sporting culture and a source of national pride.

7) The Longest Hieroglyphic

The Archaeological Site of Copan features the most extensive hieroglyphic on Earth.

The meaning of these ancient symbols remains to be discovered by experts, but it is speculated that they depict the Mayan dynasty’s history.

The story is divided into 63 steps. Additionally, it should be noted that the construction of this temple took place in 755 A.D.

8) The Second-Largest Coral Reef

The Caribbean coast of Honduras houses the world’s second-largest coral reef system, following the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Despite their small area, the Honduran coral reefs contain a significant portion of all known sea species, making their preservation of utmost importance.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef spans over 1,000 miles along the Caribbean coast of Central America, covering the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and the Bay Islands of Honduras.

The reef contains a variety of marine life, such as fish, coral, and invertebrates. It also serves as a crucial habitat for numerous endangered species.

9) National Garifuna Festival

The National Garifuna Festival is a yearly cultural celebration held in Honduras. The festival honours the Garifuna people with a distinct heritage encompassing African and indigenous lineage.

The Garifuna people have ancestral roots on the Caribbean coast of Central America and have contributed significantly to the area’s history and cultural heritage.

The National Garifuna Festival takes place annually in Tela, located on the north coast of Honduras, and draws in large crowds of attendees.

10) The Largest Rainforest In Central America

The rainforest in Honduras is the largest in Central America, with an area of approximately 4.4 million acres. The rainforest is recognized for its abundant biodiversity and serves as the habitat for several species in danger of extinction, such as the jaguar, puma, and tapir.

The Mosquitia Rainforest is inhabited by various indigenous communities who have resided there for generations.

The government of Honduras recognizes the significance of this natural resource and has implemented measures to protect it.

11) It was the first country to ban smoking in your home.

Honduras implemented a law in 2011 prohibiting smoking in public and private areas. Smoking in one’s home is not against the law, but if someone complains, it may lead to a police visit and a fine of US$311.

The amount mentioned is equal to the minimum wage for a month in a Central American country. The regulation requires smokers to maintain a distance of at least 1.8 meters from nonsmokers in outdoor areas.

According to health authorities in Honduras, approximately 30 per cent of the population smokes, and nine out of 10 Hondurans with acute bronchitis reside in households with smokers.

The Health Department reports that the state spends $10 to combat smoking-related diseases for every dollar the tobacco industry earns in Honduras.

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