User:Bg20218/Culture of Honduras

Honduras

Today, Honduras is the second largest country in Central America. This nation is bordered at the southwest by El Salvador, by the west by Guatemala, and by the southeast by Nicaragua. Honduras hosted a vital Mesoamerican culture such as the Maya in which was important Archaeologically. The main religion practiced here is Roman Catholic because of the heavy influence by the Spanish in the early 1800s, Spanish is the main language spoken here. Honduras gained it's independence September 15th, 1821; and from then on has remained as a republic.

Honduras is one of the poorest countries throughout the Western Hemisphere. The size of the country is approximately 43,433 square miles with a standing population of a little more than 9.5 million people.

Celebrations

On September 15th, marks the national holiday of Honduras Independence Day in which is celebrated at school, churches, and home. Their Independence day starts early in the morning starting with a parade of marching bands. September 10th is a holiday that celebrates Children's Day, and is celebrated by giving gifts to children and hosting parties. Honduras also celebrates Easter and Christmas as well as Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is a day where families are reunited as well as close family friends for a feast and presents are given out at midnight.

Religion

The main religion in Honduras is Roman Catholic. There was a study taken in 2008 called the International Religious Freedom Report. This study was taken to divide up the practiced religions into statistics. Catholic made up 51.4% of the population, 11.1% doesn't practice religion, 36.2% identified as Evangelical Protestants, and 1.3% identified as practicing other religions.

Ethnicity/Race

The dominant ethnicity of Honduras is mainly Mestizo at 90%, Black at 2%, White at 1%, and American Indian at 7%. When Honduras was being colonized, most of their indigenous peoples died due to measles and smallpox in causing the population to be a homogenous, indigenous population. Today, there are 9 government recognized African American and indigenous groups. Most of these groups are Lenca. Approximately 50,000 of the Lenca are resided throughout the western interior of Honduras.

Economy

According to the World Bank, Honduras is divided into two economical divisions; Low income to middle income. In Honduras, their capita income is roughly 600 US dollars in which almost makes this nation the lowest income nation in North America. Their economy is solely based on agriculture, However; this makes the natural disasters problematic after they hit. The wealth of this nation is mainly targeted towards the Urban Center's, and primary agriculture is focused on the low income class. The HDI (Human Development Index) is roughly 0.625, making it a medium developed nation.

This nation seems to be suffering from poverty based on two poverty statistics taken in 2010 and in 2016. In 2010 the poverty line percentage was about 50%. However, in 2016, the poverty line rose 16% leaving 66% of Honduras below the poverty line. Throughout all of the Central American countries, Honduras is the least developed country having an average economic growth of roughly 7% every year.

Government

The system of government in Honduras is a democratic republic ran by a presidential figure. To be the president in Honduras, is to be the head representative of the government and the state. Honduran Governmental power is executive, and the National Congress of Honduras executes the Legislative Power. However, Judicial power is both independent on both of these branches.

In the National Congress of Honduras, there are an elected (for four year terms) 128 members.

Honduras Language

In the country of Honduras, the main language spoken is Spanish.

Bibliography


 * 1) "One of the poorest, most vulnerable countries in the world- Proyecto Mirador" www.proyectomirador.org.
 * 2) "International, Religious Freedom Report: 2008 Honduras" US Department of State, September 19th, 2008.
 * 3) "Ethnologue Languages of The World" 17th edition, published by M. Paul Lewis, Gary F. Simmons, and Charels D. Finneg