HondurasAs the second largest country on the Central American Isthmus, Honduras is the original “Banana Republic” of the 20th Century. For nearly a century, the US American United Fruit Company helped to determine the country’s politics and shaped its fate.

Honduras is located north of Nicaragua and south of Guatemala, on the widest part of the Isthmus. The country’s geographical diversity is reflected in its people. The land is divided into three different regions: the Central Highlands, the Caribbean Lowlands, and the Pacific Lowlands.

The capital, Tegucigalpa, with its 1.2 million inhabitants lies in the south-central highlands. The biggest city in the north is San Pedo Sula with about 490,000 inhabitants. La Ceiba follows this on the north coast with about 100,000 inhabitants. These three cities comprise about 40% of the native population.

Copan Ruins HondurasHonduras’ spectacular untouched wilderness in the northwestern part, including La Mosquitia and the Rio Platano Biosphere (a world heritage site), has inspired writers and filmmakers alike. Half of the country is still covered in forest and Honduras is home to the largest untouched rainforest in Central America.

Its rich and turbulent history is reflected in the Mayan ruins of Copan as well as in its unique Caribbean Islands, The Bay Islands. Predominantly English speaking, they still harbor the ancestors of Pirates and Caymanian turtle fishermen, including the offspring of Pirate Henry Morgan.

The Bay Islands are Honduras’ best-known tourist attraction. Their coral reefs are among the finest in the world and are part of the second largest coral reef system in the world.

Gracias HondurasFine beaches such as Tela, La Ceiba, Omoa, and Trujillo offer the opportunity for a more relaxed holiday and highlight their Spanish colonial heritage to the visitor. Gracias, amongst others, is an outstanding example of this part of Honduras’ history under the Spanish crown.

Its variety and uniqueness make Honduras fantastic for true adventurers; at the same time, it is modern and comfortable enough for less seasoned travelers.

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	Moon Honduras and the Bay Islands (Moon Handbooks) author: Chris Humphrey,Amy E. Robertson ASIN or ISBN-10: 1598802224
	Honduras & the Bay Islands (Country Guide) author: Greg Benchwick ASIN or ISBN-10: 1741048869