Moving to Honduras: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

9,529,188

Population - note

Note: Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

1.29%

Population Distribution

• Most residents live in the mountainous western half of the country
• unlike other Central American nations, Honduras is the only one with an urban population that is distributed between two large centers - the capital of Tegucigalpa and the city of San Pedro Sula
• the Rio Ulua valley in the north is the only densely populated lowland area

Urban Population

• population: 60.2% of total population Rate of
• urbanization: 2.48% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

1.568 million TEGUCIGALPA (capital), 982,000 San Pedro Sula

Population: Male/Female

• Male: 4,591,247
• Female: 4,937,941

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Age Structure

• years: 28.7% (male 1,378,026/female 1,353,238) 15-64
• years: 65.7% (male 2,980,393/female 3,282,159) 65 years and
• over: 5.6% (male 232,828/female 302,544)

Median Age

• Total: 25.7 years
• Male: 24.8 years
• Female: 26.6 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

20

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

5.4

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.33

Gross reproduction rate

1

Child Marriage

Women married by age 15: 9.2% Women married by age 18: 34% Men married by age 18: 10%

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

69.4%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

69.4%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.5%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

20.3

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.77 male(s)/female Total
• population: 0.93 male(s)/female

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Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-1.7

Demographic profile

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and has one of the world's highest murder rates.

More than half of the population lives in poverty and per capita income is one of the lowest in the region.

Poverty rates are higher among rural and indigenous people and in the south, west, and along the eastern border than in the north and central areas where most of Honduras' industries and infrastructure are concentrated.

The increased productivity needed to break Honduras' persistent high poverty rate depends, in part, on further improvements in educational attainment.

Although primary-school enrollment is near 100%, educational quality is poor, the drop-out rate and grade repetition remain high, and teacher and school accountability is low.

Honduras' population growth rate has slowed since the 1990s and is now 1.2% annually with a birth rate that averages 2.1 children per woman and more among rural, indigenous, and poor women.

Honduras' young adult population - ages 15 to 29 - is projected to continue growing rapidly for the next three decades and then stabilize or slowly shrink.

Population growth and limited job prospects outside of agriculture will continue to drive emigration.

Remittances represent about a fifth of GDP.

Ethnic Groups

Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and European) 90%, Indigenous 7%, African descent 2%, White 1%

Language Note

Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects

Nationality Noun

• Noun: Honduran(s)
• Adjective: Honduran

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Literacy - total population

88.5%

Literacy - male

88.2%

Literacy - female

88.7%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.4%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

• Total: 10 years
• Male: 10 years
• Female: 11 years

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 73.1 years
• Male: 69.6 years
• Female: 76.8 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• Total: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births
• Male: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births
• Female: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• Total: 15.4 deaths/1,000 live births
• Male: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births
• Female: 13.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

72

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.5

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

.6

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

9%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

• risk: High Food or waterborne
• diseases: Bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever Vectorborne
• diseases: Dengue fever

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.4%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• Total: 2.73 liters of pure alcohol
• Beer: 1.6 liters of pure alcohol
• Wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol
• Spirits: 1.09 liters of pure alcohol Other
• alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• Improved: Urban: 100% of population
• Rural: 90.7% of population
• Total: 96.1% of population
• Unimproved: Urban: 0% of population
• Rural: 9.3% of population
• Total: 3.9% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• Improved: urban: 96.7% of population
• Rural: 87.9% of population
• Total: 93% of population
• Unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population
• Rural: 12.1% of population
• Total: 7% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

7.1%

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Economic Overview

Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, suffers from extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, as well as high underemployment.

While historically dependent on the export of bananas and coffee, Honduras has diversified its export base to include apparel and automobile wire harnessing.

Honduras’s economy depends heavily on US trade and remittances.

The US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2006 and has helped foster foreign direct investment, but physical and political insecurity, as well as crime and perceptions of corruption, may deter potential investors; about 15% of foreign direct investment is from US firms.

The economy registered modest economic growth of 3.1%-4.0% from 2010 to 2017, insufficient to improve living standards for the nearly 65% of the population in poverty.

In 2017, Honduras faced rising public debt, but its economy has performed better than expected due to low oil prices and improved investor confidence.

Honduras signed a three-year standby arrangement with the IMF in December 2014, aimed at easing Honduras’s poor fiscal position.

Industries

Sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$50,890,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$5,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$19,940,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 81.6% Government
• consumption: 15.7% Investment in fixed
• capital: 23.5% Investment in
• inventories: -0.2% Exports of goods and
• services: 44.4% Imports of goods and
• services: -65%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

13.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

26.4%

GDP by Sector- services

59.7%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.4%

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Inflation Rate

4.6%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Lempira (HNL)

Currency Name and Code

Lempira (HNL)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

17.8%

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Labor Force

3,394,000

Unemployment Rate

5.1%

Unemployment - note

About one-third of the people are underemployed

Major Industries

Sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

Agriculture Products

• Bananas, coffee, citrus
• beef
• timber
• shrimp

Population Below Poverty Line

65%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

280,809

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

16%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

39.2%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

20.9%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

39.8%

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Annual Budget

$2,923,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

70.5%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-6.2%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

16.5%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Honduras

Country Name

Honduras

Local - Long

República de Honduras

Local - Short

Honduras

Etymology- history of name

The name means "depths" in Spanish and refers to the deep anchorage in the northern Bay of Trujillo

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

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Government Type

Presidential republic

Constitution

• History: Several previous; latest approved 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
• Amendments: Proposed by the National Congress with at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Congress in its next annual session; constitutional articles, such as the form of government, national sovereignty, the presidential term, and the procedure for amending the constitution, cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2021

Legal System:

Civil law system

Executive Branch:

• Chief of State: President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022); Vice Presidents Salvador NASRALLA, Doris GUTIÉRREZ, and Renato FLORENTINO (all since 27 January 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; CASTRO is Honduras' first female president
• Head of Government: President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022); Vice Presidents Salvador NASRALLA, Doris GUTIÉRREZ, and Renato FLORENTINO (all since 27 January 2022)
• Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president
• Elections/Appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term; election last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025); note - in 2015, the Constitutional Chamber of the Honduran Supreme Court struck down the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits
• Election results: 2021: Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya elected president; percent of vote - Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (LIBRE) 51.1%, Nasry Juan ASFURA Zablah (PNH) 36.9%, Yani Benjamin ROSENTHAL Hidalgo (PL) 10%, other 2% 2017: Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (PNH) 43%, Salvador NASRALLA (Alianza de Oposicion contra la Dictadura) 41.4%, Luis Orlando ZELAYA Medrano (PL) 14.7%, other 0.9%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: uUnicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: Last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025)
• Election Results: Percent of vote by party - LIBRE 39.8%, PNH 31.3%, PL 16.4%, PSH 10.9%, DC 0.8%, PAC 0.8%; seats by bloc or party - LIBRE 51, PNH 40, PL 21, PSH 14, DC 1, PAC 1;
• Composition: men 93, women 35, percent of women 27.3%
• Note: Seats by bloc or party as of 1 May 2022 - LIBRE 50, PNH 44, PL 22, PSH 10, DC 1, PAC 1

Judicial Branch:

• office: Court president elected by his peers; judges elected by the National Congress from candidates proposed by the Nominating Board, a diverse 7-member group of judicial officials and other government and non-government officials nominated by each of their organizations; judges elected by Congress for renewable, 7-year terms
• Subordinate courts: Courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace

Regions or States:

18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Anti-Corruption Party or PAC [Marlene ALVARENGA]
• Christian Democratic Party or DC [Carlos PORTILLO]
• Democratic Liberation of Honduras or Liderh [Lempira VIANA]
• Democratic Unification Party or UD [Alfonso DIAZ Narvaez]
• The Front or El Frente [Kelin PEREZ]
• Honduran Patriotic Alliance or AP [Romeo VASQUEZ Velasquez]
• Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Guillermo VALLE]
• Liberal Party or PL [Yani Benjamin ROSENTHAL Hidalgo]
• Liberty and Refoundation Party or LIBRE [Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales]
• National Party of Honduras or PNH [Juan Nasry ASFURA]
• New Route or NR [Esdras Amado LOPEZ]
• Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship or Alianza de Oposicion contra la Dictadura [Salvador NASRALLA] (electoral coalition)
• Savior Party of Honduras or PSH [Salvador Alejandro Cesar NASRALLA Salum]
• Vamos or Let’s Go [Jose COTO]
• We Are All Honduras (Todos Somos Honduras) or TSH [Marlon Oniel ESCOTO Valerio]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: Yes Citizenship by descent
• only: Yes Dual citizenship
• recognized: Yes Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 1 to 3 years

Capital Name

• Tegucigalpa
• note - article eight of the Honduran constitution states that the twin cities of Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, jointly, constitute the capital of the Republic of Honduras
• however, virtually all governmental institutions are on the Tegucigalpa side, which in practical terms makes Tegucigalpa the capital

Capital - geographic coordinate

14 06 N, 87 13 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• BCIE
• CACM
• CD
• CELAC
• EITI (candidate country)
• FAO
• G-11
• G-77
• IADB
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC (suspended)
• IOM
• IPU
• ISO (subscriber)
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAES
• LAIA (observer)
• MIGA
• MINURSO
• MINUSTAH
• NAM
• OAS
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• Pacific Alliance (observer)
• PCA
• Petrocaribe
• SICA
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNHRC
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• Union Latina
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO (suspended)
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Laura F. DOGU (since 12 April 2022)
• Embassy: Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa M.D.C.
• Mailing Address: 3480 Tegucigalpa Place, Washington DC 20521-3480
• Telephone: [504] 2236-9320,
• FAX: [504] 2236-9037
• Email: usahonduras@state.gov
• Website: https://hn.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Javier Efrain BU SOTO (since 12 December 2022)
• Chancery: 1220 19th Street NW, Suite #320, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702
• FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
• Website: https://hondurasembusa.org/
• Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco Consulate(s): Dallas, McAllen (TX)

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Geographic Location

Central America

Geographic Coordinates

15 00 N, 86 30 W

Total Area

43,278 Square Miles 112,090 Square Kilometers

Land Area

43,201 Square Miles 111,890 Square Kilometers

Water Area

77 Square Miles 200 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

944 Miles 1,520 Kilometers

Border Countries

Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km

Coastline

517 Miles 832 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Highest Point

2,870 Meters

Highest Point Location

Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower

Irrigated Land

339 Square Miles 878 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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Climate

The climate in Honduras varies between the mountainous interior and the coastal lowlands and between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.

The interior is much cooler than the humid coast, and temperate Tegucigalpa has maximum temperatures averaging between 77°F and 86°F.

The rainy season technically begins in May and lasts until October.

This means that the interior and Pacific coast are relatively dry between November and April, but on the Caribbean coast it rains all year.

The wettest months on the Caribbean coast are from September/October to January/February.

Terrain

Mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Location

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua

Total Area

43,278 Square Miles 112,090 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Uurban population expanding
• deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes
• further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands
• mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

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Exports

$5,879,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$8,878,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc, lumber

Major Imports

Machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs

Top Export Partners

US 69%, El Salvador 3%, Guatemala 2%

Top Import Partners

US 53.3%, Mexico 4.3%, El Salvador 4.2%

Export Partners

US 69%, El Salvador 3%, Guatemala 2%

Import Partners

US 53.3%, Mexico 4.3%, El Salvador 4.2%

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Country Description

Honduras is a democracy with a developing economy bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

The national language is Spanish, although English is often spoken in the Bay Islands.

The climate is generally temperate, with dry and wet seasons.

During the dry season from February into May, widespread forest fires and agricultural burning can severely degrade air quality throughout the country, possibly causing respiratory problems and airport closures.

The terrain includes mountainous areas, coastal beaches, and jungle lowlands.

Facilities that would normally be used by tourists, including hotels and restaurants, are generally adequate in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, in San Pedro Sula, Tela, La Ceiba, the Bay Islands, and near the Copan ruins.

Large sections of the country, however, lack basic public services or a governmental presence.

Currency exchange is readily available at banks and hotels in the major cities.

Safety & Security

All travelers to Honduras should review the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Honduras,which provides detailed information about security issues affecting many parts of the country, including the major cities.

Demonstrations Political demonstrations occur frequently in the major cities of Honduras.

During demonstrations, protestors frequently block public roads.

Police may use tear gas, water cannons, or rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators.

Travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and never try to pass roadblocks.

U.S. citizens may stay informed by visiting the U.S.

Embassy website, following the local news, and consulting hotel personnel and tour guides.

Other Threats While the Honduran side of the Honduras-Nicaragua border has been largely cleared of land mines, travelers should exercise caution there.

Honduras is vulnerable to hurricanes, heavy rains, and flooding.

The rainy season extends between June and November.

Honduras’ National Emergency Management Commission (COPECO) issues national alerts.

Visit the COPECO website for current alerts.

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Crime

Crime is widespread in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike.

U.S. citizens have been the victims of a wide range of crimes, including murder, kidnapping, rape, assault, and property crimes.

Widespread poverty and unemployment, along with significant street gang and drug trafficking activity, have contributed to the extremely high crime rate.

In January 2012, the Peace Corps suspended its program in Honduras in order to review the safety and security of its volunteers.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 2011 Global Study on Homicide, Honduras has the highest per capita homicide rate in the world, with 86 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants.

Although crime and violent crime occur in all parts of Honduras, the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the country’s highest crime rates.

Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country.

Since 1995, 115 U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras; of these, just 32 cases have been resolved.

Three U.S. citizens were reported murdered in Honduras between January and September 2013.

Since 2010, nine U.S. citizens have been reported as victims of rape or sexual assault in Honduras, signaling an increasing trend in these types of crimes.

Two U.S. citizens reported incidents of rape or sexual assault between January and September 2013.

Perpetrators of sexual assaults are often armed.

Kidnappings have occurred in recent years, with large ransoms paid and infrequent capture of the kidnappers.

One U.S. citizen was reported kidnapped between January and September 2013..

U.S. citizens are primarily the victims of opportunistic crime.

There is no evidence suggesting criminals specifically target U.S. citizens, but foreigners have been targeted for crime due to their perceived wealth.

Weapons abound in Honduras, and armed street robberies are especially common, with criminals taking advantage of relatively isolated victims to steal their valuables.

Young males working in pairs, often riding motorcycles, are perpetrating many of the armed robberies in Honduras’ urban areas.

Criminals and pickpockets target visitors as they enter and depart airports and hotels, so visitors should consider carrying their passports and valuables in a concealed pouch.

We have also confirmed reports of armed robbers traveling in private cars targeting pedestrians on isolated streets.

Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras.

There have been frequent incidents of carjacking and highway robbery on a number of roads including the main highway (CA-5) between San Pedro Sula and Siguatepeque, with the greatest risk between Potrerillos and Pito Solo in the lake area.

Travelers should always drive with their doors locked and windows rolled up to avoid potential robberies at traffic lights and other places, such as congested downtown streets.

Avoid driving at night.

All bus travel should be during daylight hours and on first-class conveyances, not economy buses.

Choose taxis carefully, and note the driver’s name and license number.

Instruct the driver not to pick up other passengers, agree on the fare before you depart, and have small bills available for payment, as taxi drivers often do not make change.

When possible, travel in groups.

Incidents of piracy off the coast of Honduras can occur.

In 2012, a U.S. citizen reported that his boat was boarded and his passengers were the victims of an armed robbery while sailing in Honduran waters near Puerto Cortes, three miles north of Punta Sal.

In 2011, a Canadian citizen was killed in a similar incident.

U.S. citizens should exercise caution while sailing or mooring in Honduran waters.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces.

It is also r

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Honduras, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Honduras are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

There are also some activities that might be legal in the country you visit but illegal in the United States; for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Honduras, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is not in Honduras.

If you are arrested in Honduras, you have the right to request the authorities to alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical care in Honduras varies greatly in quality and availability.

Outside of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, medical care is inadequate to address complex situations.

Support staff facilities and necessary equipment and supplies are not up to U.S. standards anywhere in Honduras.

Facilities for advanced surgical procedures are not available.

Wide areas of the country, including the popular tourist areas of the Bay Islands, do not have a general surgery hospital.

Ambulance services are limited in major cities and almost non-existent elsewhere.

Emergency services may be contacted directly through their local numbers, including 199 for the national emergency line and 195 for the local Red Cross.

The U.S.

Embassy encourages visitors who are considering medical care in Honduras to obtain as much information about the facility and the medical personnel as possible.

Medical tourists should confirm that the facilities they are considering are accredited, purchase medical evacuation insurance before traveling, and confirm that the cost and payment for their treatment is clearly understood by both parties.

In addition to other publicly available information, U.S. citizens may consult the U.S.

Embassy’s website for a list of hospitals and air ambulance services..

Scuba diving is popular in the Bay Islands, but limited medical facilities there pose a special risk in the event of an emergency.

There is a decompression chamber on Roatan and Utila for divers, but no advanced medical care on either island for diving related accidents.

Mosquito-borne illnesses are a problem in Honduras.

Malaria is present throughout the country at altitudes

Traffic Safety

” section below for details.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law and be subject to local penalties.

Criminal Penalties While you are traveling in Honduras, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Honduras are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

There are also some activities that might be legal in the country you visit but illegal in the United States; for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Honduras, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is not in Honduras.

If you are arrested in Honduras, you have the right to request the authorities to alert the U.S.

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Airports - total

103

Airports with Paved Runways

13

Railways

27 Miles 44 Kilometers

Roadways- total

9,160 Miles 14,742 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

2,092 Miles 3,367 Kilometers

Waterways

289 Miles 465 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

La Ceiba, Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela, Puerto Lempira

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Telephones

830,000

Cell Phones

4,185,000

Internet Users

424,200

Internet Country Code

.hn

Internet Hosts

16,075

Broadcast Media

• Multiple privately owned terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by multiple cable TV networks
• Radio Honduras is the lone government-owned radio network
• roughly 300 privately owned radio stations

Telephone System

• assessment: Fixed-line connections are increasing but still limited; competition among multiple providers of mobile-cellular services is contributing to a sharp increase in subscribership
• Domestic: Beginning in 2003, private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed-lines in order to expand telephone coverage contributing to a small increase in fixed-line teledensity; mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 100 per 100 persons
• International: Country code - 504; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the MAYA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System

4 facts — expand for details.

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

6,540,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

11,800,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

6,580,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

58,150

3 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

"A Honduras" ("To Honduras") is a song that expresses the great respect and love that Hondurans feel for their fatherland.

In the years following its independence, Honduras lacked a national anthem.

In its place, "La Granadera," a beautiful march commemorating the battles, victories, and sacrifices of General Morazán, was played at civic events and official ceremonies.

At school festivals people sang hymns by Honduran poets, although none in particular became popular.

In 1904, the President of the Republic, General Manuel Bonilla, gave several writers the task of writing hymns from which an anthem would be chosen.

The poem of Augusto C.

Coello, entitled A Honduras (To Honduras) was selected, and given to the director of the martial band, don Carlos Hartling, to be set to music.

In 1915, "A Honduras" (sometimes called "Tu Bandera" -- "Your Flag") was formally declared by the Honduran government as the country's official anthem.

Anthem Lyrics

CHORUS: Tu bandera, tu bandera Es un lampo de cielo Por un bloque, por un bloque De nieve cruzado; Y se ven en su fondo sagrado Cinco estrellas de pálido azul; En tu emblema que mar rumoroso Con sus ondas bravías escuda, De un volcán, de un volcán Tras la cima desnuda Hay un astro, hay un astro De nítida luz.

India, virgen y hermosa dormías De tus mares al canto sonoro, Cuando echada en tus cuencas de oro El audaz navegante te halló; Y al mirar tu belleza extasiado Al influjo ideal de tu encanto, La orla azul de tu espléndido manto Con su beso de amor consagró.

CHORUS De un país donde el sol se levanta, Mas allá del Atlante azulado, Aquel hombre que te había soñado Y en tu busca a la mar se lanzó.

Cuando erguiste la pálida frente, En la viva ansiedad de tu anhelo, Bajo el dombo gentil de tu cielo Ya flotaba un extraño pendón.

CHORUS Era inutil que el indio tu amado Se aprestara a la lucha con ira, Porque envuelto en su sangre Lempira, En la noche profunda se hundió; Y de la épica hazaña, en memoria, La leyenda tan sólo ha guardado De un sepulcro el lugar ignorado Y el severo perfil de un peñón.

CHORUS Por tres siglos tus hijos oyeron El mandato imperioso del amo; Por tres siglos tu inú til reclamo En la atmosfera azul se perdió; Pero un día gloria tu oído Percibió, poderoso y distante, Que allá lejos, por sobre el Atlante, Indignado rugía un León.

CHORUS Era Francia, la libre, la heroica, Que en su sueño de siglos dormida Despertaba iracunda a la vida Al reclamo viril de Dantón: Era Francia, que enviaba a la muerte La cabeza del Rey consagrado, Y que alzaba soberbia a su lado, El Altar de la Diosa razón.

CHORUS Tú también, ¡oh mi patria!, te alzaste De tu sueño servil y profundo; Tú también enseñastes al mundo Destrozado el infame eslabón.

Y en tu suelo bendito, tras la alta Cabellera de monte salvaje, Como un ave de negro plumaje, La colonia fugaz se perdió CHORUS Por guardar ese emblema divino, Marcharemos Oh Patria a la muerte, Generosa será nuestra suerte, Si morimos pensando en tu amor.

Defendiendo tu santa bandera Y en tus pliegues gloriosos cubiertos, Serán muchos, Oh Honduras tus muertos, Pero todos caerán con honor.

CHORUS

Anthem Lyrics English

As your standard, as your standard serves a strip of cloudless azure, Which in twain is cut, Which in twain is cut by a band that snows besprinkle; In whose sacred abysses there twinkle Five pale stars lit with softest rays of blue.

And in your shield, that a strident sea is guarding With the bulwark of its savage billows' might, A volcano stands, a volcano stands, From whose lonely summit's height Comes the beacon clear, Comes the beacon clear, Of a star that flashes there.

In defense of our glorious emblem We are ready, my Country, to perish, For future ages their fame will ever cherish Who in their dying hour are thinking of your love.

In the defense of your holy banner fallen, Their lifeless forms in its hallowed folds enshrouded.

Not few, blessed Honduras, shall be your proud dead, But they all in honour's cause will die.