Located at the heart of Central America, Honduras lies completely within the tropics. However, due to high, pine-covered mountains which form our Central Highlands, there is a wide range of temperatures, ranging from the hot and humid Caribbean coast, to the mild and even cool highland areas, to our hot and dry southern Pacific coast. Our Caribbean coast, consisting of mostly long, warm-water beaches, stretches for nearly 800 miles from our western border with Guatemala to our eastern border with Nicaragua. Our 100 km. outlet into the Pacific Ocean in the Gulf of Fonseca separates El Salvador to the West from Nicaragua to the east. Honduras' Bay Islands were once a British colony, and today they are famous as a world class diving site. Much of the country's most fertile land is located in the Sula and Aguan valleys, which were first developed by the banana companies early in the 20th century. Other important crops include coffee, African palm, pineapples, and sugar cane. Timber has long been an important economic activity, as well as extensive cattle grazing. On the south coast, cultured shrimp has recently become an important export industry.

Government and Politics
Honduras is a freely elected democratic government, which consists of an executive branch headed by the president; a legislative branch made up of a single-house congress; and the judicial branch led by the Supreme Court.

Population and Language
Honduras is home to just over 6 million people. The cultural majority consists of mixed American Indian and Spanish descent, called Mestizos or Ladinos. Spanish is the dominant language in mainland Honduras, although English is most prevalent on the Bay Islands, which were former British colonies. There are 8 other indigenous groups that speak nearly as many languages: the Lencas, the Chortiz, the Tolupan, the Garifunas, the Miskitos, the Pech, the Tawahkas and the Bay Islanders.

Currency
The local currency is the Lempira. There is 12% sales tax. Tipping of 10-15% is customary, although frequently included in your bill as a service charge.