Agriculture and food in Honduras

Agriculture in Honduras

Honduras is a nation in Central America that is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador, and to the southeast by Nicaragua. With an estimated population of 8.5 million people in 2015, Honduras is the second-most populous country in Central America (after El Salvador). The majority of the population (60%) is of mixed Hispanic (Mestizo) and Amerindian descent. The country has a very high level of income inequality. Honduras is known for its rich natural resources, including minerals, coffee, tropical fruit, and sugar cane, as well as for its growing textiles industry. Honduras is also the site of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef). The Honduran political landscape is dominated by two major parties, the conservative National Party of Honduras (Partido Nacional de Honduras, or PNH) and the more left-leaning Liberal Party of Honduras (Partido Liberal de Honduras, or PLH). Former military leader Manuel Zelaya of the Liberal Party was elected president in 2005. In 2009, a constitutional crisis led to Zelaya's ouster and the installation of Roberto Micheletti as de facto head of state. In 2010, Porfirio Lobo of the National Party was elected president, and he served until 2014. Juan Orlando Hernández of the National Party was elected in November 2013 and took office in January 2014. The economy of Honduras is primarily based on agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. The country's main exports are coffee, shrimp, timber, and gold. Remittances from Hondurans living abroad account for a significant portion of the country's GDP. Honduras has a history of political violence and instability. In 2009, a constitutional crisis led to the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya, and in 2010, Honduras experienced a military coup. Since then, there has been an increase in drug-related violence as well as human rights abuses by the Honduran security forces. In 2013, the country experienced a major typhoon, which killed more than 100 people and caused widespread damage. Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with a per capita GDP of just US$2,800 in 2015. Nearly 60% of the population lives below the poverty line, and 20% live in extreme poverty. The Honduran education system is underfunded and faces significant deficiencies. Just over 60% of the population is literate, and just over one-third of children attend secondary school. Honduras has a high rate of crime and violence, with one of the highest murder rates in the world. In 2013, Honduras had a murder rate of 90 per 100,000 people, compared to a global average of 6.2 per 100,000. The Honduran government has been criticized for its lack of transparency and for its human rights abuses. In 2015, Honduras was ranked as the most corrupt country in Latin America by Transparency International. Honduras is a member of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The mountains of Honduras include the Sierra de Agalta, which is the highest point in the country at 8,505 feet (2,595 meters). The Sierra de la Mercedaria is also found in Honduras. Honduras has many rivers, including the Rio Coco, which forms the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. The Ulúa River is also found in Honduras and flows into the Gulf of Fonseca. The climate of Honduras varies depending on the region. In general, the country has a tropical climate, with hot weather and high humidity. The mountainous regions of Honduras are cooler, and the coastal areas are typically warm and humid. Honduras is home to a variety of landscapes, from the mountains in the west to the coastal plains in the east. The country's landscape is also shaped by its many rivers, including the Rio Coco, which forms the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. Honduras has a tropical climate, with hot weather and high humidity. The rainforests of Honduras are located in the north and east of the country. The largest rainforest is the Los Limones National Park, which covers an area of 1,536 square kilometers (595 square miles). The beaches of Honduras are located on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Bay Islands, which are located off the coast of Honduras, are a popular destination for tourists. The largest of the Bay Islands is Roatán, which is home to many resorts. Honduras is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. This biodiverse country is an important stopover for migrating birds, and its rainforests provide habitat for numerous endangered species. The Bay Islands of Honduras are particularly rich in biodiversity, with over 700 species of fish and nearly as many coral species. The nearby Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef and is home to a wide variety of marine life. Honduras' rainforests are teeming with plant and animal life. Over 1,000 species of birds have been recorded in the country, including the endangered Scarlet Macaw. The rainforests are also home to jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and other predators, as well as countless species of insects. The country's diverse ecosystems provide habitat for many threatened and endangered species, such as the Tapir, the world's largest land mammal. Honduras is working to protect its natural heritage through the establishment of national parks and other protected areas. Honduras is one of the most biodiverse countries in Central America, with a wide variety of plant and animal species. Many of these species are found nowhere else in the world. The country's rainforests are home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, and other animals, as well as many endangered species. Honduras is working to protect its natural heritage through the establishment of national parks and other protected areas. Honduras is a country located in Central America. The country's economy is based largely on agriculture, which employs about 60% of the labor force and accounts for nearly 25% of Honduras' GDP. The most important agricultural products grown in Honduras include coffee, bananas, maize, beans, beef, and pork. Other important crops include sugarcane, cotton, and sesame. In recent years, the Honduran government has been working to diversify the country's agricultural sector in an effort to reduce its dependence on a few crops and make the sector more resilient to external shocks. One of the key areas of focus has been on promoting the production of fruits and vegetables, which have been traditionally underrepresented in the country's agricultural sector. The government has also been working to improve infrastructure and access to credit for small farmers, as well as providing technical assistance to help them boost productivity. These efforts are starting to pay off, and the share of fruits and vegetables in Honduras' agricultural exports has been slowly but steadily increasing in recent years. Honduras is the second-largest producer of coffee in Central America, behind only Guatemala. Honduran coffee is typically grown in the mountainous regions of the country, where the climate is ideal for the crop. The majority of Honduran coffee exports are destined for the United States, although small amounts are also shipped to other countries in the region, such as Mexico and Nicaragua. Bananas are another important agricultural product for Honduras. The country is the world's fourth-largest exporter of bananas, behind only Ecuador, the Philippines, and Costa Rica. Honduran banana exports are mostly shipped to the United States and Europe. Maize is one of the most important crops in countries in the region, such as El Salvador and Nicaragua. Honduran culture is a mixture of indigenous, Spanish, and African influences. The country's cuisine, music, and art all reflect this blend of cultures. Indigenous people in Honduras have their own customs and traditions. Many of these have been passed down through the generations and are still practiced today. One example is the custom of painting one's face with bright colors for special occasions. This tradition is thought to have originated with the Maya people, who once inhabited present-day Honduras. Spanish culture is also evident in Honduras. The country was colonized by Spain in the 1500s and remained under Spanish rule until the 1800s. During this time, many Spanish traditions were adopted by the Honduran people. For example, the Spanish language is widely spoken in Honduras. Catholic churches can also be found throughout the country. African influences are also present in Honduran culture. This is due to the fact that many Africans were brought to Honduras as slaves during the colonial era. These slaves brought with them their own customs and traditions, which have been passed down through the generations. African influences can be seen in many aspects of Honduran culture, including music, dance, and food. Honduras is a religiously diverse country, with a large Catholic population as well as sizable Protestant and Pentecostal minorities. Honduras' constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there are very few restrictions or impediments to the practice of any faith. The majority of Hondurans are Roman Catholic, accounting for about 80% of the population. However, Protestant and Pentecostal denominations are growing in popularity, particularly among the younger generation. Some of the largest Protestant churches in Honduras include the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. There is also a small community of Jews in Honduras, as well as a number of followers of indigenous religions. Muslims make up a very small minority of the population. Overall, religious freedom is largely respected in Honduras and there is little religious discrimination or persecution. Catholics, Protestants, and Jews all worship freely and openly without any interference from the government or other groups. Muslims also generally enjoy the freedom to worship, although there have been some incidents of discrimination against them. Honduras' constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there are very few restrictions or impediments to the practice of any faith. The majority of Hondurans are Roman Catholic, but Protestant and Pentecostal denominations are growing in popularity, particularly among the younger generation. Some of the largest Protestant churches in Honduras include the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Methodist Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. There is also a small community of Jews in Honduras, as well as a number of followers of indigenous religions. Muslims make up a very small minority of the population. Overall, religious freedom is largely respected in Honduras and there is little religious discrimination or persecution. Catholics, Protestants, and Jews all worship freely and openly without any interference from the government or other groups. Muslims also generally enjoy the freedom to worship, although there have been some incidents of discrimination against them.