Statistical information Honduras 1999

Honduras in the World
top of pageBackground: Part of Spain's vast empire in the New World Honduras became as independent nation in 1821. After two and one-half decades of mostly military rule a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan government and an ally to Salvadoran government forces fighting against leftist guerrillas.
top of pageLocation: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
Map reference:
Central America and the CaribbeanAreaTotal: 112,090 km²
Land: 111,890 km²
Water: 200 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundariesTotal: 1,520 km
Border countries: (3) Guatemala 256 km;
, El Salvador 342 km;
, Nicaragua 922 kmCoastline: 820 km
Maritime claimsContiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Extremes highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish
Land useArable land: 15%
Permanent crops: 3%
Permanent pastures: 14%
Forests and woodland: 54%
Other: 14% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 740 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast
Geographytop of pagePopulation: 5,997,327 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 2.24% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: 50% (1992 est.)
NationalityNoun: Honduran(s)
Adjective: Honduran
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%
Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 41% (male 1,262,190; female 1,217,752)
15-64 years: 55% (male 1,643,550; female 1,665,666)
65 years and over: 4% (male 98,715; female 109,454) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 2.24% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 30.98 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.14 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.46 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: urban 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; severe Hurricane Mitch damage
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 40.84 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 64.68 years
Male: 63.16 years
Female: 66.27 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.97 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 72.7%
Male: 72.6%
Female: 72.7% (1995 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Honduras
Conventional short form: Honduras
Local long form: Republica de Honduras
Local short form: Honduras
Government type: republic
Capital: Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular_departamento) plus probable Central District (Tegucigalpa; 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
Dependent areasIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branchChief of state: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27 January 1998); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27 January 1998); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 30 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001)
Election results: Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse elected president; percent of vote_Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (PLH) 53%, Nora de MELGAR (PNH) 42%, other 5%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (128 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Elections: last held on 30 November 1997 (next to be held November 2001)
Election results: percent of vote by party_PLH 50%, PNH 42%, PINU-SD 4%, PDCH 2%, other 2%; seats by party_PLH 70, PNH 55, PINU-SD 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica), judges are elected for four-year terms by the National Assembly
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
In the us chancery: 3,007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 966-7,702
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 966-9,751
In the us consulates general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
In the us consulates: Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador James Francis CREAGAN
From the us embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No. 3,453, Tegucigalpa
From the us mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34,022, Tegucigalpa
From the us telephone: [504] 238-5,114, 326-9,320
From the us FAX: [504] 236-9,037
Flag description
: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America_Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Prior to Hurricane Mitch in the fall of 1998, Honduras had been pursuing a moderate economic reform program and had posted strong annual growth numbers. The storm has dramatically changed economic forecasts for Honduras, one of the poorest countries in Central America and the hardest hit by Mitch. Honduras sustained approximately $3 billion in damages and will probably see GDP shrink by 2% in 1999 and unemployment rise. Hardest hit was the all-important agricultural sector, which is responsible for the majority of exports. As a result, the trade deficit is likely to balloon in 1999 to $445 million. However, significant aid has helped to stabilize the country. In addition, the Paris Club and bilateral creditors have offered substantial debt relief, and Tegucigalpa is currently under consideration for inclusion in the IMF-World Bank Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). Additional financing will be needed to restore the economy to its pre-Mitch level.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 3% (1998 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $2,400 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 20%
Industry: 19%
Services: 61% (1997)
Agriculture products: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp
Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1992 est.)
Labor force: 1.3 million (1997 est.)
By occupation agriculture: 37%
By occupation services: 39%
By occupation industry: 24% (1996)
Unemployment rate: 6.3% (1997; underemployed 30% (1997 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: 50% (1992 est.)
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $655 million
Expenditures: $850 million, including capital expenditures of $150 million (1997 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
Commodities: bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber
Partners: US 54%, Germany 7%, Belgium 5%, Japan 4%, Spain 3% (1995)
Imports: $1.8 billion (c.i.f. 1996)
Commodities: machinery and transport equipment, industrial raw materials, chemical products, manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs
Partners: US 43%, Guatemala 5%, Japan 5%, Germany 4%, Mexico 3%, El Salvador 3% (1995)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $4.1 billion (1995)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 (end of period)_13.8076 (December 1998), 13.8076 (1998), 13.0942 (1997), 12.8694 (1996), 10.3432 (1995), 9.4001 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 2.73 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 12.09%
Production by source hydro: 87.91%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 2.734 billion kWh (1996)
Exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Imports: 4 million kWh (1996)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones: 105,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: inadequate system
Domestic: NA
International: satellite earth stations_2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $33 million (1998)
Percent of gdp: 0.6% (1998)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 122 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 11
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 3
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 4
With paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 111
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 2
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 21
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 87 (1998 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysTotal: 595 km
Narrow gauge: 190 km 1.067-m gauge; 128 km 1.057-m gauge; 277 km 0.914-m gauge
RoadwaysWaterways: 465 km navigable by small craft
Merchant marineTotal: 247 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 555,534 GRT/730,602 DWT
Ships by type: bulk 21, cargo 157, chemical tanker 4, container 7, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 25, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 4, refrigerated cargo 15, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 5, vehicle carrier 1
Note: a flag of convenience registry; Russia owns 6 ships, Vietnam 1, Singapore 3, North Korea 1 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: demarcation of boundary with El Salvador defined by 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision has not been completed; small boundary section left unresolved by ICJ decision not yet reported to have been settled; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Nicaragua
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for local consumption