Honduras was the original banana republic and is still one of the least developed and industrialized countries in Central America. Despite its turbulent political history, the poor cousin of the region has barely registered on the Western radar, apart from its short role in the 1980s as a breeding ground for US covert operations. The slow pace, natural beauty and low-profile tourism make it particularly appealing to travelers (well-armed with insect repellent) who enjoy getting off the beaten track. However, the country was devastated by one of the strongest hurricanes of the 20th century - Hurricane Mitch in October 1998. Thanks to international relief efforts, much of the infrastructure has now been repaired and tourism has returned to pre-Mitch levels.

Warning

Violent crime escalated in 1999 and 2000 in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, particularly in the cities of San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa. Throughout Honduras, street crime is the principal concern. Incidents involving armed robbery, purse snatching and pickpocketing have been on the rise. Travelers should steer clear of the El Rubi waterfall near Santa Rita de Copán, and exercise extreme caution in Tela, as there have been numerous reports of robberies, assaults and rapes in these areas.

Full country name: Republic of Honduras
Area: 112,492 sq km (43,870 sq mi)
Population: 6,249,598 (growth rate 2.5%)
Capital city: Tegucigalpa (pop 1 million+)
People: 90% mestizo, 7% Indian
Language: Spanish, Creole English and Indian dialects
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, plus other Christian sects and indigenous forms of worship
Government: Constitutional democracy
President: Ricardo Maduro

GDP: US$14.1 billion
GDP per head: US$2,050
Annual growth: -3%
Inflation: 14%
Major industries: Coffee, bananas, beef, sugar cane, tobacco, forestry
Major trading partners: EU, USA, Japan