GEOGRAPHY
Located in Central America in between Guatemala and Nicaragua, Honduras is a small nation about the size of Tennessee. The climate varies depending on location, as the country has tropical lowlands and temperate mountains. Honduras has a rich diversity of wildlife, boasting over 6,000 species of plants and 700 species of birds. Bordering the Caribbean, species such as dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks can be seen near the coastline.
THE PEOPLE
Honduras is home to slightly over 9 million people, 90% of whom are of mestizo descent. The official language is Spanish, but other indigenous languages such as Garifuna are spoken by smaller groups of Hondurans. After colonization by Spaniards in the 1500s, much of the nation took on Christianity as a religion. This has not changed as 87% of Hondurans practice some form of Christianity. Due to the fact that it is one of the poorest countries in Central America, the crime rate is also high. Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and understaffed police departments often struggle to enforce laws.
ECONOMY
Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America. There have recently been efforts to expand the industrial sector, branching into apparel and production of parts for automobiles. Honduras has 29.6% of its population living below the poverty line, and there is a noticeable inequality in the distribution of wealth amongst social classes. The poorest class of Hondurans are made up of subsistence farmers and they can struggle to support themselves. With a Gross Domestic Product of $5,500, Honduras ranks 169th out of 228 reporting countries and territories.
EDUCATION
Honduras provides a free and compulsory education through primary school for its citizens. They have a literacy rate of 83.6% which is only slightly below the worldwide average. In the poorest families, some children are withdrawn from school to help support their families, and although it is compulsory to complete, only 51% of registered children actually complete their primary education.
HEALTH CARE
Honduras has an issue with understaffed hospitals. There are not as many doctors as needed and as a result, the healthcare system is not as great as it could be. The higher the socioeconomic status, the easier it is for Hondurans to access healthcare, so the very poorest often struggle to get treatment.
HEMOPHILIA IN HONDURAS
According to the World Federation of Hemophilia, there are 301 people in Honduras living with Hemophilia. With poor access to healthcare for the lower class, it is likely that many are going untreated and even if they knew of their condition, would not be able to afford factor.
