HONDURAS. Republic of Honduras
A country in Central America. Area - 112,000 km². Capital - Tegucigalpa (800,000). Administrative-territorial division - 18 departments. Population - 7.4 million (2004); 90% - mestizos, 6% - indigenous people, 2% - blacks, 2% - people of European descent.
Official language - Spanish. Dominant religion - Catholicism. Currency - lempira.
Has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on September 30, 1990).
National holiday - September 15 - Independence Day (1821).
Honduras is a presidential republic. The constitution, adopted on June 5, 1965 (with amendments), is in effect. The head of state and government is the president (since January 27, 2002, R. Maduro Joest, candidate of the National Party), elected by a simple majority of votes in a general direct and secret ballot for a term of 4 years (without the right to re-election for a second term). Legislative power belongs to the National Congress (a unicameral parliament), whose 128 deputies are elected by general direct and secret ballot according to a proportional system for a term of 4 years (elected in November 2001).
Political parties: the ruling party - the National Party based on the Nationalist (conservative) party - founded in 1902.
After the radical reform of the 1980s, it was transformed into a mass bourgeois party, enjoying broad support from civil servants, small bourgeoisie, and prosperous peasants. It has 66 seats in the National Congress. The Liberal Party is the main opposition party. It has 54 seats in the National Congress; founded in 1891; represents the interests of trade and industrial bourgeoisie. The Socialist Party (SP) was founded in 1979. The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) was founded in 1977. The National Renewal Party. The "Democratic Unity" Party.
Trade union associations: Confederation of Workers of Honduras, National Association of Peasants of Honduras, Unitary Federation of Workers of Honduras, Central Federation of Free Trade Unions of Honduras.
The expedition of Columbus reached the territory of Honduras in 1502. In 1522, it was subordinated to the Spanish crown, and in 1542, it became part of the vice-royalty of New Spain as an audiencia (from 1560 - part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala). In 1821, it proclaimed independence. From 1823 to 1838, Honduras was part of the federation of the United Provinces of Central America. The period until the end of the 19th century and later in the 20th century was characterized by political instability, with the military in power for a long time. Civilian governments since the 1990s have gradually limited the military's influence on the political life of the country.
Honduras is a member of the UN (since 1945), OAS (since 1948), LAES (since 1975),
CAIS (since 1991), CAP (since 1960), and the Union of Banana Exporting Countries.
Honduras is one of the most economically underdeveloped countries in Latin America. GDP in 2004 - $7.45 billion (growth compared to 2003 - 4.3%). The government has taken emergency measures to pull the country out of the economic crisis: strict budget discipline, attracting foreign aid and foreign investments. Foreign tourism and enterprises in free economic zones (production of clothing, footwear, food products, household appliances, etc.) are developing. Remittances from Hondurans working abroad amount to up to $800 million a year. The government is implementing the "National Renewal Plan" (2002) and a series of strict measures to combat crime.
The basis of the economy is agriculture. More than half of the economically active population is employed in it. The main crops grown are bananas, coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, corn, rice, and legumes. A significant portion of agricultural land is concentrated in the hands of large landowners.
Industry (23% of the economically active population, 2004) is poorly developed and is mainly represented by small mining enterprises (lead, zinc, silver), as well as enterprises for processing agricultural products and enterprises in free economic zones (more than 80,000 employed in 2004).
The foreign trade turnover of the country in 2004 amounted to $5.2 billion. Exports - $1.4 billion (mainly coffee, bananas, seafood, metal ore concentrates); imports - $3.8 billion (consumer goods, machinery and equipment, fuel, fertilizers). The main trading partners of Honduras are the USA (more than 50% of exports and 30% of imports), Venezuela and Mexico, Central American countries, Germany, and Japan.
The external debt (beginning of 2005) amounted to $5.2 billion, inflation - 7.5% (June 2004). Unemployment - 55% of the economically active population, including 16.5% fully unemployed. 74% of the population lives below the poverty line.
As a result of a series of serious natural disasters in 1998-2001, the country suffered significant losses. The situation was partially improved due to external assistance (up to $450 million a year).
There is 1 state and 2 private universities. The most important daily newspapers: "Tribuna" (60,000 copies), "Prensa" (50,000), "Tiempo" (over 100,000). There are 4 television channels, including the Honduras Telecompany, National Radio of Honduras (government radio station).