Central American Countries and Regions
Central America is a narrow isthmus that connects North and South America, comprising seven countries. These countries include Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Belize
Country Overview:
Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, covering an area of approximately 22,966 square kilometers. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south, with the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize is famous for its stunning barrier reef, ancient Mayan ruins such as Caracol and Xunantunich, diverse wildlife, including jaguars and howler monkeys, and its vibrant mix of cultures.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 21, 1981 (from the United Kingdom)
- Population: Approximately 419,000
- Capital City: Belmopan
- Language: English (official), Spanish, Belizean Creole, Garifuna
- Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +501
- Top-Level Domain: .bz
- ISO Country Codes: BZ, BLZ
Costa Rica
Country Overview:
Costa Rica is situated in Central America, covering an area of approximately 51,100 square kilometers. It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica is famous for its abundant biodiversity, including tropical rainforests, volcanoes, and wildlife such as sloths and toucans. It is also known for its progressive environmental policies and eco-tourism initiatives.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 5.1 million
- Capital City: San José
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +506
- Top-Level Domain: .cr
- ISO Country Codes: CR, CRI
El Salvador
Country Overview:
El Salvador is located in Central America, covering an area of approximately 21,041 square kilometers. It is bordered by Guatemala to the northwest, Honduras to the northeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. El Salvador is famous for its rich indigenous heritage, including the ancient Maya civilization, its beautiful beaches along the Pacific coast, and its vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 6.5 million
- Capital City: San Salvador
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +503
- Top-Level Domain: .sv
- ISO Country Codes: SV, SLV
Guatemala
Country Overview:
Guatemala is situated in Central America, covering an area of approximately 108,889 square kilometers. It is bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Guatemala is famous for its ancient Mayan ruins, including Tikal and El Mirador, its vibrant indigenous cultures, colorful markets, and scenic landscapes, including volcanoes, lakes, and rainforests.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 17.9 million
- Capital City: Guatemala City
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +502
- Top-Level Domain: .gt
- ISO Country Codes: GT, GTM
Honduras
Country Overview:
Honduras is located in Central America, covering an area of approximately 112,492 square kilometers. It is bordered by Guatemala to the west, El Salvador to the southwest, Nicaragua to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. Honduras is famous for its ancient Mayan ruins, including Copán, its lush rainforests, stunning Caribbean beaches, and diverse wildlife.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 10.4 million
- Capital City: Tegucigalpa
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +504
- Top-Level Domain: .hn
- ISO Country Codes: HN, HND
Nicaragua
Country Overview:
Nicaragua is situated in Central America, covering an area of approximately 130,373 square kilometers. It is bordered by Honduras to the northwest, Costa Rica to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Nicaragua is famous for its stunning landscapes, including volcanoes, lakes, and beaches, its rich cultural heritage, and its colonial architecture, particularly in cities like Granada and León.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 6.7 million
- Capital City: Managua
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
- Time Zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Country Area Code: +505
- Top-Level Domain: .ni
- ISO Country Codes: NI, NIC
Panama
Country Overview:
Panama is located in Central America, covering an area of approximately 75,417 square kilometers. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast, with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Panama is famous for the Panama Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, its biodiversity, including tropical rainforests and diverse wildlife, and its vibrant cultural scene in cities like Panama City.
Country Facts:
- Year of Independence: November 28, 1821 (from Spain)
- Population: Approximately 4.3 million
- Capital City: Panama City
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Panamanian Balboa (PAB), United States Dollar (USD)
- Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
- Country Area Code: +507
- Top-Level Domain: .pa
- ISO Country Codes: PA, PAN