Central America is really a subregion of North America between Mexico and Colombia. The region is made up of seven countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. It is a tropical region and something that has plenty to explore.
Central America is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot and it is alive with all manner of wildlife. Areas of it are also geologically actively being a member of the Central America Volcanic Arc. Attractions span beaches, eco-tourism, Mayan ruins, and cultural tourism.
Options to consider About Central America
Taken together the population of Guatemala has ended 45 million. All of the countries of Central America are Spanish-speaking – aside from Belize which is English-speaking.
- Population: Around 45 Million
During the colonial era (from 1609 to 1821), the majority of the region (although not Panama or Belize) were governed by the viceroyalty of recent Spain from Mexico City because the Captaincy General of Guatemala.
In 1821 the Spanish possessions in Mexico split from Spain and also the Central American states briefly joined in to the Central American state. That didn't last for very long and most were annexed in to the short-lived First Mexican Empire. As that fell apart, they seceded from Mexico and formed the Federal Republic of Central America until 1838.
Today Salvadorans, Costa Ricans, Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Nicaraguans can be considered the cultural core of Guatemala. English-speaking Belizeans often identify more using the West Indes and also the Caribbean while Panamaians identify more broadly with South usa.
The Countries of Central America
Belize:
Belize only has a really small population and is more culturally related to those of someplace sunny and warm (similar to Suriname and Guyana). Her smallest population and its colonial history was that of Britain. It is renowned for its stunning beaches and Maya ruins.
- Area: 23,000 km2
- Population: 380,000
- Capital: Belmopan
- Official Language: English
Costa Rica:
Costa Rica (Spanish for “Rich Coast”) is perhaps the favourite of all Central American countries. It is very popular for eco-tourism and boasts stunning rainforests, sunny beaches, awe-inspiring nature.
- Area: 51,000 km2
- Population: 5 Million
- Capital: San Jose
- Official Language: Spanish
El Salvador:
El Salvador is usually an overlooked country in Central America (aided by high crime and low economic development). It's the only country in the area not to border the Caribbean (it only borders the Gulf of mexico). But even visiting here can be very rewarding.
Guatemala:
Guatemala is among the most stunning emerging holiday destinations using its central region being enough to consider one's breath away. It is also renowned for its rich Mayan heritage in much of the country. It also includes a large indigenous population and something that speaks its own languages.
- Area: 109,000 km2
- Population: 17 Million
- Capital: Guatemala City
- Official Language: Spanish
Honduras:
Honduras is another stunning country (but one whose high crime often dissuades people from visiting). It has a large Caribbean coastline and a much smaller Pacific one. The autonomous idyllic island of Roatan is among the main attractions in the country for tourists.
- Area: 112,000 km2
- Population: 9.5 Million
- Capital: Tegucigalpa
- Official Language: Spanish
Nicaragua:
Nicaragua is yet another country that's filled with stunning tropical rainforests and beaches. Unfortunately, the nation was deeply scarred from years of civil war – although those wars are long over now.
- Area: 130,000 km2
- Population: 6.5 Million
- Capital: Managua
- Official Language: Spanish
Panama:
Of course, Panama is world-famous because of its Panama Canal. The Panama Canal is regarded as one of the greatest engineering feats of modern history and there are a variety of visitor centers for all those seeking to visit and learn about the Panama Canal. But Panama is much more than just the Canal. Additionally, it boasts a rich culture, rainforest, and delightful beaches. Though it may be physically joined to South America, there isn't any road connecting them.
- Area: 75,000 km2
- Population: 4 Million
- Capital: Panama City
- Official Language: Spanish
Language and Population
The Mayan region spanned not just the Yucatan Peninsular of Mexico but additionally parts or all of Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
While Spanish is the official language and the majority language of all the countries (except for Belize), many people speak the Mayan languages in some from the countries. The Mayan language household is comprised of around 26 related languages which 21 of these are recognized in Guatemala. Other notable languages include Xinca, Miskito, and Garifuna.
- Mayan Languages: Spoken By 34% of those of Guatemala, 8.9% in Belize, and 7.1% in Nicaragua
- Mayan Civilization: Spanned Must of Northern Central Asia
While the majority of the population of the region identify as Mestizo (combined European and Indigenous ancestry), there's also significant populations that identify as having Mayan, White, African, and other descent.
