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Central America

These are photos do not show all the poverty and garbage laying around. There is EXTREAM poverty away from all the tourist places...this it the real life of these countries.

 
Belize
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Belize i/bəˈliːz/ (formerly British Honduras) is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost sovereign state in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Belize is bordered to the north by Mexico, south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Belize’s mainland is about 290 kilometers (180 mi) long and 110 kilometers (68 mi) wide. With 22,960 square kilometers (8,860 sq mi) of land and a population of only 333,200 people (2010 est.),[4] Belize possesses the lowest population density in Central America.[5] The country's population growth rate of 2.21% (2008 est.),[1] however, is the highest in the region and one of the highest in the western hemisphere. Belize's abundance of terrestrial and marine species, and its diversity of ecosystems give it a key place within the globally significant Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.[6] Belize is culturally unique among its Central American neighbours; it is the only nation in the region with a British colonial heritage. As a part of the Western Caribbean Zone, however, it also shares a common heritage with the Caribbean portions of other Central American countries. In general, Belize is considered to be a Central American nation with strong ties to both the Caribbean and Latin America. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA).
albums: 2
 
Costa Rica
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of El Salvador República de El Salvador (Spanish) Motto: "Dios, Unión, Libertad" (Spanish) "God, Unity, Freedom" Anthem: Himno Nacional de El Salvador National anthem of El Salvador Capital (and largest city) San Salvador 13°40′N 89°10′W Official language(s) Castilian (Castellano) Demonym Salvadoran Government Federal presidential constitutional republic - President Mauricio Funes (F) - Vice President Salvador Cerén (F) - Speaker of the Assembly Sigfrido Morales (F) - Supreme Court President Judge Belarmino Jaime Legislature Legislative Assembly Independence - from Spain September 15, 1821 - Recognized by Spain June 24, 1865 - from the Greater Republic of Central America November 13, 1898 Area - Total 21,040 km2 8,124 sq mi - Water (%) 1.4 Population - July 2009 estimate 6,134,000[1] (99th) - 2009 census 5,744,113[2] - Density 341.5/km2 (47th) 884.4/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $43.567 billion[3] - Per capita $7,429[3] GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $21.700 billion[3] - Per capita $3,700[3] Gini (2002) 52.4 (high) HDI (2010) 0.659[4] (medium) (90th) Currency U.S. dollar2 (USD) Time zone (UTC-6) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code SV Internet TLD .sv Calling code +5031 1 Telephone companies (market share): Tigo (45%), Claro (25%), Movistar (24%), Digicel (5.5%), Red (0.5%). 2 The United States dollar is the currency in use. Financial information can be expressed in U.S. Dollars and in Salvadoran colón, but the colón is out of circulation.[5] 3 On the Coat of Arms of El Salvador, the country's name is written "Republica de El Salvador en la America Central", Meaning "Republic of El Salvador in the Central America" El Salvador i/ɛl ˈsælvədɔr/ (Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally 'Republic of The Savior') is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America. El Salvador borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the countries of Guatemala to the north and Honduras to the east. Its eastern-most region lies on the coast of the Gulf of Fonseca, opposite Nicaragua. As of 2009, El Salvador had a population of approximately 5,744,113 people, composed predominantly of Mestizos (mixed biracials of Native American/European ancestry) and Whites/Caucasians.[1] The colón was the official currency of El Salvador from 1892 to 2001, when it adopted the U.S. Dollar. In 2010 El Salvador ranked in the top 10 among Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index and in the top 3 in Central America (behind Costa Rica and Panama); because of this, the country is currently undergoing rapid industrialization. El Salvador was explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century and remained a territory of Spain until 1821, when it joined Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in a union named the Federal Republic of Central America. When this union dissolved in 1841, El Salvador maintained its own government until it joined Honduras and Nicaragua in 1896 to form the Greater Republic of Central America, which later dissolved in 1898. El Salvador's origins of human civilization date back to the Pipil people of Cuzcatlán, which means The Place of Precious Diamonds and Jewels. The people of El Salvador are variably referred to as Salvadoran or Salvadorian, while the term Cuzcatleco is commonly used to identify someone of Salvadoran heritage.
albums: 3
 
El Salvador
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of El Salvador República de El Salvador (Spanish) Motto: "Dios, Unión, Libertad" (Spanish) "God, Unity, Freedom" Anthem: Himno Nacional de El Salvador National anthem of El Salvador Capital (and largest city) San Salvador 13°40′N 89°10′W Official language(s) Castilian (Castellano) Demonym Salvadoran Government Federal presidential constitutional republic - President Mauricio Funes (F) - Vice President Salvador Cerén (F) - Speaker of the Assembly Sigfrido Morales (F) - Supreme Court President Judge Belarmino Jaime Legislature Legislative Assembly Independence - from Spain September 15, 1821 - Recognized by Spain June 24, 1865 - from the Greater Republic of Central America November 13, 1898 Area - Total 21,040 km2 8,124 sq mi - Water (%) 1.4 Population - July 2009 estimate 6,134,000[1] (99th) - 2009 census 5,744,113[2] - Density 341.5/km2 (47th) 884.4/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $43.567 billion[3] - Per capita $7,429[3] GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $21.700 billion[3] - Per capita $3,700[3] Gini (2002) 52.4 (high) HDI (2010) 0.659[4] (medium) (90th) Currency U.S. dollar2 (USD) Time zone (UTC-6) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code SV Internet TLD .sv Calling code +5031 1 Telephone companies (market share): Tigo (45%), Claro (25%), Movistar (24%), Digicel (5.5%), Red (0.5%). 2 The United States dollar is the currency in use. Financial information can be expressed in U.S. Dollars and in Salvadoran colón, but the colón is out of circulation.[5] 3 On the Coat of Arms of El Salvador, the country's name is written "Republica de El Salvador en la America Central", Meaning "Republic of El Salvador in the Central America" El Salvador i/ɛl ˈsælvədɔr/ (Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally 'Republic of The Savior') is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America. El Salvador borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the countries of Guatemala to the north and Honduras to the east. Its eastern-most region lies on the coast of the Gulf of Fonseca, opposite Nicaragua. As of 2009, El Salvador had a population of approximately 5,744,113 people, composed predominantly of Mestizos (mixed biracials of Native American/European ancestry) and Whites/Caucasians.[1] The colón was the official currency of El Salvador from 1892 to 2001, when it adopted the U.S. Dollar. In 2010 El Salvador ranked in the top 10 among Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index and in the top 3 in Central America (behind Costa Rica and Panama); because of this, the country is currently undergoing rapid industrialization. El Salvador was explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century and remained a territory of Spain until 1821, when it joined Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in a union named the Federal Republic of Central America. When this union dissolved in 1841, El Salvador maintained its own government until it joined Honduras and Nicaragua in 1896 to form the Greater Republic of Central America, which later dissolved in 1898. El Salvador's origins of human civilization date back to the Pipil people of Cuzcatlán, which means The Place of Precious Diamonds and Jewels. The people of El Salvador are variably referred to as Salvadoran or Salvadorian, while the term Cuzcatleco is commonly used to identify someone of Salvadoran heritage.
albums: 2
 
Guatemala
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of Guatemala República de Guatemala (Spanish) Motto: "País de la Eterna Primavera" "Country of the Eternal Spring"[citation needed] Anthem: Himno Nacional de Guatemala National anthem of Guatemala Capital (and largest city) Guatemala City 14°38′N 90°30′W Official language(s) Spanish Demonym Guatemalan Government Unitary presidential Constitutional republic - President Álvaro Colom Caballero - Vice President Rafael Espada Independence from Spain - Declared (independence from Spain) 15 September 1821 Area - Total 108,890 km2 (106th) 42,042 sq mi - Water (%) 0.4 Population - July 2009 estimate 13,276,517 (68th) - July 2007 census 12,728,111 - Density 129/km2 (85th) 348.6/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $70.150 billion[1] - Per capita $4,884[1] GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $41.471 billion[1] - Per capita $2,887[1] Gini (2002) 55.1 (high) HDI (2010) 0.560[2] (medium) (116th) Currency Quetzal (GTQ) Time zone Central Time (UTC-6) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code GT Internet TLD .gt Calling code +502 Guatemala (pronounced /ˌɡwɑːtəˈmɑːlə/ ( listen); Spanish: República de Guatemala, Spanish pronunciation: [reˈpuβlika ðe ɣwateˈmala]) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Its area is 108,890 km² (42,043 mi²) with an estimated population of 13,276,517. A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contributes to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot.[3] The former Mayan civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization, which continued throughout the Post-Classic period until the arrival of the Spanish. The Mayas live in Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, the southern part of Mexico and northern parts of El Salvador. Guatemala became independent from Spain in 1821, joining the Mexican Empire. After it became an independent country in its own right, it was ruled by a series of dictators, assisted by the United Fruit Company. The late 20th century saw Guatemala embroiled in a 36-year-long civil war. Following the war, Guatemala has witnessed successive democratic elections, most recently in 2007.
albums: 2
 
Honduras
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of Honduras República de Honduras Motto: "Libre, Soberana e Independiente" (Spanish) "Free, Sovereign and Independent" Anthem: Himno Nacional de Honduras National Anthem of Honduras Capital (and largest city) Tegucigalpa 14°6′N 87°13′W Official language(s) Spanish Recognised regional languages English, Garifuna, Miskito,and other indigenous languages. Ethnic groups 90% Mestizo mixture of European and American Indian 7% Amerindian 2% Black 1% White[1] Demonym Honduran, Catracho Government Constitutional republic - President Porfirio Lobo Sosa - Vice President María Antonieta de Bográn - President of the National Congress Juan Orlando Hernández - President of the Supreme Court Jorge Rivera Avilés Independence from Spain, First Mexican Empire, and the Federal Republic of Central America - Declared 15 September 1821 (as part of Federal Republic of Central America) - from the First Mexican Empire July 1, 1823 - Declared 5 November 1838 (as Honduras) Area - Total 112,492 km2 (102nd) 43,278 sq mi Population - 2010 estimate 8,249,574 (94th) - 2007 census 7,529,403 - Density 64/km2 (128th) 166/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $33.631 billion[2] - Per capita $4,417[2] GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $15.347 billion[2] - Per capita $2,015[2] Gini (1992–2007) 55.3[3] (high) HDI (2010) 0.604[4] (medium) (106th) Currency Lempira (HNL) Time zone CST (UTC-6) Drives on the Right ISO 3166 code HN Internet TLD .hn Calling code 504 1 "Libre, soberana e independiente" is the official motto, by congressional order, and was put on the coat of arms. 2 Estimates explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected, as of July 2007. Honduras i/hɒnˈdʊərəs/ (Spanish: República de Honduras [reˈpuβlika ðe onˈduɾas] "Republic of Honduras") is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize.[5] The country is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador, to the southeast by Nicaragua, to the south by the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Fonseca, and to the north by the Gulf of Honduras, a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea. Honduras was home to several important indigenous cultures, most notably the Maya. Much of the country was conquered by Spain who introduced its predominant language and many of its customs in the sixteenth century. It became independent in 1821 and has been a republic since the end of Spanish rule. Its size is just over 112,492 km² with an estimated population of almost eight million. Its capital is Tegucigalpa.[6] Its northern portions are part of the Western Caribbean Zone. It is notable for its production of minerals, tropical fruit, and recently for exportation of clothing for the international market.
albums: 2
 
Nicaragua
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of Nicaragua República de Nicaragua Motto: En Dios Confiamos (Spanish) "In God We Trust"[1] Anthem: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Spanish) "Hail to Thee, Nicaragua" Capital (and largest city) Managua 12°9′N 86°16′W Official language(s) Spanish Recognised regional languages Miskito, Rama, Sumo, Miskito Coastal Creole, Garifuna, Rama Cay Creole Ethnic groups 69% Mestizo 17% White 5% Amerindian 9% Black[2] Demonym Nicaraguan, Nica, Pinolero Government Presidential republic - President Daniel Ortega (FSLN) - Vice President Jaime Morales Carazo Independence from Spain and Mexico - Declared 15 September 1821 - Recognized 25 July 1850 - from the First Mexican Empire July 1, 1823 - Revolution 19 July 1979 - Current constitution 9 January 1987[3] Area - Total 130,373 km2 (97th) 50,193 sq mi - Water (%) 7.14 Population - 2010 Census estimate 5,891,199 (110th) - 2005 census 5,666,301 - Density 42/km2 (133rd) 114/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $17.711 billion[4] (132nd) - Per capita $3,045[4] (167th) GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $6.551 billion[4] - Per capita $1,126[4] Gini (2007) 40.1 (medium) HDI (2010) 0.565[5] (medium) (115th) Currency Córdoba (NIO) Time zone (UTC-6) Drives on the Right ISO 3166 code NI Internet TLD .ni Calling code 505 1 English and indigenous languages on Caribbean coast are also spoken. 2 Significant proportion of information obtained from CIA World Fact Book Nicaragua (US i/ˌnɪkəˈrɑːɡwə/ nik-ə-rah-gwə) officially the Republic of Nicaragua (Spanish: República de Nicaragua, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa] ( listen)), is the largest country in Central America. Nicaragua is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Nicaragua is located at the center of the Central American isthmus that forms a land bridge between North and South America. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west, and the Caribbean Sea to the east; Nicaragua's Caribbean coast is part of the Western Caribbean Zone. The country's physical geography divides it into three major zones: Pacific lowlands, wet, cooler central highlands, and the Caribbean Lowlands. On the Pacific side of the country are the two largest fresh water lakes in Central America—Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua. Surrounding these lakes and extending to their northwest along the rift valley of the Gulf of Fonseca are fertile lowland plains, whose soil is highly enriched with ash from nearby volcanoes. Nicaragua's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contribute to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot. The Central American Volcanic Arc runs through the spine of the country, earning Nicaragua its notably famous nickname: The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes.[6] The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and the territory became associated with the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later the Captaincy General of Guatemala. Alongside the Spanish, the British established a protectorate on the eastern seaboard beginning in the middle of the 17th century, and ending roughly two centuries later with the rise of the Spanish Viceroyalty of New Granada in the coast. The eastern seaboard retains its colonial heritage; English and Jamaican Patois are commonly spoken and the culture in the Atlantic region identifies as being more Caribbean. In 1821, Nicaragua achieved its independence from Spain and joined the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823, later leaving the Federal Republic in 1838.[7] Nicaragua increasingly became a subject of substantial interest because of its geographic position for a canal that would service the Windward Passage.[8] Roughly a century after operations of the Panama Canal commenced and one hundred and eighty five years after the initial plans for the Nicaraguan Canal waterway, the prospect of a Nicaraguan ecocanal has remained the subject of interest, with its construction in progress.[9][10][11][12] Eighteen years after leaving the federal Republic it also became the center of William Walker's Golden Circle filibustering in Central America.[13][14][15] Since its independence, Nicaragua has undergone periods of political unrest, military intervention on behalf of the United States, dictatorship and fiscal crisis—the most notable causes that lead to the Nicaraguan Revolution. Although the Somoza family ruled the country in the form of a dictatorship for forty years, Nicaragua was among the first countries to sign the United Nations Charter in 1945.[16] Prior to the revolution, Nicaragua was one of Central America's wealthiest and most developed countries. The revolutionary conflict, paired with Nicaragua's 1972 earthquake reversed the country's prior economic standing. Despite the harsh economic effects of both phenomena, Nicaragua is a representative democratic republic which has experienced economic growth and political stability in recent years. In 1990, Nicaragua elected Violeta Chamorro as its president, making it the first country in the Americas and in Latin American history to democratically elect a female head of state and the second country in the Western Hemisphere to do so, following Iceland's democratic election of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. The population in Nicaragua, hovering at approximately 6 million, is multiethnic. Roughly one quarter of the nation's population lives in the capital city, Managua, making Managua the second largest city in Central America (following Guatemala City). Other major cities include León, Chinandega, Granada, Matagalpa and Jinotega. Segments of the population include indigenous native tribes from the Mosquito Coast, Europeans, Africans, Asians and people of Middle Eastern origin. The main language is Spanish, although native tribes on the eastern coast speak their native languages, such as Miskito, Sumo and Rama, as well as English Creole. Of the Spanish-speaking countries in Central America, Nicaragua is where the use of the voseo form of address is most widespread. The mixture of cultural traditions has generated substantial diversity in art, cuisine, literature, and music. Nicaragua has earned recognition and various colloquial names in reference to its geographic location, cultural achievements and recent economic development. Nicaragua's biological diversity, warm tropical climate, and active volcanoes make it an increasingly popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists.[17][18] The country has also been dubbed The Land of Poets, due to various literary contributions of renown Nicaraguan writers, including Rubén Darío, Ernesto Cardenal and Gioconda Belli.[19]
albums: 1
 
Panama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Republic of Panama República de Panamá (Spanish) Motto: "Pro Mundi Beneficio" (Latin) "For the Benefit of the World" Anthem: Himno Nacional de Panamá (Spanish) National anthem of Panama Capital (and largest city) Panama 8°58′N 79°32′W Official language(s) Spanish Demonym Panamanian Government Constitutional Democracy - President Ricardo Martinelli - Vice President Juan Carlos Varela Independence - from Spain 28 November 1821 - from Colombia 3 November 1903 Area - Total 75,517 km2 (118th) 29,157 sq mi - Water (%) 2.9 Population - May 2010 census 3,405,813 - Density 44.5/km2 (156th) 115.3/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate - Total $44.360 billion[1] - Per capita $12,577[1] GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate - Total $26.778 billion[1] - Per capita $7,592[1] Gini (2009) ▼52[2] (high) HDI (2010) 0.755[3] (high) (54th) Currency Balboa, U.S. dollar (PAB, USD) Time zone (UTC-5) Drives on the right ISO 3166 code PA Internet TLD .pa Calling code +507 Panama (i/ˈpænəmɑː/ pan-ə-mah; Spanish: Panamá), officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: República de Panamá [reˈpuβlika ðe panaˈma]), is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The capital is Panama City. Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Nueva Granada, Ecuador, and Venezuela – named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama and Nueva Granada stayed joined. Nueva Granada later became the Republic of Colombia. With the backing of the United States, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903, allowing the Panama Canal to be built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the United States to Panama by the end of the century.[4] Revenue from Canal tolls represent today a significant portion of Panama's GDP. Panama has the third or fourth largest economy in Central America and[5] it is also the fastest growing economy and the largest per capita consumer in Central America.[6][7] In 2010 Panama ranked 4th among Latin American countries in terms of the Human Development Index, and 54th in the world in 2010.[8] As of 2010, Panama is the second most competitive economy in Latin America as well according to the Global Competitiveness Index from the World Economic Forum (WEF). Panama has the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin and its jungle is home to an abundance of tropical plants, animals and birds – some of them to be found nowhere else in the world.[9]
albums: 4
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