ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: (May 25, 2005) A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Honduras.  A visa is not required, but tourists must provide evidence of return or onward travel.  Parents should not rely on birth certificates for travel of their children; rather, they should obtain U.S. passports for infants and minors born in the U.S. prior to travel.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a photocopy of their U.S. passports with them at all times so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.  On departure, visitors are required to pay an exit fee, either in dollars or in local currency.  The current fee for international departures is $27 per visit, plus an additional $3 agricultural inspection fee.  These fees are subject to change.(*) (Top)

HEALTH INFORMATION:  Medical care in Honduras varies greatly in quality and availability.  Support staff facilities and necessary equipment and supplies are not up to U.S. standards.  Facilities for advanced surgical procedures are not available.  The Bay Islands of Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja do not have a general surgery hospital.  Travelers carrying prescription medicine should ensure that the medication is clearly labeled. Visitors to Honduras are at risk for gastrointestinal illnesses and insect-borne diseases. (Top)

CRIME: Crime is endemic in Honduras and requires a high degree of caution by U.S. visitors and residents alike. Many men in Honduras carry firearms and machetes, and disputes are often settled with violence. The Honduran government has instituted a “zero tolerance” policy on crime.  As part of this policy, the police patrol jointly with armed soldiers in major cities in an effort to reduce crime.(*)

PEOPLE (September 2004)
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Honduran(s).
Population (2004 est.): 6.8 million.
Growth rate (2004 est.): 2.24%.
Ethnic groups: 90% mestizo (mixed Indian and European); others of European, Arab, African, or Asian ancestry; and indigenous Indians.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant minority.
Language: Spanish.
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--88% overall, 31% at junior high level. Literacy--76.2%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--29.64/1,000. Life expectancy--66.2 yrs.
Work force: Services--42.2%; natural resources/agriculture--35.9%; manufacturing--16.3%; construction/housing--5.6%.(Top)

GOVERNMENT
Type: Democratic constitutional republic.
Independence: September 15, 1821.
Constitution: 1982; amended 1999.
Branches: Executive--president, directly elected to 4-year term. Legislative--unicameral National Congress, elected for 4-year term. Judicial--Supreme Court of Justice (appointed by Congress and confirmed by the president); several lower courts.
Political parties: National Party, Liberal Party, Innovation and National Unity Party, Christian Democratic Party, and the Democratic Unification Party.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory at age 18.
Administrative subdivisions: 18 departments. (*) (Top)

GEOGRAPHY
Area: 112,090 sq. km. (43,278 sq. mi.); about the size of Louisiana.
Cities: Capital--Tegucigalpa (1,150,000); San Pedro Sula (800,000-900,000).
Terrain: Mountainous.
Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation.(Top)

ECONOMY
GDP: $17.46 billion.
Growth rate: 2.5%.
Per capita GDP: $2,600.
Natural resources: Arable land, forests, minerals, and fisheries.
Agriculture (11% of GDP): Products--coffee, bananas, shrimp and lobster, sugar, fruits, basic grains, and livestock.
Manufacturing (18% of GDP): Types--textiles and apparel, cement, wood products, cigars, and foodstuffs.
Trade: Exports--$1.37 billion: apparel, coffee, shrimp, bananas, palm oil, gold, zinc/lead concentrates, soap/detergents, melons, lobster, pineapple, lumber, sugar, and tobacco. Major market--U.S. (69%). Imports--$3.11 billion: fabrics, yarn, machinery, chemicals, petroleum, vehicles, processed foods, metals, agricultural products, plastic articles, and paper articles. Major source--U.S. (53%).(*) (Top)