Republic of Honduras

People

The population of Honduras is predominantly of Mestizo descent and Roman Catholic faith, but there are also several Evangelical denominations. Along the northern coast are communities of English speakers who have maintained their culture since Honduras was part of the British Empire. Groups of Garífuna live along the north coast, where there are also many Afro-Latin Americans. In the 20th century, Garífunas became part of Honduras' projected identity through theatrical presentations such as Louvavagu in order to help boost tourism. Asians in Honduras are mostly of Chinese and Japanese descent. Hundreds of families can find their roots in Lebanon or Palestine, in Middle Eastern families called "turcos". The so-called "Turcos" along with the Jewish minority population influence the Honduran economy and politics by having the highest income. Many others have connections to Spain, the United States (especially New Orleans, Florida and California) and the Cayman Islands. Even with all the "new-comers" in the country, the indigenous peoples of Honduras are widely scattered throughout the country. Tribes like Chortís (Mayan descent), Payas or Pech, Tolupanes or Xicaques/Jicaques, Lencas, Sumos or Tawahkas, and Olmecas. For the most part, these tribes live in extreme poverty due to their remote locations and uninterested government.

The patron saint of Honduras is the Virgin of Suyapa.

A Honduran can be called a Catracho or Catracha. The word is derived from the last name of Honduran General Florencio Xatruch, who led Honduran armed forces in defense of Honduran territories in 1857 against an attempted invasion led by North American filibuster William Walker. The nickname is considered complimentary, not derogatory.

One of Honduras' best known writers is Ramón Amaya Amador. Other writers include Roberto Sosa, Eduardo Bähr, Amanda Castro, Javier Abril Espinoza, and Roberto Quesada.

Oscar Andres Rodriguez is a Cardinal who was a potential candidate for Pope in the Papal conclave, 2005.

Not as famous as the cardinal, but also noteworthy, is Salvador Moncada, a world-renowned scientist with authorship of more than 12 highly cited papers, including his work on nitric oxide. His research on heart-related drugs includes the development of Viagra. Moncada works at the University College of London and funds an NGO in Tegucigalpa.

Honduras This Week is a weekly English language newspaper that has been published now for 17 years in Tegucigalpa.

The Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras runs the popular football league while the Honduras national football team represents the country internationally. Local teams include Club Deportivo Marathón, CD Motagua, Club Olimpia Deportivo, C.D. Platense and Real C.D. España.

Population:
	6,975,204
	note: estimates for this country 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 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
	0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,452,646/female 1,393,271)
	15-64 years: 55.5% (male 1,921,432/female 1,948,656)
	65 years and over: 3.7% (male 122,146/female 137,053) (2005 est.)
Median age:
	total: 19.15 years
	male: 18.75 years
	female: 19.56 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
	2.16% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
	30.38 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
	6.87 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
	-1.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
	under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
	15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
	65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
	total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
	total: 29.32 deaths/1,000 live births
	male: 32.84 deaths/1,000 live births
	female: 25.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
	total population: 69.3 years
	male: 67.71 years
	female: 70.97 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:
	3.87 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
	1.8% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
	63,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
	4,100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
	noun: Honduran(s)
	adjective: Honduran
Ethnic groups:
	mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%
Religions:
	Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%
Languages:
	Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Literacy:
	definition: age 15 and over can read and write
	total population: 76.2%
	male: 76.1%
	female: 76.3% (2003 est.)