Hondurans
Encyclopedia
Hondurans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Honduras
. Most Hondurans live in Honduras, although there is also a significant Honduran diaspora
, particularly in the United States
with smaller communities in other countries around the world. There are also people living in Honduras who are not Hondurans because they were not born or raised in Honduras nor have they gained citizenship
.
returned from battle with his soldiers after defeating American freebooter
s commanded by William Walker, whose purpose was to re-establish slavery and take over all of Central America
. As the general and his soldiers returned, some Nicaraguans yelled out , meaning "Here come Xatruch's boys!" However, Nicaraguans had so much trouble pronouncing the general's last name that they altered the phrase to and ultimately settled on .
n urban agglomeration
, after Guatemala City, Managua, and San Salvador.
(1.2 million), Yoro
(466,000), Olancho (420,000), Choluteca (391,000) and Comayagua
(353,000). The least populous are Islas de la Bahia and Gracias a Dios.
According to the same source, the main cities are: Tegucigalpa
(894,000-Central District only), San Pedro Sula
(517,000), Choloma
(160,000), La Ceiba
(140,000), El Progreso
(106,000), Choluteca, Comayagua, Puerto Cortés
, La Lima
and Danlí. However, the main metropolitan areas are Tegucigalpa (1,200,000-est. 2007-) and San Pedro Sula (900,000). Between the 1988 and 2001 Census, San Pedro Sula's population doubled. The country has 20 cities with more than 20,000 inhabitants.
or white (a mixture of Amerindian, and European)
Amerindians make up the largest minority ethnic group, with 7% of the population, or over 520,000. The Amerindian population consists of seven indigenous groups recognized by the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras (CONPAH) and the government of Honduras, among them they recognize the Afro-Caribbean and Garífuna groups which are not Amerindian. The seven indigenous groups are: the Ch'orti'
, a Mayan group living in the northwest on the border with Guatemala
; the Garifuna speaking a Carib language
., they live along the entire Caribbean coastline of Honduras, and in the Bay Islands; the Pech or Paya Indians living in a small area in the Olancho department; the Tolupan
(also called Jicaque, "Xicaque", or Tol), living in the Department of Yoro and in the reserve of the Montaña de la Flor and parts of the department of Yoro; the Lenca Indians living in the Valle and Choluteca departments; and the Miskito Indians living on the northeast coast along the border with Nicaragua
.
Approximately 5%, up to 350,000, of Honduras's population is black, or Afro-Honduran, and mainly reside on the country's Caribbean or Atlantic coast. The black population comes from a number of sources. Most are the descendants of the West Indian islands brought to Honduras as slaves and indentured servants. Another large group are the Garífuna
, descendants of an Afro-Carib population which revolted against British authorities on the island of St. Vincent
and were forcibly moved to Belize and Honduras during the 18th century. Garífunas are part of Honduran identity through theatrical presentations such as Louvavagu.
The smallest ethnic group in Honduras are the whites. Honduras contains the smallest white population in the region with only 1% of the population classified as white, up to 75,000.
and Lebanese
descent). The Palestinians and Lebanese arrived in the country in the late 19th century and early 20th century, establishing themselves especially in the city of San Pedro Sula. There are other families that settled in Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba and El Progreso. The Palestinian community, well integrated in Honduras, is prominent in business, commerce, banking, industry, and politics. They are popularly known as turcos (Turks) as they came with Turkish
passport.
Also present in an East Asian community that is primarily of Chinese
descent, and to a lesser extent Japanese
. Korean
, Ryukyuan, Vietnamese
also make up a small percentage due to their arrival to Honduras as contract laborers in the 1980s and 1990s.
Honduras
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...
. Most Hondurans live in Honduras, although there is also a significant Honduran diaspora
Honduran diaspora
Since 1975, emigration from Honduras has accelerated as job-seekers and political refugees seek better life elsewhere. Although many Hondurans have relatives in Nicaragua, Spain, Mexico, El Salvador and Canada, the majority of Hondurans living abroad are in the United States.According to the U.S...
, particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with smaller communities in other countries around the world. There are also people living in Honduras who are not Hondurans because they were not born or raised in Honduras nor have they gained citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
.
Catracho
Central Americans refer to a person from Honduras as a . The term was coined by Nicaraguans in the mid-19th century when Honduran General Florencio XatruchFlorencio Xatruch
Florencio Xatruch , was a General who led the Honduran expeditionary force against William Walker in Nicaragua in 1856.- Life :Florencio Xatruch was born in San Antonio de Oriente, Honduras...
returned from battle with his soldiers after defeating American freebooter
Filibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
s commanded by William Walker, whose purpose was to re-establish slavery and take over all of Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. As the general and his soldiers returned, some Nicaraguans yelled out , meaning "Here come Xatruch's boys!" However, Nicaraguans had so much trouble pronouncing the general's last name that they altered the phrase to and ultimately settled on .
Demographics
Honduras is the only Central American country whose second most important city has half the population of the capital city. Considering metropolitan areas only, the Honduran capital is the fourth largest Central AmericaCentral America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
n urban agglomeration
Agglomeration
In the study of human settlements, an urban agglomeration is an extended city or town area comprising the built-up area of a central place and any suburbs linked by continuous urban area. In France, INSEE the French Statistical Institute, translate it as "Unité urbaine" which means continuous...
, after Guatemala City, Managua, and San Salvador.
Population
Honduras has a population of 7.48 million. According to Honduras' 2001 Census of Population, the most populous Departments are: Cortés (1.2 million), Francisco MorazánFrancisco Morazán
General Francisco Morazán was a Honduran general and a politician who ruled several Central American states at different times during the turbulent period from 1827 to 1842. He rose to prominence at the legendary Battle of La Trinidad on November 11, 1827...
(1.2 million), Yoro
Yoro
Yoro is the capital city of the Yoro department of Honduras....
(466,000), Olancho (420,000), Choluteca (391,000) and Comayagua
Comayagua
Comayagua is a city in Honduras, some 80 km northwest of Tegucigalpa on the highway to San Pedro Sula at an elevation of 594 meters above sea level. In 2003 the estimated population was 60,000 people. It is the capital of the Comayagua department of Honduras. The city is noted for its wealth...
(353,000). The least populous are Islas de la Bahia and Gracias a Dios.
According to the same source, the main cities are: Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa , and commonly referred as Tegus , is the capital of Honduras and seat of government of the Republic, along with its twin sister Comayagüela. Founded on September 29, 1578 by the Spanish, it became the country's capital on October 30, 1880 under President Marco Aurelio Soto...
(894,000-Central District only), San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula
San Pedro Sula is a city in Honduras. It is located in the northwest corner of the country, in the Valle de Sula , about 60 km south of Puerto Cortés on the Caribbean. With an estimated population of 638,259 people in the main municipality, and 802,598 in its metro area , it is the second...
(517,000), Choloma
Choloma
Choloma is a municipality in the Honduran department of Cortés. The mayor is Polo Crivelli. It is now the third largest city in Honduras.Many factories are stationed in Choloma due to cheap labor which has helped the municipality's economy. As a result of this fast food joints like Pizza Hut,...
(160,000), La Ceiba
La Ceiba
La Ceiba is a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. It is located on the southern edge of the Caribbean, forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras...
(140,000), El Progreso
El Progreso
The municipality of El Progreso is located in the Honduran department of Yoro. Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport of San Pedro Sula is located west of the city. To the east of the city is the mountain range of Mico Quemado ....
(106,000), Choluteca, Comayagua, Puerto Cortés
Puerto Cortés
-Geography:It is on the Caribbean Sea coast, north of San Pedro Sula and east of Omoa, at 15.85° N, 87.94° W. It has a natural bay.It is Honduras's main sea port and it is considered the most important seaport in Central America...
, La Lima
La Lima
La Lima is a municipality in the Honduran department of Cortés. It is home to the corporate headquarters of the Tela Railroad Company, a subsidiary of Chiquita. The city is divided into two halves, La Lima Vieja, located on the western side of the Chamelecon River, and La Lima Nueva, located on...
and Danlí. However, the main metropolitan areas are Tegucigalpa (1,200,000-est. 2007-) and San Pedro Sula (900,000). Between the 1988 and 2001 Census, San Pedro Sula's population doubled. The country has 20 cities with more than 20,000 inhabitants.
Ethnic groups
The majority of the Honduran population is mestizoMestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
or white (a mixture of Amerindian, and European)
Amerindians make up the largest minority ethnic group, with 7% of the population, or over 520,000. The Amerindian population consists of seven indigenous groups recognized by the Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras (CONPAH) and the government of Honduras, among them they recognize the Afro-Caribbean and Garífuna groups which are not Amerindian. The seven indigenous groups are: the Ch'orti'
Ch'orti' people
The Ch'orti' people are one of the indigenous Maya peoples, who primarily reside in communities and towns of southeastern Guatemala, northwestern Honduras, and northern El Salvador. Their indigenous language, also known as Ch'orti', is a survival of Classic Choltian, the language of the...
, a Mayan group living in the northwest on the border with Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala 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...
; the Garifuna speaking a Carib language
Carib language
Carib, also known as Caribe, Cariña, Galibi, Galibí, Kali'na, Kalihna, Kalinya, Galibi Carib, Maraworno and Marworno, is an Amerindian language in the Cariban language family....
., they live along the entire Caribbean coastline of Honduras, and in the Bay Islands; the Pech or Paya Indians living in a small area in the Olancho department; the Tolupan
Tolupan people
The Tolupan or Jicaque people is an indigenous ethnic group of Honduras primarily inhabiting the community La Montaña del Flor in central Honduras.- Anthropological references :...
(also called Jicaque, "Xicaque", or Tol), living in the Department of Yoro and in the reserve of the Montaña de la Flor and parts of the department of Yoro; the Lenca Indians living in the Valle and Choluteca departments; and the Miskito Indians living on the northeast coast along the border with Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. 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...
.
Approximately 5%, up to 350,000, of Honduras's population is black, or Afro-Honduran, and mainly reside on the country's Caribbean or Atlantic coast. The black population comes from a number of sources. Most are the descendants of the West Indian islands brought to Honduras as slaves and indentured servants. Another large group are the Garífuna
Garifuna
The Garinagu are descendants of Carib, Arawak and West African people. The British colonial administration used the term Black Carib and Garinagu to distinguish them from Yellow and Red Carib, the Amerindian population that did not intermarry with Africans...
, descendants of an Afro-Carib population which revolted against British authorities on the island of St. Vincent
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean....
and were forcibly moved to Belize and Honduras during the 18th century. Garífunas are part of Honduran identity through theatrical presentations such as Louvavagu.
The smallest ethnic group in Honduras are the whites. Honduras contains the smallest white population in the region with only 1% of the population classified as white, up to 75,000.
Immigration
Honduras hosts a significant Arab community (the vast majority of whom are Christian Arabs of PalestinianPalestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
and Lebanese
Lebanese people
The Lebanese people are a nation and ethnic group of Levantine people originating in what is today the country of Lebanon, including those who had inhabited Mount Lebanon prior to the creation of the modern Lebanese state....
descent). The Palestinians and Lebanese arrived in the country in the late 19th century and early 20th century, establishing themselves especially in the city of San Pedro Sula. There are other families that settled in Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba and El Progreso. The Palestinian community, well integrated in Honduras, is prominent in business, commerce, banking, industry, and politics. They are popularly known as turcos (Turks) as they came with Turkish
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
passport.
Also present in an East Asian community that is primarily of Chinese
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
descent, and to a lesser extent Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
. Korean
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
, Ryukyuan, Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
also make up a small percentage due to their arrival to Honduras as contract laborers in the 1980s and 1990s.