25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
Religions
Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Languages
Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
lempiras (HNL) per US dollar - 18.983 (2008 est.), 18.9 (2007), 18.895 (2006), 18.92 (2005), 18.206 (2004)
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.600%
8.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Area
112,090 km sq
89,342 km sq
Coastline
820 km
26 km
Climate
subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
