In 2002, Honduras was a country characterized by poverty and inequality. The majority of the population lived in rural areas and relied on subsistence farming for their livelihoods. The economy was largely dependent on exports of coffee, bananas and other agricultural products. In addition, the country relied heavily on foreign aid from the United States and other countries to support its development projects. According to computerannals, Honduras had one of the highest rates of deforestation in Central America due to illegal logging activities. Political instability and corruption were also prevalent in the country. Despite these challenges, there were some signs of progress such as increased access to healthcare and education as well as a growing middle class. In 2002, Honduras had a population of 6 million people with an estimated GDP per capita of $1,500 USD. Poverty levels were still high with almost half the population living below the poverty line but there was some hope that economic growth would help improve these conditions over time.

Yearbook 2002

Honduras. According to Countryaah website, national day of Honduras is every September 15. The already high crime rate in the country was renewed by the spectacular kidnapping on May 18 by former Finance Minister Reginaldo Panting, who was later found murdered. President Ricardo Maduro won the presidential election last November on a political program that prioritized law enforcement.

Disaster status was issued in Honduras since five children died in an epidemic of dengue fever, a disease that is fatal if not adequate emergency care is applied. In May, 100,000 people in eastern Honduras were also hit by torrents and floods, which made it more difficult to fight the dengue fever epidemic because the disease is spread through mosquitoes that are in stagnant water.

In May 2005, the children’s organization Casa Alianza presented material showing that 10,000 Honduran minors of both sexes who had tried to illegally travel to the United States were sexually exploited in Mexico and elsewhere in Central America. Organized gangs abduct children to exploit them sexually in bars, nightclubs and massage parlors. Corruption, shyness, impunity, indifference and public awareness contribute to thousands of minors being injured on life and soul. Although Honduras’ children’s law states that minors must go to school to learn what it takes to create a better future, 350,000 children between the ages of 10 and 17 are forced to leave school each year and 140,000 work in home. ILO statistics show that 20,000 Honduran girls work as maids, and that 5, 1% of these have been sexually assaulted. Other minors work in agriculture, commerce, industry, services, construction, transportation, mines or banks.

The presidential election in late December was won by Manuel Zelaya, of the Partido Liberal who until then had been in opposition. The new president took over a country that is the second poorest in Central America and the third poorest in the continent – after Haiti and Nicaragua. Six out of ten Hondurans live in poverty and four out of ten in dub poverty, where they are predominantly dependent on the informal economy or money sent home from family members abroad. Although Honduras has been relinquished part of its foreign debt towards its use in the fight against poverty, poor Hondurans are yet to experience their living situation improved.

Despite massive protests, in March 2006 Honduras became the second country in Central America – after El Salvador – to sign a free trade agreement with the United States.

The government announced in January 2007 that it was temporarily taking control of the country’s gas stations. The decision was made after the government failed to enter into an agreement with Chevron and Exxon Mobil, but according to. Zelaya was not about nationalization but only a temporary step.

In July 2008, Honduras was included in the Latin American ALBA collaboration, which encompasses a wide range of countries in the region.

Honduras Country Overview

According to ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG, HND stands for Honduras.

Visa
Finns do not need a visa for a trip of less than 30 days.

NOTE. The passport must be valid for 6 months from arrival in the country.

Exit
fee There is no exit fee for leaving Honduras. However, local authorities may charge for the information without separate information.

Insurance
Everyone participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.

Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations
Please check your destination for yellow fever vaccination requirements well in advance of your trip, for example here. An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required when traveling to some countries. Please also note that in some countries a vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is considered to occur. This is important to consider especially when traveling across multiple states. We recommend that you keep a vaccination card with you when traveling far away.

Climate
Honduras has a tropical climate. The average temperature of the interior is approx. +22 ° C all year round. Coastal areas are wetter and the average annual temperature is also a few degrees higher. The dry season is from November to May.

Electrical current
Honduras has an electrical current of 110 V. An adapter is required for equipment used in Finnish sockets.

Mobile phones
Check with your operator for the coverage of your mobile phone. Honduras area code is +504.

Time difference
The time difference to Honduras is -8 hours in winter and -9 hours in summer.