Date of independence, or formation date: 1838
Date when current borders were established: 1838
National day: Sept 15
Vehicle country identifying code: HN
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): -6
International telephone dialling code: +504
Internet country identifying code: .hn

Most of Honduras is mountainous terrain, with a small sheltered Pacific coast to the south and a broad Caribbean shoreline to the north, including part of the virtually uninhabited Mosquito Coast. After a succession of military governments it returned to full civilian rule in 1984. In 1998 Honduras was devastated by Hurricane Mitch, which resulted in the death of at least 5600 people and damage estimated at some $3 billion.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004