Editing Central America

{{Short description|Subregion of North America}}
{{Hatnote group|
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Middle America (Americas)|Central United States}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox Continent
|title = Central America
|image = Central America (configurable orthographic projection).svg
|area = {{cvt|523780|km2|sqmi}}{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
|population = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 52,700,000 (2023){{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
|density = {{pop density|52700000|523780|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} (2023)
|demonym = Central American{{efn|{{langx|es|centroamericano}}}}
|GDP_PPP = $738.8 billion (2023)
|GDP_nominal = $362.62 billion ([[exchange rate]]) (2023)
|GDP_per_capita = $6,880 (exchange rate) (2023)<br />$14,019 ([[purchasing power parity|PPP]]) (2023)
|countries = {{Collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title      = [[#Definitions|7–8]]
 |[[Belize]]
 |[[Costa Rica]]{{efn|Including [[Cocos Island]], one of the [[Central American Pacific Islands]].}}
 |[[El Salvador]]
 |[[Guatemala]]
 |[[Honduras]]
 |[[Mexico]]{{efn|The [[United Nations geoscheme]] includes [[Mexico]] in Central America, but the country is not universally considered to be a part of Central America among other [[list of geographical societies|geographical societies]].}}
 |[[Nicaragua]]
 |[[Panama]]
 }}
|dependencies = {{Collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title      = [[Dependent territory|External]] (1)
 |[[Clipperton Island]]{{efn|One of the [[Central American Pacific Islands]].|name=Central American Pacific Islands}} ([[France]])
 }}
 {{Collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title      = [[List of administrative divisions by country|Internal]] (2)
 |[[Valle del Cauca]], [[Malpelo Island]]{{efn|name=Central American Pacific Islands}} ([[Colombia]])
 |[[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]]{{efn|Comprising two remote [[archipelago|island groups]] off the coast of Central America.}} ([[Colombia]])
 }}
 {{Collapsible list
 |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
 |title      = [[List of territorial disputes|Disputed]] (2)
 | [[Bajo Nuevo Bank]]{{efn|Administered by [[Colombia]], claimed by [[Jamaica]] and the [[United States]].}}
 |[[Serranilla Bank]]{{efn|Administered by [[Colombia]], claimed by [[Honduras]], [[Jamaica]], and the United States.}}
 }}
|languages = {{Plainlist|
* [[Caribbean English|English]]
* [[Central American Spanish|Spanish]] 
* [[Mayan languages|Mayan]]
* [[Miskito language|Miskito]]
* [[Garifuna language|Garifuna]]
* [[Belizean Creole|Kriol]]
* [[Bay Islands English| Bay Island Creole]]
* [[Limonese Creole|Mekatelyu]]
* [[Miskito Coast Creole|Honduran and Nicaraguan Miskito Creole]]
* [[Mesoamerican languages|Others]]
 }}
|time = [[UTC−06:00]] to [[UTC−05:00]]
|cities = {{Unbulleted list
|[[Guatemala City]]<!--1,104,890-->
| [[San Salvador]] <!--2,000,000-->
|[[Managua]]<!--2,201,000-->
| [[Tegucigalpa]]<!--1,126,534-->
| [[Panama City]]<!--880,691--><!--540,898-->
| [[San Pedro Sula]]<!--538,101-->
| [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]<!--347,281-->
| [[San Miguelito District|San Miguelito]]<!--293,745-->
| [[Santa Ana, El Salvador|Santa Ana]]<!--245,241-->
| [[San Miguel, El Salvador|San Miguel]]<!--221,783-->
 }}
|m49 = <code>013</code> – Central America<br /><code>419</code> – [[Latin America and the Caribbean]]<br /><code>019</code> – [[Americas]]<br /><code>001</code> – World
}}

{{Central America series}}

'''Central America'''{{efn|{{langx|es|América Central}} {{IPA|es|aˈmeɾika senˈtɾal||Es-pe - América central.ogg}} or {{lang|es|Centroamérica}} {{IPA|es|sentɾoaˈmeɾika||Es-pe - Centroamérica.ogg}}}} is a [[Subregion#North America|subregion]] of [[North America]]. Its political boundaries are defined as bordering [[Mexico]] to the north, [[Colombia]] to the southeast, the [[Caribbean]] to the east, and the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the southwest. Central America is usually defined as consisting of seven countries: [[Belize]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Panama]]. Within Central America is the [[Mesoamerica]]n [[biodiversity hotspot]], which extends from southern Mexico to southeastern Panama. Due to the presence of several [[active fault|active geologic faults]] and the [[Central America Volcanic Arc]], there is a high amount of seismic activity in the region, such as [[volcanic eruption]]s and earthquakes, which has resulted in death, injury, and property damage.

Most of Central America falls under the [[Isthmo-Colombian Area|Isthmo-Colombian]] cultural area. Before the Spanish expedition of [[Christopher Columbus]]' voyages to the [[Americas]], hundreds of indigenous peoples made their homes in the area. From the year 1502 onwards, Spain began their [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonization]]. From 1609 to 1821, the majority of Central American territories (except for what would become Belize and Panama and including the modern Mexican state of [[Chiapas]]) were governed by the viceroyalty of [[New Spain]] from [[Mexico City]] as the [[Captaincy General of Guatemala]]. On 24 August 1821, Spanish Viceroy [[Juan O'Donojú|Juan de O'Donojú]] signed the [[Treaty of Córdoba]], which established New Spain's independence and autonomy from mainland Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spain-accepts-mexican-independence|title=Spain accepts Mexican independence|website=HISTORY|date=9 February 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-03}}</ref> On 15 September, the [[Act of Independence of Central America]] was enacted to announce Central America's separation from the [[Spanish Empire]]. Some of New Spain's provinces in the Central American region were invaded and annexed to the [[First Mexican Empire]]; however in 1823 they seceded from Mexico to form the [[Federal Republic of Central America]] until 1838.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ribeiro|first=Pedro Freire|title=Raízes do pensamento político da América Espanhola, 1780–1826|date=1995|publisher=Editora da Universidade Federal Fluminense|isbn=85-228-0146-0|location=Niterói, RJ|oclc=35578070}}</ref>

In 1838, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua became the first of Central America's seven states to become independent countries, followed by El Salvador in 1841, Panama in 1903, and Belize in 1981.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/countries/belize|title=A Guide to the United States'History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consumer Relations, by Country, since 1776: Belize|website=Office of The Historian|language=en|access-date=2021-02-17}}</ref> Despite the dissolution of the [[Federal Republic of Central America]], the five remaining countries, save for Panama and Belize, all preserved and maintained a Central American identity.<ref>[https://www.rand.org/pubs/conf_proceedings/CF135.html Demographic Diversity and Change in the Central American Isthmus]. Pebley, Anne R. and Luis Rosero-Bixby, eds., Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1997. Also available in print form.</ref>

The [[list of countries and territories where Spanish is an official language|Spanish-speaking countries]] officially include both North America and [[South America]] as a single continent, {{Lang|es|[[Americas|América]]}}, which is split into four subregions: Central America, [[Caribbean|The Caribbean]] (a.k.a. the [[West Indies]]), North America ([[Mexico]] and [[Northern America]]), and South America.

== Definitions ==
[[File:Flag-map of Central America.svg|thumb|[[Belize]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Panama]] are traditionally the seven Central American countries in [[political geography]].]]

"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:

* The [[United Nations geoscheme for the Americas]] defines ''Central America'' as all states of mainland North America south of the United States, hence grouping Mexico as a part of Central America for statistics purposes, but historically and politically Mexico is considered North American.<ref name=UN2017 />
* [[Middle America (Americas)|Middle America]] is usually thought to comprise [[Mexico]] in the north and the seven states of ''Central America'' in the south, as well as the [[Caribbean]] in the east. [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]] of [[Caribbean South America]] are sometimes included in this subregion. The [[Caribbean]] is occasionally excluded from this subregion while [[The Guianas]] are infrequently included. According to one source, the term "Central America" was used as a synonym for "[[Middle America (Americas)|Middle America]]" at least as recently as 1962.<ref name=Augelli1962 />
* In [[Ibero-America]] (Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking American countries), the [[Americas]] are considered a single continent (América), and Central America is considered a [[subregion]] of the [[Americas|continent]] comprising the seven countries south of Mexico and north of Colombia.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} 
* For the people living in the five countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, formerly parts of the [[Federal Republic of Central America]], there is a distinction between the Spanish language terms "América Central" and "Centroamérica". While both can be translated into English as "Central America", "América Central" is generally used to refer to the geographical area of the seven countries between [[Mexico]] and [[Colombia]], while "Centroamérica" is used when referring to the former members of the Federation emphasizing the shared culture and history of the region.{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}} 
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] as a rule and occasionally in Spanish and other languages, the entirety of the [[Antilles]] is often included in the definition of Central America. Indeed, the [[Dominican Republic]] is a full member of the [[Central American Integration System]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2019}}

== History ==
{{Main|History of Central America}}
<gallery style="line-height:130%" caption="Ancient sites of Central America">
File:Tikal Temple1 2006 08 11.JPG|[[Tikal]], Guatemala
File:HuellasdeAcahualinca.jpg|[[Ancient footprints of Acahualinca]], Nicaragua
File:Stone spheres of Costa Rica. Museo Nacional.jpg|[[Stone spheres of Costa Rica]]
File:Tazumal 10.jpg|[[Tazumal]], El Salvador
File:Copan HG-Treppe.jpg|[[Copan]], Honduras
File:Altun Ha Belize.jpg|[[Altun Ha]], Belize
</gallery>
[[File:Carta de los Estados de Centro-America. LOC 99466745.jpg|thumb|left|Central America, 1862]]
[[File:Proclama de libertad (indep. Centroamérica).jpg|thumb|Painting of the First Independence Movement celebration in [[San Salvador]] 1811]]
[[File:Firma del Acta de Independencia de Centroamérica.jpg|thumb|Painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of Central America, Guatemala, 1821]]
  [[File:Próceres de la independencia Centroamérica.png|thumb|Heroes of Central American Independence]] Central America was formed more than 3 million years ago, as part of the [[Isthmus of Panama]], when its portion of land connected each side of water.

In the [[Pre-Columbian era]], the northern areas of Central America were inhabited by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] peoples of [[Mesoamerica]]. Most notable among these were the [[Maya peoples|Mayans]], who had built numerous cities throughout the region, and the [[Aztec]]s, who had created a vast empire. The pre-Columbian cultures of eastern El Salvador, eastern Honduras, Caribbean Nicaragua, most of Costa Rica and Panama were predominantly speakers of the [[Chibchan languages]] at the time of European contact and are considered by some<ref name="Hoopes&Fonseca2003" /> culturally different and grouped in the [[Isthmo-Colombian Area]].

Following the Spanish expedition of [[Christopher Columbus]]'s voyages to the Americas, the Spanish sent many expeditions to the region, and they began their conquest of [[Maya civilization|Maya territory]] in 1523. Soon after the [[Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire|conquest of the Aztec Empire]], Spanish [[conquistador]] [[Pedro de Alvarado]] commenced the [[Spanish conquest of Guatemala|conquest of northern Central America]] for the [[Spanish Empire]]. Beginning with his arrival in [[Soconusco]] in 1523, Alvarado's forces systematically conquered and subjugated most of the major Maya kingdoms, including the [[K'iche' Kingdom of Q'umarkaj|K'iche']], [[Tz'utujil people|Tz'utujil]], [[Pipil people|Pipil]], and the [[Kaqchikel people|Kaqchikel]]. By 1528, the conquest of Guatemala was nearly complete, with only the [[Petén Basin]] remaining outside the Spanish sphere of influence. The last independent Maya kingdoms – the [[Kowoj]] and the [[Itza people]] – were finally defeated in 1697, as part of the [[Spanish conquest of Petén]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Grant D. |title=The Conquest of the Last Maya Kingdom |date=1998 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=978-0804735223 |page=xix |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PeOWl54Mt7UC&pg=PR19 |access-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>

In 1538, Spain established the [[Real Audiencia of Panama#First installation|Real Audiencia of Panama]], which had jurisdiction over all land from the [[Strait of Magellan]] to the [[Gulf of Fonseca]]. This entity was dissolved in 1543, and most of the territory within Central America then fell under the jurisdiction of the ''[[Real Audiencia of Guatemala|Audiencia Real de Guatemala]]''. This area included the current territories of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Mexican state of [[Chiapas]], but excluded the lands that would become Belize and Panama. The president of the Audiencia, which had its seat in [[Antigua Guatemala]], was the governor of the entire area. In 1609 the area became a [[Captaincies of the Spanish Empire|captaincy general]] and the governor was also granted the title of captain general. The [[Captaincy General of Guatemala]] encompassed most of Central America, with the exception of [[British Honduras|present-day Belize]] and Panama.

The Captaincy General of Guatemala lasted for more than two centuries, but began to fray after a [[1811 Independence Movement|rebellion in 1811]] which began in the [[Intendancy of San Salvador]]. The Captaincy General formally ended on 15 September 1821, with the signing of the [[Act of Independence of Central America]]. Mexican independence was achieved at virtually the same time with the signing of the [[Treaty of Córdoba]] and the [[Declaration of Independence of the Mexican Empire]], and the entire region was finally independent from Spanish authority by 28 September 1821.

[[File:Manuel José Arce de El Salvador.jpg|thumb|left|General [[Manuel José Arce]]; decorated [[Salvadoran]] General and president of the [[Federal Republic of Central America]] from 1825 to 1829]]
[[File:Salcoatitán, El Salvador - panoramio (9).jpg|thumb|The five rowed volcanos in the coat of arms of Central America was inspired by the [[Cordillera de Apaneca]] volcanic range of El Salvador, visible from the city of [[Sonsonate]], which became the capital of the [[Federal Republic of Central America]] in 1834.]]
[[File:Unidas Del Centro de America Provincias Plaque.jpg|thumb|Monument honoring the emblem of the United Provinces of Central America]]
[[File:Bandera Militar de las Provincias Unidas del Centro de América.png|thumb|left|The historic military flag of the United Provinces of Central America with the national motto (God. Union. Liberty.) and the National Battalion initials (B.N.) in golden amber color]]
From its independence from Spain in 1821 until 1823, the former Captaincy General [[Central America under Mexican rule|remained intact as part]] of the short-lived [[First Mexican Empire]]. When the [[Agustín de Iturbide|Emperor of Mexico]] abdicated on 19 March 1823, Central America again became independent. On 1 July 1823, the Congress of Central America peacefully seceded from Mexico and declared absolute independence from all foreign nations, and the region formed the [[Federal Republic of Central America]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

The Federal Republic of Central America, initially known as the United Provinces of Central America, was a sovereign state that existed from 1823 to 1840. It was composed of five states: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. The federation was established after these regions declared independence from Spain in 1821 and briefly joined the Mexican Empire before breaking away to form their own union. The republic adopted a constitution in 1824, which was inspired by the federal system of the United States. It provided for a federal capital, initially located in Guatemala City, and a president for each of the five constituent states. The constitution abolished slavery and maintained the privileges of the Roman Catholic Church, while restricting suffrage to the upper classes.<ref>{{cite web
| title = United Provinces of Central America
| website = Encyclopædia Britannica
| url = https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Provinces-of-Central-America
| access-date = 2025-02-03
| publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
}}</ref>

The territory that now makes up Belize was heavily contested in a dispute that continued for decades after Guatemala achieved independence. Spain, and later Guatemala, considered this land a [[Departments of Guatemala|Guatemalan department]]. In 1862, Britain formally declared it a British colony and named it [[British Honduras]]. It became independent as Belize in 1981.<ref name="auto"/>

Panama, situated in the southernmost part of Central America on the [[Isthmus of Panama]], has for most of its history been culturally and politically linked to South America. Panama was part of the [[Province of Tierra Firme]] from 1510 until 1538 when it came under the jurisdiction of the newly formed ''Audiencia Real de Panama''. Beginning in 1543, Panama was administered as part of the [[Viceroyalty of Peru]], along with all other Spanish possessions in South America. Panama remained as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru until 1739, when it was transferred to the [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]], the capital of which was located at [[Bogotá|Santa Fé de Bogotá]]. Panama remained as part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada until the disestablishment of that viceroyalty in 1819. A series of [[Bolívar's campaign to liberate New Granada|military and political struggles]] took place from that time until 1822, the result of which produced the republic of [[Gran Colombia]]. After the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830, Panama became part of a successor state, the [[Republic of New Granada]]. From 1855 until 1886, Panama existed as [[Panama State]], first within the Republic of New Granada, then within the [[Granadine Confederation]], and finally within the [[United States of Colombia]]. The United States of Colombia was replaced by the [[Colombia|Republic of Colombia]] in 1886. As part of the Republic of Colombia, Panama State was abolished and it became the [[Isthmus Department]]. Despite the many political reorganizations, Colombia was still deeply plagued by conflict, which eventually led to the [[Separation of Panama from Colombia|secession of Panama]] on 3 November 1903. Only after that time did some begin to regard Panama as a North or Central American entity.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

By the 1930s the [[United Fruit Company]] owned {{convert|3.5|e6acre|km2|order=flip|abbr=off}} of land in Central America and the Caribbean and was the single largest land owner in Guatemala. Such holdings gave it great power over the governments of small countries. That was one of the factors that led to the coining of the phrase [[banana republic]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Livingstone|first=Grace|title=America's Backyard: The United States and Latin America from the Monroe Doctrine to the War on Terror|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WH5jDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT31|year=2013|publisher=Zed Books Ltd.|isbn=978-1-84813-611-3|page=31}}</ref>

After more than two hundred years of social unrest, violent conflict, and revolution, Central America today remains in a period of political transformation. Poverty, social injustice, and violence are still widespread.<ref name=Argueta2011 /> Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, after Haiti.<ref name=ticotimes />

===Flags of modern Central America===
<gallery>
File:Flag of Guatemala.svg|[[Guatemala]]
File:Flag of El Salvador.svg|[[El Salvador]]
File:Flag of Honduras.svg|[[Honduras]]
File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg|[[Nicaragua]]
File:Flag of Costa Rica.svg|[[Costa Rica]]
File:Flag of Panama.svg|[[Panama]]
File:Flag of Belize.svg|[[Belize]]
</gallery>

===Coats of arms of modern Central America===
<gallery>
File:Coat of arms of Guatemala.svg|[[Guatemala]]
File:Coat of arms of El Salvador.svg|[[El Salvador]]
File:Coat of arms of Honduras.svg|[[Honduras]]
File:Coat of arms of Nicaragua.svg|[[Nicaragua]]
File:Coat of arms of Costa Rica.svg|[[Costa Rica]]
File:Coat of arms of Panama.svg|[[Panama]]
File:Coat of arms of Belize.svg|[[Belize]]
</gallery>

== Geography ==
{{See also|Geography of Belize|Geography of Costa Rica|Geography of El Salvador|Geography of Guatemala|Geography of Honduras|Geography of Nicaragua|Geography of Panama|l1=Geography of Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama|List of islands of Central America|List of mountain peaks of Central America}}
[[File:Map of Central America.png|thumb|The seven countries of Central America and their capitals]]

Central America is a part of [[North America]] consisting of a tapering isthmus running from the southern extent of Mexico to the northwestern portion of [[South America]]. Central America has the [[Gulf of Mexico]], a body of water within the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the north; the Caribbean Sea, also part of the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast; and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Some [[Physical geography|physiographists]] define the [[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]] as the northern geographic border of Central America,<ref name=MW /> while others use the northwestern borders of Belize and Guatemala. From there, the Central American land mass extends southeastward to the [[Atrato River]], where it connects to the [[Pacific/Chocó natural region|Pacific Lowlands]] in northwestern South America.

Central America has over 70 active volcanoes, 41 which are located in El Salvador, and Guatemala.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Q |first=Pablo Fonseca |date=2023-12-20 |title=Central American volcanoes offer clues to Earth's geological evolution |journal=Knowable Magazine |url=https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/physical-world/2023/central-american-volcanoes-clues-earth-geological-evolution |language=en |doi=10.1146/knowable-122023-1|doi-access=free }}</ref> The volcano with the most activity in Central America is [[Santa María (volcano)|Santa María]]. Still experiencing frequent eruptions to this day, with the last one beginning in 2013, and still is going on to this day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central America: an active volcanic arc |url=https://www.eskp.de/en/natural-hazards/central-america-an-active-volcanic-arc-935395/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=www.eskp.de |language=en}}</ref>

Of the many mountain ranges within Central America, the longest are the [[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]], the [[Cordillera Isabelia]] and the [[Cordillera de Talamanca]]. At {{convert|4220|m|ft|sp=us}}, [[Volcán Tajumulco]] is the highest peak in Central America. Other high points of Central America are as listed in the table below:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+High points in Central America
|-
! Country
! Name
! Elevation
! Range
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Belize}}
|[[Doyle's Delight]]
|{{cvt|1,124|m}}
|[[Maya Mountains]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Costa Rica}}
|[[Cerro Chirripó]]
|{{cvt|3,820|m}}
|[[Cordillera de Talamanca]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|El Salvador}}
|[[Cerro El Pital]]
|{{cvt|2,730|m}}
|[[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Guatemala}}
|[[Volcán Tajumulco]]
|{{cvt|4,220|m}}
|[[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Honduras}}
|[[Cerro Las Minas]]
|{{cvt|2,780|m}}
|[[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Nicaragua}}
|[[Mogotón]]
|{{cvt|2,107|m}}
|[[Cordillera Isabelia]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Panama}}
|[[Volcán Barú]]
|{{cvt|3,474|m}}
|[[Cordillera de Talamanca]]
|}

[[File:CAmerica.gif|thumb|Central America geography]]

Between the mountain ranges lie fertile valleys that are suitable for the raising of livestock and for the production of coffee, tobacco, beans and other crops. Most of the population of Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala lives in valleys.<ref>{{cite book|author=IBP, Inc.|title=Central American Countries Mineral Industry Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Regulations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_PxCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA8|year=2015|isbn=978-1-329-09114-6|pages=7, 8|publisher=Lulu.com }}</ref>

[[Trade winds]] have a significant effect upon the climate of Central America. Temperatures in Central America are highest just prior to the [[Wet season|summer wet season]], and are lowest during the [[Dry season|winter dry season]], when trade winds contribute to a cooler climate. The highest temperatures occur in April, due to higher levels of sunlight, lower cloud cover and a decrease in trade winds.<ref name=Oliver2005 />

=== Biodiversity ===
{{See also|Central America bioregion}}

===Central American forests===
<gallery>
File:Rain forest of Petén in Guatemala.jpg|[[Petén–Veracruz moist forests]], Guatemala
File:Forest canopy in Belize (5344010084).jpg|Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize
File:Zona de Acampar Parque Montecristo.jpg|[[Montecristo National Park]], El Salvador
File:Altagracia Volcan Maderas Bosque Nuboso.jpg|[[Maderas]] forest, Nicaragua
File:Small seepage pond near the top of Cerro El Chino - ZooKeys-298-077-g004B.jpg|Texiguat Wildlife Refuge Honduras
File:Monteverde bosque.jpg|[[Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve]], Costa Rica.
File:DirkvdM cloudforest-jungle.jpg|[[Parque Internacional la Amistad]], Panama
</gallery>

[[File:El Chorrerón en San Fernando, Morazán, El Salvador - 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|El Chorreron in El Salvador]]
Central America is part of the Mesoamerican [[biodiversity hotspot]], boasting 7% of the world's [[biodiversity]].<ref name=webng /> The [[Pacific Flyway]] is a major north–south [[flyway]] for [[Bird migration|migratory birds]] in the Americas, extending from [[Alaska]] to [[Tierra del Fuego]]. Due to the funnel-like shape of its land mass, migratory birds can be seen in very high concentrations in Central America, especially in the spring and autumn. As a bridge between North America and South America, Central America has many species from the [[Nearctic realm|Nearctic]] and the [[Neotropical realm]]s. However the southern countries (Costa Rica and Panama) of the region have more biodiversity than the northern countries (Guatemala and Belize), meanwhile the central countries (Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador) have the least biodiversity.<ref name=webng /> The table below shows recent statistics:

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+Biodiversity in Central America (numbers of different species of terrestrial vertebrate animals and vascular plants)
! Country
! Amphibian<br />species
! Bird<br />species
! Mammal<br />species
! Reptile<br />species
! Total terrestrial<br />vertebrate species
! Vascular plants<br />species
! Biodiversity
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Belize<ref name=MongabayB />
|style="text-align:center;"|46
|style="text-align:center;"|544
|style="text-align:center;"|147
|style="text-align:center;"|140
|style="text-align:center;"|877
|style="text-align:center;"|2894
|style="text-align:center;"|3771
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Costa Rica<ref name=MongabayCR />
|style="text-align:center;"|183
|style="text-align:center;"|838
|style="text-align:center;"|232
|style="text-align:center;"|258
|style="text-align:center;"|1511
|style="text-align:center;"|12119
|style="text-align:center;"|13630
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|El Salvador<ref name=MongabayES />
|style="text-align:center;"|30
|style="text-align:center;"|434
|style="text-align:center;"|137
|style="text-align:center;"|106
|style="text-align:center;"|707
|style="text-align:center;"|2911
|style="text-align:center;"|3618
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Guatemala<ref name=MongabayG />
|style="text-align:center;"|133
|style="text-align:center;"|684
|style="text-align:center;"|193
|style="text-align:center;"|236
|style="text-align:center;"|1246
|style="text-align:center;"|8681
|style="text-align:center;"|9927
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Honduras<ref name=MongabayH />
|style="text-align:center;"|101
|style="text-align:center;"|699
|style="text-align:center;"|201
|style="text-align:center;"|213
|style="text-align:center;"|1214
|style="text-align:center;"|5680
|style="text-align:center;"|6894
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Nicaragua<ref name=MongabayN />
|style="text-align:center;"|61
|style="text-align:center;"|632
|style="text-align:center;"|181
|style="text-align:center;"|178
|style="text-align:center;"|1052
|style="text-align:center;"|7590
|style="text-align:center;"|8642
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Panama<ref name=MongabayP />
|style="text-align:center;"|182
|style="text-align:center;"|904
|style="text-align:center;"|241
|style="text-align:center;"|242
|style="text-align:center;"|1569
|style="text-align:center;"|9915
|style="text-align:center;"|11484
|}

Over 300 species of the region's flora and fauna are threatened, 107 of which are classified as critically endangered. The underlying problems are [[deforestation]], which is estimated by [[FAO]] at 1.2% per year in Central America and Mexico combined, [[habitat fragmentation|fragmentation]] of [[rainforest]]s and the fact that 80% of the vegetation in Central America has already been converted to agriculture.<ref name=Harvey2008 />

Efforts to protect fauna and flora in the region are made by creating [[ecoregion]]s and nature reserves. 36% of Belize's land territory falls under some form of official protected status, giving Belize one of the most extensive systems of terrestrial protected areas in the Americas. In addition, 13% of Belize's marine territory are also protected.<ref name=Ramos2010 /> A large coral reef extends from Mexico to Honduras: the [[Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System]]. The [[Belize Barrier Reef]] is part of this. The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, and is one of the most diverse [[ecosystem]]s of the world. It is home to 70 hard coral species, 36 [[Alcyonacea|soft coral]] species, 500 species of fish and hundreds of [[invertebrate]] species.
So far only about 10% of the species in the Belize barrier reef have been discovered.<ref name=westminster />

=== Flora ===
===National flowers===
<gallery>
File:Lycaste virginalis forma Alba.jpg|''[[Lycaste skinneri]]'', Guatemala
File:Yucca - ‘Daga española’ (7625319272).jpg|[[Yucca gigantea|Izote flower]], El Salvador
File:Rhyncholaelia digbyana (16395522643).jpg|''[[Rhyncholaelia digbyana]]'', Honduras
File:Frangipani flower.jpg|''[[Plumeria]]'', Nicaragua
File:A and B Larsen orchids - Cattleya skinneri 574-24.jpg|''[[Guarianthe skinneri]]'', Costa Rica
File:Peristeria elata Orchi 11.jpg|''[[Peristeria elata]]'', Panama
File:Encyclia cochleata - flower.jpg|''[[Prosthechea cochleata]]'', Belize
</gallery>

===National trees===
<gallery>
File:Ceiba, the Maya Tree of Life Laslovarga01.JPG|''[[Ceiba]]'', Guatemala
File:Enterolobium cyclocarpum in Guanacaste.jpg|''[[Enterolobium cyclocarpum]]'', Costa Rica
File:Maquilishuat en flor.jpg|''[[Tabebuia rosea]]'', El Salvador
File:Árbol Panamá - Sterculia apetala - Árbol Nacional de Panamá 01.JPG|''[[Sterculia apetala]]'', Panama
File:Pinus oocarpa, San Rafael del Norte, Nicaragua.jpg|''[[Pinus oocarpa]]'', Honduras
File:Calycophyllum candidissimum in Managua.jpg|''[[Calycophyllum candidissimum]]'', Nicaragua
File:A big Mahogany tree.jpg|''[[Swietenia macrophylla]]'', Belize
</gallery>

[[File:costa rica santa elena skywalk.jpg|thumb|One of the hanging bridges of the skywalk at the [[Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve]] in [[Monteverde, Costa Rica]] disappearing into the clouds]]
From 2001 to 2010, {{convert|5376|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} of forest were lost in the region. In 2010 Belize had 63% of remaining forest cover, Costa Rica 46%, Panama 45%, Honduras 41%, Guatemala 37%, Nicaragua 29%, and El Salvador 21%. Most of the loss occurred in the moist forest [[biome]], with {{convert|12201|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}. Woody vegetation loss was partially set off by a gain in the coniferous forest biome with {{convert|4730|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}, and a gain in the dry forest biome at {{convert|2054|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}. Mangroves and deserts contributed only 1% to the loss in forest vegetation. The bulk of the [[Deforestation in Central America|deforestation]] was located at the Caribbean slopes of Nicaragua with a loss of {{convert|8574|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} of forest in the period from 2001 to 2010. The most significant regrowth of {{convert|3050|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} of forest was seen in the coniferous woody vegetation of Honduras.<ref name=Redo2012 />

===Montane forests===
The [[Central American pine-oak forests]] ecoregion, in the [[tropical and subtropical coniferous forests]] biome, is found in Central America and southern Mexico. The Central American pine-oak forests occupy an area of {{convert|111400|km2|sqmi|sp=us}},<ref name=WWF0303 /> extending along the mountainous spine of Central America, extending from the [[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]] in Mexico's [[Chiapas]] state through the highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras to central Nicaragua. The pine-oak forests lie between {{convert|600|-|1800|m|ft}} elevation,<ref name=WWF0303 /> and are surrounded at lower elevations by [[tropical moist forests]] and [[tropical dry forests]]. Higher elevations above {{convert|1800|m|ft}} are usually covered with [[Central American montane forests]]. The Central American pine-oak forests are composed of many species characteristic of temperate North America including [[oak]], [[pine]], [[fir]], and [[cypress]].

[[Laurel forest]] is the most common type of Central American temperate evergreen [[cloud forest]], found in almost all Central American countries, normally more than {{convert|1000|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level. Tree species include [[evergreen oak]]s, members of the [[Laurus|laurel family]], species of ''[[Weinmannia]]'' and ''[[Magnolia]]'', and ''[[Drimys granadensis]]''.<ref name=WWF0167 /> The cloud forest of [[Sierra de las Minas]], Guatemala, is the largest in Central America. In some areas of southeastern Honduras there are cloud forests, the largest located near the border with Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, cloud forests are situated near the border with Honduras, but many were cleared to grow coffee. There are still some temperate evergreen hills in the north. The only cloud forest in the Pacific coastal zone of Central America is on the [[Mombacho]] volcano in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, there are laurel forests in the Cordillera de [[Tilarán]] and [[Volcán Arenal]], called [[Monteverde]], also in the [[Cordillera de Talamanca]].

The [[Central American montane forests]] are an ecoregion of the [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests]] biome, as defined by the [[World Wildlife Fund]].<ref name=WWF0112 /> These forests are of the moist deciduous and the semi-evergreen seasonal subtype of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and receive high overall rainfall with a warm summer [[wet season]] and a cooler winter dry season. Central American montane forests consist of forest patches located at altitudes ranging from {{convert|1800|-|4000|m|ft}}, on the summits and slopes of the highest mountains in Central America ranging from Southern Mexico, through Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, to northern Nicaragua. The entire ecoregion covers an area of {{convert|13200|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} and has a [[temperate climate]] with relatively high [[precipitation]] levels.<ref name=WWF0112 />

=== Fauna ===
{{See also|List of mammals of Central America|List of Central American monkey species}}

===National birds===
<gallery>
File:Male Resplendent Quetzal.jpg|[[Resplendent quetzal]], Guatemala
File:Eumomota superciliosa.jpg|[[Turquoise-browed motmot]], El Salvador and Nicaragua
File:Keel-billed toucan.jpg|[[Keel-billed toucan]], Belize
File:Scarlet-Macaw.jpg|[[Scarlet macaw]], Honduras
File:Turdus grayi 4zz.jpg|[[Clay-colored thrush]], Costa Rica
File:Harpy Eagle.jpg|[[Harpy eagle]], Panama
</gallery>
Ecoregions are not only established to protect the forests themselves but also because they are habitats for an incomparably rich and often endemic fauna. Almost half of the bird population of the [[Talamancan montane forests]] in Costa Rica and Panama are endemic to this region. Several birds are listed as threatened, most notably the [[resplendent quetzal]] (''Pharomacrus mocinno''), [[three-wattled bellbird]] (''Procnias tricarunculata''), [[bare-necked umbrellabird]] (''Cephalopterus glabricollis''), and [[black guan]] (''Chamaepetes unicolor''). Many of the amphibians are endemic and depend on the existence of forest. The [[golden toad]] that once inhabited a small region in the Monteverde Reserve, which is part of the Talamancan montane forests, has not been seen alive since 1989 and is listed as extinct by IUCN. The exact causes for its extinction are unknown. Global warming may have played a role, because the development of that frog is typical for this area may have been compromised. Seven small mammals are endemic to the Costa Rica-Chiriqui highlands within the Talamancan montane forest region. [[Jaguar]]s, [[cougar]]s, [[spider monkey]]s, as well as [[tapir]]s, and [[anteater]]s live in the woods of Central America.<ref name=WWF0167 /> The [[Central American red brocket]] is a brocket deer found in Central America's tropical forest.

=== Geology ===
[[File:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|Central America and the [[Caribbean Plate]]]]
{{See also|Central America Volcanic Arc|List of earthquakes in Costa Rica|List of earthquakes in El Salvador|List of earthquakes in Guatemala|List of earthquakes in Nicaragua}}
{{image frame|content=
<gallery perrow=2 widths=170 heights=170 mode=nolines caption="Central American Geology" style="line-height:130%">
File:Lago de coatepeque de color.jpg|[[Coatepeque Caldera]], El Salvador
File:Atitlan Lake and Volcanoes (3746396035).jpg|[[Lake Atitlán]], Guatemala
File:Mombacho.JPG|[[Mombacho]], Nicaragua
File:Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.JPG|[[Arenal Volcano]], Costa Rica
</gallery>
}}

Central America is geologically very active, with [[Types of volcanic eruptions|volcanic eruptions]] and earthquakes occurring frequently, and [[tsunami]]s occurring occasionally. Many thousands of people have died as a result of these natural disasters.

Most of Central America rests atop the [[Caribbean Plate]]. This [[Plate tectonics|tectonic plate]] converges with the [[Cocos Plate|Cocos]], [[Nazca Plate|Nazca]], and [[North American Plate|North American]] plates to form the [[Middle America Trench]], a major [[subduction]] zone. The Middle America Trench is situated some {{convert|60-160|km|mi|sp=us}} off the Pacific coast of Central America and runs roughly parallel to it. Many large earthquakes have occurred as a result of seismic activity at the Middle America Trench.<ref name=Astiz1987 /> For example, subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the North American Plate at the Middle America Trench is believed to have caused the [[1985 Mexico City earthquake]] that killed as many as 40,000 people. Seismic activity at the Middle America Trench is also responsible for earthquakes in [[1902 Guatemala earthquake|1902]], [[1942 Guatemala earthquake|1942]], [[1956 Nicaragua earthquake|1956]], [[1972 Nicaragua earthquake|1972]], [[1982 El Salvador earthquake|1982]], [[1992 Nicaragua earthquake|1992]], [[January 2001 El Salvador earthquake|January 2001]], [[February 2001 El Salvador earthquake|February 2001]], [[2007 Iztapa earthquake|2007]], [[2012 Guatemala earthquake|2012]], [[October 2014 Nicaragua earthquake|2014]], and many other earthquakes throughout Central America.

The Middle America Trench is not the only source of seismic activity in Central America. The [[Motagua Fault]] is an onshore continuation of the [[Cayman Trough]] which forms part of the tectonic boundary between the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate. This [[transform fault]] cuts right across Guatemala and then continues offshore until it merges with the Middle America Trench along the Pacific coast of Mexico, near [[Acapulco]]. Seismic activity at the Motagua Fault has been responsible for earthquakes in [[1717 Guatemala earthquake|1717]], [[1773 Guatemala earthquake|1773]], [[1902 Guatemala earthquake|1902]], [[1976 Guatemala earthquake|1976]], [[1980 Honduras earthquake|1980]], and [[2009 Honduras earthquake|2009]].

Another onshore continuation of the Cayman Trough is the [[Chixoy-Polochic Fault]], which runs parallel to, and roughly {{convert|80|km|mi|sp=us}} to the north, of the Motagua Fault. Though less active than the Motagua Fault, seismic activity at the Chixoy-Polochic Fault is still thought to be capable of producing very large earthquakes, such as the 1816 earthquake of Guatemala.<ref name=White1985 />

[[Managua]], the capital of Nicaragua, was devastated by earthquakes in [[1931 Nicaragua earthquake|1931]] and [[1972 Nicaragua earthquake|1972]].

Volcanic eruptions are also common in Central America. In 1968 the [[Arenal Volcano]], in Costa Rica, erupted killing 87 people as the 3 villages of Tabacon, Pueblo Nuevo and San Luis were buried under pyroclastic flows and debris. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lava have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas.

== Politics ==
===Leaders===
<gallery>
File:Retrato oficial de Presidente Bernardo Arévalo (cropped 4).jpg|[[Bernardo Arévalo]] Guatemala
File:Presidente Bukele (cropped).jpg|[[Nayib Bukele]] El Salvador
File:Xiomara Castro 2022 (cropped).jpg|[[Xiomara Castro]] Honduras
File:Daniel Ortega 2014 (cropped).jpg|[[Daniel Ortega]] Nicaragua
File:CCC CPerez 87 .jpg| [[Rosario Murillo]] Nicaragua
File:Rodrigo Chaves, discurso posesión (cropped).jpg|[[Rodrigo Chaves Robles]] Costa Rica
File:José Raúl Mulino (호세 라울 물리노) 20241112.jpg|[[José Raúl Mulino]] Panama
File:Johnny Briceño (52135383761) (cropped).jpg|[[Johnny Briceño]] Belize
</gallery>

=== Integration ===
{{Main|Central American Integration System}}
{{Infobox geopolitical organization
| name                   = [[Central American Integration System|Central American<br />Integration System]]
| native_name            = {{lower|5px|''Sistema de<br />Integración Centroamericana''}}
| image_symbol           = SICA ZP.svg
| motto                  = "Peace, Development, Liberty and Democracy"
| anthem                 = ''La Granadera''
| area_km2               = 523,780
| population_estimate    = 52,176,283{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
| population_estimate_year = 2022
| population_density_km2 = {{pop density|52176283|523780|prec=1|disp=num}}
| membership_type        = Countries
| membership             = {{ubl|Belize| Costa Rica| El Salvador| Guatemala| Honduras| Nicaragua| Panama| Dominican Republic}}
}}

Central America is currently undergoing a process of political, economic and cultural transformation that started in 1907 with the creation of the [[Central American Court of Justice]].

In 1951 the integration process continued with the signature of the San Salvador Treaty, which created the ODECA, the Organization of Central American States. However, the unity of the ODECA was limited by conflicts between several member states.

In 1991, the integration agenda was further advanced by the creation of the [[Central American Integration System]] (''Sistema para la Integración Centroamericana'', or SICA). SICA provides a clear legal basis to avoid disputes between the member states. SICA membership includes the 7 nations of Central America plus the [[Dominican Republic]], a state that is traditionally considered part of the Caribbean.

On 6 December 2008, SICA announced an agreement to pursue a common currency and common passport for the member nations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20081206-central-american-leaders-agree-common-currency-|title=Central American leaders agree on common currency|work=France 24|access-date=2018-03-05|language=en-US}}</ref> No timeline for implementation was discussed.

Central America already has several supranational institutions such as the [[Central American Parliament]], the [[Central American Bank for Economic Integration]] and the [[Central American Common Market]].

On 22 July 2011, President [[Mauricio Funes]] of El Salvador became the first president ''[[pro tempore]]'' to SICA. El Salvador also became the headquarters of SICA with the inauguration of a new building.<ref name=BESS2013 />
{{Clear}}

=== Parliament ===
{{Main|Central American Parliament}}
[[File:Emblema del Parlamento Centroamericano.svg|thumb|Emblem of the [[Central American Parliament]]]]
The Central American Parliament (aka PARLACEN) is a political and parliamentary body of SICA. The parliament started around 1980, and its primary goal was to resolve conflicts in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Although the group was disbanded in 1986, ideas of unity of Central Americans still remained, so a treaty was signed in 1987 to create the Central American Parliament and other political bodies. Its original members were Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras. The parliament is the political organ of Central America, and is part of SICA. New members have since then joined including Panama and the Dominican Republic.

Costa Rica is not a member State of the Central American Parliament and its adhesion remains as a very unpopular topic at all levels of the Costa Rican society due to existing strong political criticism towards the regional parliament, since it is regarded by Costa Ricans as a menace to democratic accountability and effectiveness of integration efforts. Excessively high salaries for its members, legal immunity of jurisdiction from any member State, corruption, lack of a binding nature and effectiveness of the regional parliament's decisions, high operative costs and immediate membership of Central American Presidents once they leave their office and presidential terms, are the most common reasons invoked by Costa Ricans against the Central American Parliament.{{citation needed|date=January 2019}}

=== Foreign relations ===
{{See also|Sino-Latin America relations}}
Until recently,{{when|date=January 2019}} all Central American countries maintained diplomatic relations with [[Taiwan]] instead of China. President [[Óscar Arias]] of Costa Rica, however, established diplomatic relations with China in 2007, severing formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.<ref name=TCNYT /> After breaking off relations with the Republic of China in 2017, Panama established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. In August 2018, El Salvador also severed ties with Taiwan to formally start recognizing the People's Republic of China as sole China, a move many considered lacked transparency due to its abruptness and reports of the Chinese government's desires to invest in the department of La Union while also promising to fund the ruling party's reelection campaign.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/world/asia/taiwan-el-salvador-china.amp.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/24/world/asia/taiwan-el-salvador-china.amp.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited | title=White House Criticizes China over el Salvador Recognition| newspaper=The New York Times| date=24 August 2018| last1=Ramzy| first1=Austin}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The President of El Salvador, [[Nayib Bukele]], broke diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established ties with [[China]]. On 9 December 2021, Nicaragua resumed relations with the PRC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nicaragua cuts ties with Taiwan and pivots to China |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/10/nicaragua-cuts-ties-with-taiwan-and-pivots-to-china |work=The Guardian |date=10 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
{{Clear left}}

== Economy ==
{{See also|Economy of Belize|Economy of Costa Rica|Economy of El Salvador|Economy of Guatemala|Economy of Honduras|Economy of Nicaragua|Economy of Panama|l1=Economy of Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama}}
<gallery>
File:Banco deGuatemala.JPG|[[Bank of Guatemala|Central Bank of Guatemala]]
File:World Trade Center San Salvador.jpg|[[World Trade Center San Salvador]]
File:BCH.jpg|[[Central Bank of Honduras]]
File:Maqueta del Banco Central de Nicaragua.jpg|[[Central Bank of Nicaragua]]
File:Banco Nacional de Panamá, en vía España de la ciudad de Panamá.jpg|[[National Bank of Panama]]
File:Belizean Central Bank 2015.jpg|[[Central Bank of Belize]] 
</gallery>
[[File:Federal Republic of Central America 1835 4 Escudos.jpg|thumb|Federal Republic of Central America, 4 Escudos (1835). Struck in the San Jose, Costa Rica mint (697 were minted)]]
 
[[File:LogoSieca.jpg|thumb|left|Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration]]

Signed in 2004, the [[Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement|Central American Free Trade Agreement]] (CAFTA) is an agreement between the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the [[Dominican Republic]]. The treaty is aimed at promoting [[free trade]] among its members.

Guatemala has the largest economy in the region.<ref name=IMFWEO2012 /><ref name=IMFGDP2012 /> Its main exports are coffee, sugar, bananas, petroleum, clothing, and [[cardamom]]. Of its 10.29&nbsp;billion dollar annual exports,<ref name=ciaexport /> 40.2% go to the United States, 11.1% to neighboring El Salvador, 8% to Honduras, 5.5% to Mexico, 4.7% to Nicaragua, and 4.3% to Costa Rica.<ref name=ciaexportgu />

The region is particularly attractive for companies (especially clothing companies) because of its geographical proximity to the [[United States]], very low wages and considerable tax advantages. In addition, the decline in the prices of coffee and other export products and the structural adjustment measures promoted by the international financial institutions have partly ruined agriculture, favouring the emergence of maquiladoras. This sector accounts for 42 per cent of total exports from El Salvador, 55 per cent from Guatemala, and 65 per cent from Honduras. However, its contribution to the economies of these countries is disputed; raw materials are imported, jobs are precarious and low-paid, and tax exemptions weaken public finances.<ref name="insumisos.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.insumisos.com/diplo/NODE/663.HTM| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110407125941/http://www.insumisos.com/diplo/NODE/663.HTM| archive-date = 7 April 2011| title = Las "maquilas" no admiten sindicalistas {{!}} El Dipló}}</ref>

They are also criticised for the working conditions of employees: insults and physical violence, abusive dismissals (especially of pregnant workers), working hours, non-payment of overtime. According to Lucrecia Bautista, coordinator of the ''maquilas'' sector of the audit firm Coverco, "labour law regulations are regularly violated in maquilas and there is no political will to enforce their application. In the case of infringements, the labour inspectorate shows remarkable leniency. It is a question of not discouraging investors." Trade unionists are subject to pressure, and sometimes to kidnapping or murder. In some cases, business leaders have used the services of the [[Mara (gang)|maras]]. Finally, black lists containing the names of trade unionists or political activists are circulating in employers' circles.<ref name="insumisos.com"/>

Economic growth in Central America is projected to slow slightly in 2014–15, as country-specific domestic factors offset the positive effects from stronger economic activity in the United States.<ref name=IMF2014 />

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Central American countries
!Country
!GDP<br />(nominal)<br /><small>$ millions</small><ref name=IMFWEO2012 />{{efn|name=in-millions-usd|Values listed in millions USD.}}
!GDP<br />(nominal<br />per capita)<ref>Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2013, made in April 2014. [http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2014/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2013&ey=2013&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C624%2C692%2C522%2C694%2C622%2C142%2C156%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C453%2C960%2C968%2C423%2C922%2C935%2C714%2C128%2C862%2C611%2C135%2C321%2C716%2C243%2C456%2C248%2C722%2C469%2C942%2C253%2C718%2C642%2C724%2C643%2C576%2C939%2C936%2C644%2C961%2C819%2C813%2C172%2C199%2C132%2C733%2C646%2C184%2C648%2C524%2C915%2C361%2C134%2C362%2C652%2C364%2C174%2C732%2C328%2C366%2C258%2C734%2C656%2C144%2C654%2C146%2C336%2C463%2C263%2C528%2C268%2C923%2C532%2C738%2C944%2C578%2C176%2C537%2C534%2C742%2C536%2C866%2C429%2C369%2C433%2C744%2C178%2C186%2C436%2C925%2C136%2C869%2C343%2C746%2C158%2C926%2C439%2C466%2C916%2C112%2C664%2C111%2C826%2C298%2C542%2C927%2C967%2C846%2C443%2C299%2C917%2C582%2C544%2C474%2C941%2C754%2C446%2C698%2C666&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a=&pr.x=41&pr.y=13 World Economic Outlook Database-April 2014], [[International Monetary Fund]]. Accessed on 9 April 2014.</ref><ref>Data refers mostly to the year 2012. [http://databank.worldbank.org/ddp/home.do?Step=12&id=4&CNO=2 World Development Indicators database], [[World Bank]]. Database updated on 18 December 2013. Accessed on 18 December 2013.</ref>
!GDP<br />(PPP)<br /><small>$ millions</small><ref name=IMFGDP2012 />{{efn|name=in-millions-usd}}
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Belize
|1,552
|$4,602
|2,914
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Costa Rica
|44,313
| $10,432
|57,955
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|El Salvador
|24,421
| $3,875
|46,050
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Guatemala
|50,303
| $3,512
|78,012
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Honduras
|18,320
| $2,323
|37,408
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Nicaragua
|7,695
| $1,839
|19,827
|-style="text-align: right"
|style="text-align:left;"|Panama
|34,517
| $10,838
|55,124
|}

=== Tourism ===
{{See also|Tourism in Belize|Tourism in Costa Rica|Tourism in El Salvador|Tourism in Guatemala|Tourism in Honduras|Tourism in Nicaragua|Tourism in Panama|l1=Tourism in Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama}}

===Coasts===
<gallery>
File:Playa Blanca Guatemala.jpg|Playa Blanca Guatemala
File:Playa de Corral de Mulas, Usulután, El Salvador - panoramio.jpg|[[Jiquilisco Bay]], El Salvador
File:Roatan West End 95 we 006.jpg|[[Roatán]], Honduras
File:Pink Pearl Island-5.jpg|Pink Pearl Island Nicaragua
File:Costa Rica Playa Tamarindo and Rivermouth 2007 Aerial Photograph Tamarindowiki 01.JPG|[[Tamarindo, Costa Rica|Tamarindo]], Costa Rica
File:Insel Zapatilla Panama.jpg|[[Cayos Zapatilla]], Panama
File:Corozal Beach, Corozal, Belize.jpg|Corozal Beach, Belize
</gallery>

[[File:Great Blue Hole.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Great Blue Hole]] off the coast of Belize is a prime [[ecotourism]] destination. It is a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]]]
[[File:Semuc Champey, Guatemala.jpg|thumb|[[Semuc Champey]], Guatemala.]]

Tourism in Belize has grown considerably in more recent times, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation. Belizean Prime Minister [[Dean Barrow]] has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country.<ref name=Cuellar2013 /> The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry. The results for Belize's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming almost one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in 2012.<ref name=SPS2013 /> Belize is also the only country in Central America with English as its official language, making this country a comfortable destination for English-speaking tourists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.projectexpedition.com/location/belize/|title=Belize {{!}} Tours & Activities – Project Expedition|website=Project Expedition|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>

Costa Rica is the most visited nation in Central America.<ref name=Rodr2014 /> Tourism in Costa Rica is one of the fastest growing economic sectors of the country,<ref name=Rojas2004 /> having become the largest source of foreign revenue by 1995.<ref name=Inman1997 /> Since 1999, tourism has earned more foreign exchange than bananas, pineapples and coffee exports combined.<ref name=visitcostarica /> The tourism boom began in 1987,<ref name=Inman1997 /> with the number of visitors up from 329,000 in 1988, through 1.03&nbsp;million in 1999, to a historical record of 2.43&nbsp;million foreign visitors and $1.92-billion in revenue in 2013.<ref name=Rodr2014 /> In 2012 tourism contributed with 12.5% of the country's GDP and it was responsible for 11.7% of direct and indirect employment.<ref name=wef2013 />

Tourism in Nicaragua has grown considerably recently, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation. Nicaraguan President [[Daniel Ortega]] has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country.<ref name=Carroll2007 /> The growth in tourism has positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry. The results for Nicaragua's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in 2010.<ref name=sify />

=== Transport ===
{{See also|Transport in Belize|Transport in Costa Rica|Transport in El Salvador|Transport in Guatemala|Transport in Honduras|Transport in Nicaragua|Transport in Panama|l1=Transport in Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama}}

==== Roads ====
{{See also|Roads in Belize}}
[[File:Diseños de matriculas Centroamericanas.png|thumb|left|Central American license plates]]
[[File:PanAmericanHwy.png|thumb|[[Pan-American Highway]] slices through Central America]]
The [[Inter-American Highway]] is the Central American section of the [[Pan-American Highway]], and spans {{convert|5470|km|mi|sp=us}} between [[Nuevo Laredo]], Mexico, and [[Panama City]], Panama. Because of the {{convert|87|km|mi|adj=on|sp=us}} break in the highway known as the [[Darién Gap]], it is not possible to cross between Central America and South America in an automobile.

==== Waterways ====
{{See also|Category:Water transport in Belize|Category:Water transport in Costa Rica|Category:Water transport in Guatemala|Category:Water transport in Honduras|Category:Water transport in Nicaragua|Category:Water transport in Panama|l1=Category:Water transport in Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=Guatemala|l4=Honduras|l5=Nicaragua|l6=Panama|List of rivers of Belize|List of rivers of Costa Rica|List of rivers of El Salvador|List of rivers of Guatemala|List of rivers of Honduras|List of rivers of Nicaragua|List of rivers of Panama|l7=List of rivers of Belize|l8=Costa Rica|l9=El Salvador|l10=Guatemala|l11=Honduras|l12=Nicaragua|l13=Panama|Ecocanal|Nicaragua Canal|Panama Canal}}

==== Ports and harbors ====
{{See also|Ports of Belize|Category:Ports and harbours of Guatemala|Category:Ports and harbours of Panama}}

==== Airports ====
{{See also|List of airports in Belize|List of airports in Costa Rica|List of airports in El Salvador|List of airports in Guatemala|List of airports in Honduras|List of airports in Nicaragua|List of airports in Panama|l1=List of airports in Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama}}

==== Railways ====
{{Main|Rail transport in Central America}}
{{See also|Rail transport in Belize|Rail transport in Costa Rica|Rail transport in El Salvador|Rail transport in Guatemala|Rail transport in Honduras|Rail transport in Nicaragua|Rail transport in Panama|l1=Rail transport in Belize|l2=Costa Rica|l3=El Salvador|l4=Guatemala|l5=Honduras|l6=Nicaragua|l7=Panama}}

== Demographics ==
{{See also|Ethnic groups in Central America|Latin Americans}}

===Life expectancy===
{{Main|List of countries in the Americas by life expectancy}}
List of countries by [[life expectancy]] at birth for 2023, according to the [[World Bank Group]].<ref name='wbg_total'>{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth, total|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.IN|publisher=The World Bank Group|date=15 April 2025|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref name='wbg_male'>{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth, male|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN|publisher=The World Bank Group|date=15 April 2025|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref name='wbg_female'>{{cite web|title=Life expectancy at birth, female|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN|publisher=The World Bank Group|date=15 April 2025|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

{{static row numbers}}{{mw-datatable}}{{sort under}}{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-datatable static-row-numbers sort-under sticky-table-head sticky-table-col1 col1left col2center col3center col4center col5center col6center col8center col10center col12center col14center col16center" style=text-align:right;
|+ {{sro|World Bank Group (2023)}}
|- class="sortbottom static-row-header"
! rowspan=2 style="vertical-align:middle;"|Countries and<br>territories
! colspan=4|2023
! colspan=11 style="border-left-width:2px;"|Historical data
! rowspan=2 style="border-left-width:2px; text-align:middle;"|{{nobr|recovery from}}<br>[[COVID-19]]:<br>2019→2023
|- class="sortbottom static-row-header"
! style="vertical-align:middle;" class=sticky-table-none|All
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|Male
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|Female
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|{{tooltip|Sex gap|Difference in life expectancy for female and male}}
! style="border-left-width:2px; vertical-align:middle; padding-left:1em;"|2014
! style="text-align:left;"|{{tooltip|2014<br>→2019|Change of life expectancy from 2014 to 2019}}
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|2019
! style="text-align:left;"|2019<br>→2020
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|2020
! style="text-align:left;"|2020<br>→2021
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|2021
! style="text-align:left;"|2021<br>→2022
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|2022
! style="text-align:left;"|2022<br>→2023
! style="vertical-align:middle;"|2023
|-
| {{flaglist|Costa Rica}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 80.80 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 78.13 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 83.42 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 5.29 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 80.23 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.07 || 80.30 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −0.57 || 79.72 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.67 || 78.05 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.27 || 79.32 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.48 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 80.80 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 0.50
|-
| {{flaglist|Panama}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 79.59 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 76.65 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 82.56 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 5.90 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 77.36 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.15 || 78.51 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −2.18 || 76.33 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.67 || 77.00 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 2.32 || 79.32 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.27 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 79.59 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 1.08
|-
| {{flaglist|Nicaragua}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 74.95 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 72.31 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 77.42 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 5.11 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 72.79 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.97 || 73.76 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −3.00 || 70.77 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −0.29 || 70.48 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 3.98 || 74.46 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.48 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 74.95 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 1.18
|-
| {{flaglist|Belize}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 73.57 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 70.93 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 76.50 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 5.57 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 71.44 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.14 || 72.58 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.00 || 71.58 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −0.66 || 70.92 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.27 || 72.19 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.38 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 73.57 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 0.99
|-class=static-row-header
|style="text-align:center;"| '''World''' ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| '''73.33''' ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| '''70.95''' ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| '''75.84''' ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| '''4.89''' ||style="border-left-width:2px;padding-left:1em;"| '''71.78''' ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| '''1.09''' || '''72.87''' ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| '''−0.68''' || '''72.18''' ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| '''−0.97''' || '''71.22''' ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| '''1.75''' || '''72.97''' ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| '''0.36''' ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| '''73.33''' ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| '''0.46'''
|-
| {{flaglist|Honduras}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.88 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 70.35 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 75.50 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 5.16 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 71.03 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.09 || 72.12 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.26 || 70.86 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.37 || 69.49 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 3.22 || 72.72 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.17 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.88 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 0.76
|-
| {{flaglist|Guatemala}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.60 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 70.31 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 74.88 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 4.56 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 70.94 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.70 || 71.64 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.67 || 69.97 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −2.11 || 67.86 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 3.35 || 71.21 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 1.40 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.60 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 0.96
|-
| {{flaglist|El Salvador}} ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.10 ||style="background:#eaf3ff;"| 67.52 ||style="background:#fee7f6;"| 76.26 ||style="background:#fff8dc;"| 8.74 ||style="border-left-width:2px; padding-left:1em;"| 71.14 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.58 || 71.72 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −1.48 || 70.24 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:crimson;"| −0.30 || 69.94 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 2.03 || 71.97 ||style="background:#fffae0;color:darkgreen;"| 0.13 ||style="background:#e0ffd8;"| 72.10 ||style="background:#fffae0;border-left-width:2px;color:darkgreen;"| 0.37
|}

{{Multiple image|total_width = 600
| align        = center
| direction    = horizontal
| image1       = Life expectancy map -Central America -2019 -with names.png
| image2       = Life expectancy map -Central America -2020 -with names.png
| image3       = Life expectancy map -Central America -2021 -with names.png
| footer_align = center
| footer       = Change in life expectancy in Central America from 2019 to 2021<ref name='wbg_total' />
}}

===Capital cities===
<gallery>
File:Ciudad Cayala - Guatemala City.jpg|[[Guatemala City]]
File:Panoramica del Centro Histórico de San Salvador.jpg|[[San Salvador]]
File:Tegucigalpa view in october 2021.jpg|[[Tegucigalpa]]
File:Panoramica De Managua.jpg|[[Managua]]
File:4- Vue San Jose.jpg|[[San Jose, Costa Rica]]
File:HDR of Panama City, Panama.jpg|[[Panama City]]
File:Aerials Belize WHwy 02.jpg|[[Belmopan]]
</gallery>
The population of Central America is estimated at {{val|{{sum|{{decomma|{{UN population|Central America}}}}|-{{decomma|{{UN population|Mexico}}}}}}|fmt=commas}} as of {{UN Population|Year}}.{{UN Population|ref}} With an area of {{convert|523780|km2|sqmi|sp=us}},<ref name=handbook2013 /> it has a population density of {{convert|{{pop density|{{sum|{{decomma|{{UN population|Central America}}}}|-{{decomma|{{UN population|Mexico}}}}}}|523780|km2|prec=1|disp=num}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=off}}. Human Development Index values are from the estimates for 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update|title=2018 HDI Statistical Update|date=14 September 2018|access-date=2018-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203906/http://hdr.undp.org/en/2018-update|archive-date=14 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ Countries of Central America
! Country
! [[List of countries and dependencies by area|Area]]<ref name=cia />
! [[List of countries and dependencies by population|Population]]<br />({{UN Population|Year}} est.){{UN Population|ref}}
! [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|Population<br />density]]
! Capital
! [[Official language|Official<br />language]]
! [[Human Development Index|Human<br />development<br />index]]
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Belize
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|22966|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Belize}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Belize}}}}|22966|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Belmopan]]
|style="text-align:center;"|English
|0.708 <span style="color:#0c0;">'''High'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Costa Rica
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|51100|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Costa Rica}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Costa Rica}}}}|51100|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.794 <span style="color:#0c0;">'''High'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|El Salvador
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|21041|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|El Salvador}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|El Salvador}}}}|21041|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[San Salvador]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.674 <span style="color:#fc0;">'''Medium'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Guatemala
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|108889|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Guatemala}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Guatemala}}}}|108889|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Guatemala City]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.650 <span style="color:#fc0;">'''Medium'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Honduras
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|112090|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Honduras}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Honduras}}}}|112090|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tegucigalpa]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.617 <span style="color:#fc0;">'''Medium'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Nicaragua
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|130370|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Nicaragua}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Nicaragua}}}}|130370|km2|sqmi|prec=0}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Managua]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.658 <span style="color:#fc0;">'''Medium'''</span>
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Panama
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|75420|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{UN Population|Panama}}
|style="text-align:center;"|{{pop density|{{decomma|{{UN population|Panama}}}}|75420|km2|sqmi|prec=0|}}
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Panama City]]
|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish
|0.789 <span style="color:#0c0;">'''High'''</span>
|- style="background:#F2F2F2; font-weight:bold; "
! Total
|style="text-align:right;"|{{cvt|521876|km2}}
|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|{{sum|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Belize}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Costa Rica}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|El Salvador}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Guatemala}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Honduras}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Nicaragua}}}}|{{Decomma|{{UN Population|Panama}}}}}}}}
|style="text-align:center;"|-<!-- Adding a "total" value for the population density is misleading as to whether the figure would be the sum (which would probably be useless), population density of all of Central America (which can be found elsewhere such as in the infobox), or average of each country's population density (which would also probably be useless). June 2022. -->
|style="text-align:center;"|-
|style="text-align:center;"|-
|style="text-align:center;"|0.699
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|+ Largest metropolitan areas in Central America
! City
! Country
! Population
! Census Year
! % of National<br />Population
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[Guatemala City]]
|Guatemala
|style="text-align:right;"|5,700,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2010
|style="text-align:center;"|26%
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[San Salvador]]
|El Salvador
|style="text-align:right;"|2,415,217
|style="text-align:center;"|2009
|style="text-align:center;"|39%
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[Managua]]
|Nicaragua
|style="text-align:right;"|2,045,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2012
|style="text-align:center;"|34%
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[Tegucigalpa]]
|Honduras
|style="text-align:right;"|1,819,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2010
|style="text-align:center;"|24%
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[San Pedro Sula]]
|Honduras
|style="text-align:right;"|1,600,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2010
|style="text-align:center;"|21%+4<br />{{clarify|date=January 2024}}
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[Panama City]]
|Panama
|style="text-align:right;"|1,400,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2010
|style="text-align:center;"|37%
|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"
|[[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]
|Costa Rica
|style="text-align:right;"|1,275,000
|style="text-align:center;"|2013
|style="text-align:center;"|30%
|}
{{Clear left}}

=== Languages ===
{{See also|Central American Spanish|Misumalpan languages|Chibchan languages|l2=Misumalpan|l3=Chibchan}}
The official language majority in all Central American countries is [[Spanish language|Spanish]], except in Belize, where the official language is [[English language|English]]. [[Mayan languages]] constitute a [[language family]] consisting of about 26 related languages. Guatemala formally recognized 21 of these in 1996. [[Xincan languages|Xinca]], [[Miskito language|Miskito]], and [[Garifuna language|Garifuna]] are also present in Central America.

{|class="sortable wikitable"
|+Languages and population in Central America (2010)
! Rank!!Country !!Population !!% Spanish!!% Mayan<br />languages!!% English !!% Xinca !!% Garifuna
|-
|1||Guatemala||17,284,000||64.7%||34.3%||0.0%||0.7%||0.3%
|-
|2||Honduras||8,447,000||97.1%||2.0%||0.0%||0.0%||0.9%
|-
|3||El Salvador||6,108,000||99.0%||1.0%||0.0%||0.0%||0.0%
|-
|4||Nicaragua||6,028,000||87.4%||7.1%||5.5%||0.0%||0.0%
|-
|5||Costa Rica||4,726,000||97.2%||1.8%||1.0%||0.0%||0.0%
|-
|6||Panamá||3,652,000||86.8%||0.0%||4.0%||0.0%||0.0%
|-
|7||Belize||408,867||49.8%||8.9%||70.0%||0.0%||7.0%
|}

=== Ethnic groups ===
[[File:Centroamerica prehispanica siglo XVI.svg|thumb|Central America map of indigenous people before European contact]]
[[File:Preparing for 2019 Seattle Fiestas Patrias Parade - 40 - women with flags.jpg|thumb|left|Central American women]]
This region of the continent is very rich in terms of ethnic groups. The majority of the population is [[mestizo]], with sizable Mayan and African descendent populations present, along with numerous other indigenous groups such as the [[Miskito people]]. The immigration of Arabs, Jews, Chinese, Europeans and others brought additional groups to the area.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto;"
|+Ethnic groups in Central America (2010)
! style="width:100px;"|Country
! style="width:100px;"|Population
! style="width:100px;"|%&nbsp;[[Amerindian]]
! style="width:100px;"|%&nbsp;[[White people|White]]
! style="width:100px;"|%&nbsp;[[Mestizo]]/Mixed
! style="width:100px;"|%&nbsp;[[Black people|Black]]
! style="width:100px;"|%&nbsp;Other
|-
|align="left"|Belize
|324,528||6.3%||5.0%||49.6%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|32.0%||4.1%
|-
|align="left"|Costa Rica
|4,301,712||4.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|82.3%||15.7%||1.3%||0.7%
|-
|align="left"|El Salvador
|6,340,889||1.0%||12.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|86.0%||0.13%||1.0%
|-
|align="left"|Guatemala
|15,700,000||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|42.0%||4.0%||53.0%||0.2%||0.8%
|-
|align="left"|Honduras
|8,143,564||6.0%||5.5%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|82.0%||6.0%||0.5%
|-
|align="left"|Nicaragua
|5,815,500||5.0%||17.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|69.0%||9.0%||0.0%
|-
|align="left"|Panama
|3,474,562||6.0%||10.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|65.0%||14.0%||5.0%
|-
|align="left"|'''Total'''
|42,682,190||10.04%||17.04%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|59.77%||9.77%||2.91%
|}

=== Religious groups ===
{{further|Catholic Church in North America|Bahá'í Faith in Central America|Buddhism in Central America|Anglican Church in Central America}}

===Cathedrals===
<gallery>
File:CatedralGuatemala.jpg|[[Cathedral of Guatemala City]] Guatemala
File:CATEDRAL DE LA INMACULADA CONCEPCION, MANAGUA - panoramio.jpg|[[Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Managua]] Nicaragua
File:Catedral Metropolitana de San Salvador.png|[[San Salvador Cathedral]] El Salvador
File:Metropolitan Cathedral in San Jose, Costa Rica.jpg|[[Metropolitan Cathedral of San José]] Costa Rica
File:Iglesia Catedral de Panama.jpg|[[Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama City]] Panama
File:CATEDRAL DE TEGUCIGALPA - panoramio.jpg|[[Tegucigalpa Cathedral]] Honduras
File:HRrubenFromEast fixed.jpg|[[Holy Redeemer Cathedral]] Belize
</gallery>
The predominant religion in Central America is [[Christianity]] (95.6%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229040220/http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Christianity in its Global Context|archive-date=29 December 2016}}</ref> Beginning with the Spanish colonization of Central America in the 16th century, [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]] became the most popular religion in the region until the first half of the 20th century. Since the 1960s, there has been an increase in other Christian groups, particularly [[Protestantism]], as well as other religious organizations, and individuals identifying themselves as having no religion.<ref name=Holland2005 />

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;"
|+Proportions of the population by religion (2020)
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Country
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Roman Catholic
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Protestant
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Other Christian
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Non-Affiliated
! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Other
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Belize
|align="right"|47.4%
|align="right"|34.5%
|align="right"|7.1%
|align="right"|6.8%
|align="right"|3.2%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Costa Rica
|align="right"|72.5%
|align="right"|19.5%
|align="right"|2.4%
|align="right"|4.5%
|align="right"|1.1%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|El Salvador
|align="right"|55.8%
|align="right"|35.3%
|align="right"|3.6%
|align="right"|5.0%
|align="right"|0.3%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Guatemala
|align="right"|55.4%
|align="right"|25.9%
|align="right"|14.3%
|align="right"|4.0%
|align="right"|0.4%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Honduras
|align="right"|64.9%
|align="right"|29.1%
|align="right"|2.2%
|align="right"|3.1%
|align="right"|0.7%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Nicaragua
|align="right"|58.3%
|align="right"|36.7%
|align="right"|1.4%
|align="right"|3.4%
|align="right"|0.1%
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|Panama
|align="right"|66.1%
|align="right"|23.9%
|align="right"|1.8%
|align="right"|4.2%
|align="right"|3.0%
|}
'''Source: Jason Mandrik, Operation World Statistics (2020).'''

*Protestantism in Central America also include Independent Christian, most of total Protestants in this region (+80%) are Evangelicals, the rest follow traditional beliefs.
*Other Christian include Other Traditional Churches (Orthodox, Episcopalian, etc.) and contemporary churches (Mormons, Adventists, Scientology, etc.), also include Non-denominational Christian who are the most numerous group, specially in Guatemala.

=== Education ===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[List of architecture schools#Central America|List of architecture schools in Central America]]
* [[List of universities in Belize]]
* [[List of universities in Costa Rica]]
* [[List of universities in El Salvador]]
* [[List of universities in Guatemala]]
* [[List of universities in Honduras]]
* [[List of universities in Nicaragua]]
* [[List of universities in Panama]]
{{div col end}}

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Central America}}

===Art===
<gallery>
File:JacaltecBrocade.jpg|Guatemalan textiles
File:KunaWomanWithMolas.jpg|[[Mola (art form)|Mola]], Panama
File:Mercaditode Artesanias en el Centro Historico de Santa Ana.JPG|El Salvador La Plama art form
</gallery>

===National dishes===
<gallery>
File:Cocinando El Pepian.jpg|[[Pepián]] Guatemala
File:Baleada.jpg|[[Baleada]] Honduras
File:Pupusas El Salvador Centro America.JPG|[[Pupusa]] El Salvador
File:SANCOCHO.jpg|[[Sancocho]] Panama
File:Gallo Pinto at breakfast.jpg|[[Gallo pinto]] Costa Rica
File:Nacatamal assembled.jpg|[[Nacatamal]] Nicaragua
File:Rice and Beans, Stew Chicken and Potato Salad - Belize.jpg|[[Rice and beans]] Belize
</gallery>

* [[Central American music]]
* [[Latin American cuisine#North America|Central American cuisine]]
* [[List of cuisines of the Americas#Central American cuisine|List of cuisines of the Americas – Central American cuisine]]

=== Sport ===
* [[Central American Games]]
* [[Central American and Caribbean Games]]
** [[1926 Central American and Caribbean Games]] – the first time this event occurred
* [[Central American Football Union]]
* [[Surfing#In Central America|Surfing]]

== See also ==
{{Portal|Central America|North America|Latin America|Geography}}
{{div col}}
* [[Americas (terminology)]]
* [[Central American Seaway]]
* [[Index of Central America-related articles]]
** [[Index of Belize-related articles]]
** [[Index of Costa Rica-related articles]]
** [[Index of El Salvador–related articles]]
** [[Index of Guatemala-related articles]]
** [[Index of Honduras-related articles]]
** [[Index of Nicaragua-related articles]]
** [[Index of Panama-related articles]]
* [[List of largest cities in Central America]]
** [[Cantons of Costa Rica]]
** [[List of municipalities in Belize|List of cities in Belize]]
** [[List of cities in El Salvador]]
** [[List of places in Guatemala]]
** [[List of cities in Honduras]]
** [[Municipalities of Nicaragua|List of cities in Nicaragua]]
** [[List of cities in Panama]]
* [[West Indies]]
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
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<ref name=Holland2005>{{cite conference|last=Holland|first=CL|title=Ethnic and religious diversity in Central America: a historical perspective| date=November 2005 |conference=2005 Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion|pages=1–34|url=http://www.prolades.com/Ethnic_Religious_Diversity_CAM-Holland.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010135550/http://www.prolades.com/Ethnic_Religious_Diversity_CAM-Holland.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-10 |url-status=live|access-date=4 January 2015}}</ref>

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<ref name=MongabayES>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=El Salvador forest information and data|work=Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts|publisher=Mongabay.com|location=Menlo Park, California|year=2006|url=http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/El_Salvador.htm|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

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<ref name=MongabayP>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Panama forest information and data|work=Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts|publisher=Mongabay.com|location=Menlo Park, California|year=2006|url=http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Panama.htm|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

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<ref name=Rojas2004>{{cite news|last=Rojas|first=JE|title=Turismo, principal motor de la economía durante el 2004|trans-title=Tourism, the principal engine of the economy in 2004|newspaper=[[La Nación (San José)|La Nación]]|location=San José, Costa Rica|date=29 December 2004|language=es|url=http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/29/economia0.html|access-date=2 January 2015}}</ref>

<ref name=sify>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/news/nicaragua-exceeds-one-mn-foreign-tourists-for-first-time-news-international-km4ladiidea.html |title=Nicaragua exceeds one mn foreign tourists for first time |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017082140/http://www.sify.com/news/nicaragua-exceeds-one-mn-foreign-tourists-for-first-time-news-international-km4ladiidea.html |archive-date=17 October 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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<ref name=westminster>[http://www.westminster.edu/staff/athrock/BELIZE/Reef.html Belize Barrier Reef case study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605060903/http://www.westminster.edu/staff/athrock/BELIZE/Reef.html |date=5 June 2013 }}. Westminster.edu. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.</ref>

<ref name=White1985>{{cite journal|last=White|first=RA|title=The Guatemala earthquake of 1816 on the Chixoy-Polochic fault|journal=Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America|volume=75|issue=2|pages=455–73|year=1985|url=http://bssa.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/75/2/455}}</ref>

<ref name=WWF0112>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0112|name=Central American montane forests|access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=WWF0167>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0167|name=Talamancan montane forests|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=WWF0303>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0303|name=Central American pine-oak forests|access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* Berger, Mark T. ''Under Northern Eyes: Latin American Studies and Us Hegemony in the Americas, 1898–1990''. (Indiana UP, 1995).
* Biekart, Kees. "Assessing the 'arrival of Democracy' in Central America." (2014): 117–126. [https://repub.eur.nl/pub/51064/Metis_198906.pdf online]
* Bowman, Kirk, Fabrice Lehoucq, and James Mahoney. "Measuring political democracy: Case expertise, data adequacy, and Central America." ''Comparative Political Studies'' 38.8 (2005): 939–970. [https://www.academia.edu/download/48163905/BLM_20final_20paper_20for_20web.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
* Craig, Kern William. "Public Policy in Central America: An Empirical Analysis." ''Public Administration Research'' 2.2 (2013): 105+ [http://www.academia.edu/download/38904624/2013-Public_Policy_in_Central_America-corrected_copy.pdf online]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}.
* Dym, Jordana. ''From Sovereign Villages to National States: City, State, and Federation in Central America, 1759–1839'' (UNM Press, 2006).
* von Feigenblatt, Otto Federico. "Costa Rica's Neo-Realist Foreign Policy: Lifting the Veil Hiding the Discursive Co-Optation of Human Rights, Human Security, and Cosmopolitan Official Rhetoric." ''International Journal of Arts & Sciences Conference,'' (2009). [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1308290 online]
* Krenn, Michael L. ''The Chains of Interdependence: US Policy Toward Central America, 1945–1954'' (ME Sharpe, 1996).
* Kruijt, Dirk. ''Guerrillas: War and Peace in Central America'' (2013).
* LaFeber, Walter. ''Inevitable Revolutions: The United States in Central America'' (WW Norton & Company, 1993).
* Leonard, Thomas M. "Central America and the United States: Overlooked foreign policy objectives." ''The Americas'' (1993): 1–30 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1007262 online].
* Oliva, Karen, and Chad Rector. "Unbalanced Regional Political Integration Is Unstable: Evidence from the Federal Republic of Central America (1823–1838)." Available at SSRN 2429123 (2014) [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2429123 online].
* Pearcy, Thomas L. ''We Answer Only to God: Politics and the Military in Panama, 1903–1947'' (University of New Mexico Press, 1998).
* Pérez, Orlando J. ''Historical Dictionary of El Salvador'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).
* Perez-Brignoli, Hector. ''A Brief History of Central America'' (Univ of California Press, 1989).
* Sola, Mauricio. ''U.S. Intervention and Regime Change in Nicaragua'' (U of Nebraska Press, 2005).
* Topik, Steven C., and Allen Wells, eds. ''The Second Conquest of Latin America: Coffee, Henequen, and Oil During the Export Boom, 1850–1930'' (U of Texas Press, 2010).

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070314083919/http://www.bartleby.com/61/8/C0200800.html American Heritage Dictionaries, Central America] (archived 14 March 2007)
* Central America. ''[http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}''. 2006. New York: Columbia University Press.
* [[Consuelo Hernández|Hernández, Consuelo]] (2009). Reconstruyendo a Centroamérica a través de la poesía. ''Voces y perspectivas en la poesia latinoamericana del siglo XX''. Madrid: Visor.

{{Sister project links|voy=Central America|d=Q27611}}
* [http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552494/search?query=geographic-region%3A%22Mexico%2C+Central+America+and+the+Caribbean%22&rpp=20&sort_by=0&order=DESC&submit=Go Central America Video Links] from the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160115205405/https://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552494 Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives]
* [http://lanic.utexas.edu/country/central/LANIC Central America country pages]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [http://www.teachingcentralamerica.org/ Teaching Central America]

{{Central America topic}}
{{Music of Central America}}
{{Central American volcanoes}}
{{Central American and Caribbean Games}}
{{Latin America topic|Cuisine of|Latin American cuisine}}
{{Latin America topic|Culture of|Latin American culture}}
{{Regions of the world}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Central America| ]]