Central America

Subregion of North America

For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Middle America (Americas) or Central United States.

Central America

Area| 523,780 km2 (202,230 sq mi)[1]
Population|  52,700,000 (2023)[citation needed]
Population density| 100.6/km2 (260.6/sq mi) (2023)
GDP (PPP)| $738.8 billion (2023)
GDP (nominal)| $362.62 billion (exchange rate) (2023)
GDP per capita| $6,880 (exchange rate) (2023)
$14,019 (PPP) (2023)
Demonym| Central American[a]
Countries|

7–8

* Belize
* Costa Rica[b]
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Mexico[c]
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Dependencies|

External (1)

* Clipperton Island[d] (France)

Internal (2)

* Valle del Cauca, Malpelo Island[d] (Colombia)
* Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina[e] (Colombia)

Disputed (2)

* Bajo Nuevo Bank[f]
* Serranilla Bank[g]

Languages|

* Spanish
* English
* Mayan
* Miskito
* Garifuna
* Kriol
* Bay Island Creole
* Mekatelyu
* Honduran and Nicaraguan Miskito Creole
* Others

Time zones| UTC−06:00 to UTC−05:00
Largest cities|

* Guatemala City
* San Salvador
* Managua
* Tegucigalpa
* Panama City
* San Pedro Sula
* San José
* San Miguelito
* Santa Ana
* San Miguel

UN M49 code| `013` – Central America
`419` – Latin America and the Caribbean
`019` – Americas
`001` – World
Part of a series on

Central America

Countries

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Culture

Cuisine

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

Spanish

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

Sports

* Central American Games
* Central American and Caribbean Games
* Football Union

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

Demographics

* Ethnic groups
* Maya peoples

* * *

Indigenous people

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Economy

Tourism

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Education

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Geography and geology

* Deforestation
* Darién Gap
* Isthmus of Panama
* Middle America Trench
* Seaway
* Volcanic Arc

* * *

Lists

* Islands
* Mammals
* Mountain ranges
* Peaks
* Summits
* Ultra-prominent summits
* Rivers

* * *

Regions

* Central Highlands
* Dry Corridor
* Dry forests
* Montane forests
* Pine–oak forests

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

History

Early history

* Peopling of the Americas
* Maya civilization
* Tikal
* Copán

* * *

Spanish conquests

* El Salvador
* Honduras
* Maya
* Guatemala
* Petén
* Nicaragua

* * *

Colonial history

* Captaincy General of Guatemala (1542-1821)
* Viceroyalty of New Granada (1717-1821)
* Act of Independence (1821)

* * *

19th-20th century

* Under Mexican rule (1822-1823)
* Federal Republic (1823-1839)
* Heads of state
* Los Altos (1838-1840)
* Greater Republic (1896-1898)
* Federation (1921-1922)

* * *

Conflicts

* First Civil War
* Second Civil War
* Banana Wars
* Costa Rican Civil War
* Guatemalan Civil War
* Football War
* Nicaraguan Revolution
* Salvadoran Civil War
* US invasion of Panama
* Salvadoran gang crackdown

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

Politics and government

* CA-4 Border Agreement
* Integration System
* Northern Triangle
* Parliament
* Reunification

* * *

Elections

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

Foreign relations

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Religion

* Anglican Church
* Bahá'í Faith
* Buddhism
* Roman Catholicism

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Transportation

* Inter-American Highway
* Migrant caravans
* Bus transport
* Rail transport
* List of busiest airports
* List of largest airlines

* * *

By country

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Related articles

* Indigenous arts
* Mesoamerica
* Middle America (Americas)
* Latin America
* Americas (terminology)

Central America portal

* v
* t
* e

Central America[h] is a 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 Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, which extends from southern Mexico to southeastern Panama. Due to the presence of several active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc, there is a high amount of seismic activity in the region, such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which has resulted in death, injury, and property damage.

Most of Central America falls under the 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 1502 onwards, Spain began their 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 de O'Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, which established New Spain's independence and autonomy from mainland Spain.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5]

The Spanish-speaking countries officially include both North America and South America as a single continent, América, which is split into four subregions: Central America, The Caribbean (a.k.a. the West Indies), North America (Mexico and Northern America), and South America.

## Definitions

[edit]

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.[6]
* 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" at least as recently as 1962.[7]
* 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 continent comprising the seven countries south of Mexico and north of Colombia.[citation needed]
* 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]
* In 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]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of Central America

* Ancient sites of Central America
* Tikal, Guatemala

* Ancient footprints of Acahualinca, Nicaragua

* Stone spheres of Costa Rica

* Tazumal, El Salvador

* Copan, Honduras

* Altun Ha, Belize

A map of Central America, 1862 A painting of the First Independence Movement celebration in San Salvador, 1811 A painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of Central America, Guatemala, 1821 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 Mesoamerica. Most notable among these were the Mayans, who had built numerous cities throughout the region, and the Aztecs, who had created a vast empire. The pre-Columbian cultures of 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[8] 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 territory in 1523. Soon after the conquest of the Aztec Empire, Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado commenced the 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', Tz'utujil, Pipil, and the 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.[9]

In 1538, Spain established the 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 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 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 present-day Belize and Panama.

The Captaincy General of Guatemala lasted for more than two centuries, but began to fray after a 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.

Slavery in Central America was a key component of the colonial economies established by Spain from the early 16th century. While Indigenous peoples were the initial targets of forced labor systems such as the encomienda, the catastrophic population decline caused by disease and exploitation led to the increasing importation of enslaved Africans. The transatlantic slave trade brought hundreds of thousands of Africans to the region, particularly to present-day Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, and Costa Rica, to labor in mining, agriculture, and domestic service.

African slavery in Central America was concentrated in port cities, mining regions, and plantation zones. Panama, with its strategic location as a transit point between the Atlantic and Pacific, became an early hub for African slave importation as early as the 1510s. Enslaved people were used to build infrastructure, carry goods across the isthmus, and work in emerging urban centers. In Honduras, enslaved Africans were brought to support mining operations in Olancho and agriculture along the northern coast, where they mixed with Indigenous and later Garífuna populations (a people of mixed African and Indigenous descent). Guatemala also had a significant enslaved population in its early colonial history, particularly in the sugar-producing areas of Escuintla.

African slavery in Central America left enduring cultural, demographic, and social legacies. By the 18th century, the importation of African slaves had declined, and free Afro-descendant populations grew through manumission, escape (maroon communities), and intermarriage. Slavery was gradually abolished in the 19th century following independence from Spain. Guatemala formally ended slavery in 1824, Costa Rica in 1824, El Salvador in 1825, Honduras in 1824, and Nicaragua in 1824. However, forms of coerced Indigenous labor persisted well beyond formal abolition.

Modern Afro-descendant communities across Central America, including Afro-Costa Ricans, Afro-Nicaraguans, Afro-Hondurans, Afro-Panamanians, and Afro-Guatemalans. They part the legacy of this complex history of enslavement, resistance, and cultural resilience.

It is a well-established historical fact that approximately 1.3 million enslaved Africans were taken to Spanish Central America.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

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.

From its independence from Spain in 1821 until 1823, the former Captaincy General remained intact as part of the short-lived First Mexican Empire. When the 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]

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.[10]

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 Guatemalan department. In 1862, Britain formally declared it a British colony and named it British Honduras. It became independent as Belize in 1981.[4]

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 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 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.

In 1886, the United States of Colombia was replaced by the Republic of Colombia. 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 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]

By the 1930s the United Fruit Company owned 14,000 square kilometres (3.5 million acres) 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.[11]

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.[12] Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, after Haiti.[13]

* General Manuel José Arce; decorated Salvadoran General and president of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1825 to 1829

* A monument honoring the emblem of the United Provinces of Central America

* 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

### Flags of modern Central America

[edit]

* Guatemala

* El Salvador

* Honduras

* Nicaragua

* Costa Rica

* Panama

* Belize

### Coats of arms of modern Central America

[edit]

* Guatemala

* El Salvador

* Honduras

* Nicaragua

* Costa Rica

* Panama

* Belize

## Geography

[edit]

See also: Geography of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, List of islands of Central America, and List of mountain peaks of Central America

A topographical map of Central America

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 physiographists define the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as the northern geographic border of Central America,[14] 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 Lowlands in northwestern South America.

Central America has over 70 active volcanoes, 41 which are located in El Salvador, and Guatemala.[15] The volcano with the most activity in Central America is Santa María. Still experiencing frequent eruptions to this day, with the last one beginning in 2013, and still is going on to this day.[16]

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 4,220 meters (13,850 ft), Volcán Tajumulco is the highest peak in Central America. Other high points of Central America are as listed in the table below:

High points in Central America  Country  | Name  | Elevation  | Range

|
|
|

Belize | Doyle's Delight | 1,124 m (3,688 ft)  | Maya Mountains
Costa Rica | Cerro Chirripó | 3,820 m (12,530 ft)  | Cordillera de Talamanca
El Salvador | Cerro El Pital | 2,730 m (8,960 ft)  | Sierra Madre de Chiapas
Guatemala | Volcán Tajumulco | 4,220 m (13,850 ft)  | Sierra Madre de Chiapas
Honduras | Cerro Las Minas | 2,780 m (9,120 ft)  | Sierra Madre de Chiapas
Nicaragua | Mogotón | 2,107 m (6,913 ft)  | Cordillera Isabelia
Panama | Volcán Barú | 3,474 m (11,398 ft)  | Cordillera de Talamanca

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.[17]

The seven countries of Central America and their capitals

Trade winds have a significant effect upon the climate of Central America. Temperatures in Central America are highest just prior to the summer wet season, and are lowest during the 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.[18]

### Biodiversity

[edit]

See also: Central America bioregion

### Central American forests

[edit]

* Petén–Veracruz moist forests, Guatemala

* Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize

* Montecristo National Park, El Salvador

* Maderas forest, Nicaragua

* Texiguat Wildlife Refuge Honduras

* Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica.

* Parque Internacional la Amistad, Panama

El Chorreron in El Salvador

Central America is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, with 7% of the world's biodiversity.[19] The Pacific Flyway is a major north–south flyway for 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 and the Neotropical realms. The southern countries (Costa Rica and Panama) of the region have more biodiversity than the northern countries (Guatemala and Belize). The central countries (Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador) have the least biodiversity.[19] The table below shows recent statistics:

Biodiversity in Central America (numbers of different species of terrestrial vertebrate animals and vascular plants)  Country  | Amphibian
species  | Bird
species  | Mammal
species  | Reptile
species  | Total terrestrial
vertebrate species  | Vascular plants
species  | Biodiversity

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Belize[20] | 46  | 544  | 147  | 140  | 877  | 2894  | 3771
Costa Rica[21] | 183  | 838  | 232  | 258  | 1511  | 12119  | 13630
El Salvador[22] | 30  | 434  | 137  | 106  | 707  | 2911  | 3618
Guatemala[23] | 133  | 684  | 193  | 236  | 1246  | 8681  | 9927
Honduras[24] | 101  | 699  | 201  | 213  | 1214  | 5680  | 6894
Nicaragua[25] | 61  | 632  | 181  | 178  | 1052  | 7590  | 8642
Panama[26] | 182  | 904  | 241  | 242  | 1569  | 9915  | 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 was estimated by the FAO in 2008 at 1.2% per year in Central America and Mexico combined, fragmentation of rainforests and the fact that 80% of the vegetation in Central America has already been converted to agriculture.[27]

Efforts to protect fauna and flora in the region are made by creating ecoregions 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. 13% of Belize's marine territory is protected.[28] 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 ecosystems of the world. It is home to 70 hard coral species, 36 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.[29]

### Flora

[edit]

### National flowers

[edit]

* Lycaste skinneri, Guatemala

* Izote flower, El Salvador

* Rhyncholaelia digbyana, Honduras

* Plumeria, Nicaragua

* Guarianthe skinneri, Costa Rica

* Peristeria elata, Panama

* Prosthechea cochleata, Belize

### National trees

[edit]

* Ceiba, Guatemala

* Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Costa Rica

* Tabebuia rosea, El Salvador

* Sterculia apetala, Panama

* Pinus oocarpa, Honduras

* Calycophyllum candidissimum, Nicaragua

* Swietenia macrophylla, Belize

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, 5,376 square kilometers (2,076 sq mi) 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 12,201 square kilometers (4,711 sq mi). Woody vegetation loss was partially set off by a gain in the coniferous forest biome with 4,730 square kilometers (1,830 sq mi), and a gain in the dry forest biome at 2,054 square kilometers (793 sq mi).[30]

Mangroves and deserts contributed 1% to the loss in forest vegetation. The bulk of the deforestation was located at the Caribbean slopes of Nicaragua with a loss of 8,574 square kilometers (3,310 sq mi) of forest in the period from 2001 to 2010. The most significant regrowth of 3,050 square kilometers (1,180 sq mi) of forest was seen in the coniferous woody vegetation of Honduras.[30]

### Montane forests

[edit]

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 111,400 square kilometers (43,000 sq mi),[31] 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 600–1,800 metres (2,000–5,900 ft) elevation,[31] and are surrounded at lower elevations by tropical moist forests and tropical dry forests. Higher elevations above 1,800 metres (5,900 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.

Central American geography with country borders

Laurel forest is the most common type of Central American temperate evergreen cloud forest, found in almost all Central American countries, normally more than 1,000 meters (3,300 ft) above sea level. Tree species include evergreen oaks, members of the laurel family, species of Weinmannia and Magnolia, and Drimys granadensis.[32] 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.[33] 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 1,800–4,000 metres (5,900–13,100 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 13,200 square kilometers (5,100 sq mi) and has a temperate climate with relatively high precipitation levels.[33]

### Fauna

[edit]

See also: List of mammals of Central America and List of Central American monkey species

### National birds

[edit]

* Resplendent quetzal, Guatemala

* Turquoise-browed motmot, El Salvador and Nicaragua

* Keel-billed toucan, Belize

* Scarlet macaw, Honduras

* Clay-colored thrush, Costa Rica

* Harpy eagle, Panama

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. Jaguars, cougars, spider monkeys, as well as tapirs, and anteaters live in the woods of Central America.[32] The Central American red brocket is a brocket deer found in Central America's tropical forest.

### Geology

[edit]

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, and List of earthquakes in Nicaragua

* Central American Geology
* Coatepeque Caldera, El Salvador

* Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

* Mombacho, Nicaragua

* Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Central America is geologically very active, with volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurring frequently, and tsunamis 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 tectonic plate converges with the Cocos, Nazca, and North American plates to form the Middle America Trench, a major subduction zone. The Middle America Trench is situated some 60–160 kilometers (37–99 mi) 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.[34]

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, 1942, 1956, 1972, 1982, 1992, January 2001, February 2001, 2007, 2012, 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, 1773, 1902, 1976, 1980, and 2009.

Another onshore continuation of the Cayman Trough is the Chixoy-Polochic Fault, which runs parallel to, and roughly 80 kilometers (50 mi) 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.[35]

Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, was devastated by earthquakes in 1931 and 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

[edit]

### Leaders

[edit]

* Bernardo Arévalo Guatemala

* Nayib Bukele El Salvador

* Xiomara Castro Honduras

* Daniel Ortega Nicaragua

* Rosario Murillo Nicaragua

* Rodrigo Chaves Robles Costa Rica

* José Raúl Mulino Panama

* Johnny Briceño Belize

### Integration

[edit]

Main article: Central American Integration System

Sistema de
Integración Centroamericana

Central American
Integration System

Coat of arms

Motto: "Peace, Development, Liberty and Democracy"
Anthem: La Granadera
Countries|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama
* Dominican Republic

Area

• Total

| 523,780 km2 (202,230 sq mi)
Population

• 2022 estimate

| 52,176,283[citation needed]

• Density

| 99.6/km2 (258.0/sq mi)

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.[36] 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.[37]

### Parliament

[edit]

Main article: Central American Parliament

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]

### Foreign relations

[edit]

See also: Sino-Latin America relations

Until recently,[when?] 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.[38] 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.[39] 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.[40]

## Economy

[edit]

See also: Economy of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

* Central Bank of Guatemala

* World Trade Center San Salvador

* Central Bank of Honduras

* Central Bank of Nicaragua

* National Bank of Panama

* Central Bank of Belize

Federal Republic of Central America, 4 Escudos, 1835. Struck in the San Jose, Costa Rica mint. 697 were minted The Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration

Signed in 2004, the 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.[41][42] Its main exports are coffee, sugar, bananas, petroleum, clothing, and cardamom. Of its 10.29 billion dollar annual exports,[43] 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.[44]

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.[45]

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 maras. Black lists containing the names of trade unionists or political activists are circulating in employers' circles.[45]

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.[46]

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Central American countries  Country  | GDP
(nominal)
$ millions[41][i] | GDP
(nominal
per capita)[47][48] | GDP
(PPP)
$ millions[42][i]

|
|
|

Belize  | 1,552  | $4,602  | 2,914
Costa Rica  | 44,313  | $10,432  | 57,955
El Salvador  | 24,421  | $3,875  | 46,050
Guatemala  | 50,303  | $3,512  | 78,012
Honduras  | 18,320  | $2,323  | 37,408
Nicaragua  | 7,695  | $1,839  | 19,827
Panama  | 34,517  | $10,838  | 55,124

### Tourism

[edit]

See also: Tourism in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

### Coasts

[edit]

* Playa Blanca Guatemala

* Jiquilisco Bay, El Salvador

* Roatán, Honduras

* Pink Pearl Island Nicaragua

* Tamarindo, Costa Rica

* Cayos Zapatilla, Panama

* Corozal Beach, Belize

The Great Blue Hole off the coast of Belize is a prime ecotourism destination. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 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.[49] 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.[50] 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.[51]

Costa Rica is the most visited nation in Central America.[52] Tourism in Costa Rica is one of the fastest growing economic sectors of the country,[53] having become the largest source of foreign revenue by 1995.[54] Since 1999, tourism has earned more foreign exchange than bananas, pineapples and coffee exports combined.[55] The tourism boom began in 1987,[54] with the number of visitors up from 329,000 in 1988, through 1.03 million in 1999, to a historical record of 2.43 million foreign visitors and $1.92-billion in revenue in 2013.[52] In 2012 tourism contributed with 12.5% of the country's GDP and it was responsible for 11.7% of direct and indirect employment.[56]

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.[57] 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.[58]

### Transport

[edit]

See also: Transport in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

#### Roads

[edit]

See also: Roads in Belize

Central American license plates Pan-American Highway slices through Central America

The Inter-American Highway is the Central American section of the Pan-American Highway, and spans 5,470 kilometers (3,400 mi) between Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Panama City, Panama. Because of the 87-kilometer (54 mi) 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

[edit]

See also: Category:Water transport in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, List of rivers of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecocanal, Nicaragua Canal, and Panama Canal

#### Ports and harbors

[edit]

See also: Ports of Belize, Category:Ports and harbours of Guatemala, and Category:Ports and harbours of Panama

#### Airports

[edit]

See also: List of airports in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

#### Railways

[edit]

Main article: Rail transport in Central America

See also: Rail transport in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

## Demographics

[edit]

### Countries

[edit]

The population of Central America is estimated at 50,956,791 as of 2021.[59][60] With an area of 523,780 square kilometers (202,230 sq mi),[61] it has a population density of 97.3 per square kilometre (252 per square mile). Human Development Index values are from the estimates for 2017.[62]

Countries of Central America  Country  | Area[63] | Population
(2021 est.)[59][60] | Population
density | Capital  | Official
language | Human
development
index

|
|
|
|
|
|

Belize | 22,966 km2 (8,867 sq mi)  | 400,031  | 17/km2 (45/sq mi)  | Belmopan | English  | 0.708 High
Costa Rica | 51,100 km2 (19,700 sq mi)  | 5,153,957  | 101/km2 (261/sq mi)  | San José | Spanish  | 0.794 High
El Salvador | 21,041 km2 (8,124 sq mi)  | 6,314,167  | 300/km2 (777/sq mi)  | San Salvador | Spanish  | 0.674 Medium
Guatemala | 108,889 km2 (42,042 sq mi)  | 17,608,483  | 162/km2 (419/sq mi)  | Guatemala City | Spanish  | 0.650 Medium
Honduras | 112,090 km2 (43,280 sq mi)  | 10,278,345  | 92/km2 (237/sq mi)  | Tegucigalpa | Spanish  | 0.617 Medium
Nicaragua | 130,370 km2 (50,340 sq mi)  | 6,850,540  | 53/km2 (136/sq mi)  | Managua | Spanish  | 0.658 Medium
Panama | 75,420 km2 (29,120 sq mi)  | 4,351,267  | 58/km2 (149/sq mi)  | Panama City | Spanish  | 0.789 High
Total  | 521,876 km2 (201,497 sq mi)  | 50,956,790 | \-  | \-  | \-  | 0.699

### Life expectancy

[edit]

Main article: 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.[64][65][66]

World Bank Group (2023) Countries and
territories  | 2023  | Historical data  | recovery from
COVID-19:
2019→2023

|
|
|

All  | Male  | Female  | Sex gap | 2014  | 2014
→2019 | 2019  | 2019
→2020  | 2020  | 2020
→2021  | 2021  | 2021
→2022  | 2022  | 2022
→2023  | 2023
Costa Rica | 80.80 | 78.13 | 83.42 | 5.29 | 80.23 | 0.07 | 80.30 | −0.57 | 79.72 | −1.67 | 78.05 | 1.27 | 79.32 | 1.48 | 80.80 | 0.50
Panama | 79.59 | 76.65 | 82.56 | 5.90 | 77.36 | 1.15 | 78.51 | −2.18 | 76.33 | 0.67 | 77.00 | 2.32 | 79.32 | 0.27 | 79.59 | 1.08
Nicaragua | 74.95 | 72.31 | 77.42 | 5.11 | 72.79 | 0.97 | 73.76 | −3.00 | 70.77 | −0.29 | 70.48 | 3.98 | 74.46 | 0.48 | 74.95 | 1.18
Belize | 73.57 | 70.93 | 76.50 | 5.57 | 71.44 | 1.14 | 72.58 | −1.00 | 71.58 | −0.66 | 70.92 | 1.27 | 72.19 | 1.38 | 73.57 | 0.99
World | 73.33 | 70.95 | 75.84 | 4.89 | 71.78 | 1.09 | 72.87 | −0.68 | 72.18 | −0.97 | 71.22 | 1.75 | 72.97 | 0.36 | 73.33 | 0.46
Honduras | 72.88 | 70.35 | 75.50 | 5.16 | 71.03 | 1.09 | 72.12 | −1.26 | 70.86 | −1.37 | 69.49 | 3.22 | 72.72 | 0.17 | 72.88 | 0.76
Guatemala | 72.60 | 70.31 | 74.88 | 4.56 | 70.94 | 0.70 | 71.64 | −1.67 | 69.97 | −2.11 | 67.86 | 3.35 | 71.21 | 1.40 | 72.60 | 0.96
El Salvador | 72.10 | 67.52 | 76.26 | 8.74 | 71.14 | 0.58 | 71.72 | −1.48 | 70.24 | −0.30 | 69.94 | 2.03 | 71.97 | 0.13 | 72.10 | 0.37

Change in life expectancy in Central America from 2019 to 2021[64]

### Metropolitan areas

[edit]

Largest metropolitan areas in Central America  City  | Country  | Population  | Census Year  | % of National
Population

|
|
|
|

Guatemala City | Guatemala  | 5,700,000  | 2010  | 26%
San Salvador | El Salvador  | 2,415,217  | 2009  | 39%
Managua | Nicaragua  | 2,045,000  | 2012  | 34%
Tegucigalpa | Honduras  | 1,819,000  | 2010  | 24%
San Pedro Sula | Honduras  | 1,600,000  | 2010  | 21%+4
[clarification needed]
Panama City | Panama  | 1,400,000  | 2010  | 37%
San José | Costa Rica  | 1,275,000  | 2013  | 30%

### Languages

[edit]

See also: Central American Spanish, Misumalpan, and Chibchan

The official language majority in all Central American countries is Spanish, except in Belize, where the official language is English. Mayan languages constitute a language family consisting of about 26 related languages. Guatemala formally recognized 21 of these in 1996. Xinca, Miskito, and Garifuna are also present in Central America.

Native languages in Central America (2010)  Rank | Country | Population | % Spanish | % Mayan
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

[edit]

See also: Ethnic groups in Central America and Latin Americans

A map of Central American indigenous people before European contact Central American women

Central America has a diverse mix 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.

Ethnic groups in Central America (2010)  Country  | Population  | % Amerindian | % White | % Mestizo/Mixed  | % Black | % Other

|
|
|
|
|
|

Belize  | 324,528 | 6.3% | 5.0% | 49.6% | 32.0% | 4.1%
Costa Rica  | 4,301,712 | 4.0% | 82.3% | 15.7% | 1.3% | 0.7%
El Salvador  | 6,340,889 | 1.0% | 12.0% | 86.0% | 0.13% | 1.0%
Guatemala  | 15,700,000 | 42.0% | 4.0% | 53.0% | 0.2% | 0.8%
Honduras  | 8,143,564 | 6.0% | 5.5% | 82.0% | 6.0% | 0.5%
Nicaragua  | 5,815,500 | 5.0% | 17.0% | 69.0% | 9.0% | 0.0%
Panama  | 3,474,562 | 6.0% | 10.0% | 65.0% | 14.0% | 5.0%
Total | 42,682,190 | 10.04% | 17.04% | 59.77% | 9.77% | 2.91%

### Religious groups

[edit]

Further information: Catholic Church in North America, Bahá'í Faith in Central America, Buddhism in Central America, and Anglican Church in Central America

The predominant religion in Central America is Christianity (95.6%).[67] Beginning with the Spanish colonization of Central America in the 16th century, 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.[68]

Proportions of the population by religion (2020)  Country  | Roman Catholic  | Protestant  | Other Christian  | Non-Affiliated  | Other

|
|
|
|
|

Belize  | 47.4%  | 34.5%  | 7.1%  | 6.8%  | 3.2%
Costa Rica  | 72.5%  | 19.5%  | 2.4%  | 4.5%  | 1.1%
El Salvador  | 55.8%  | 35.3%  | 3.6%  | 5.0%  | 0.3%
Guatemala  | 55.4%  | 25.9%  | 14.3%  | 4.0%  | 0.4%
Honduras  | 64.9%  | 29.1%  | 2.2%  | 3.1%  | 0.7%
Nicaragua  | 58.3%  | 36.7%  | 1.4%  | 3.4%  | 0.1%
Panama  | 66.1%  | 23.9%  | 1.8%  | 4.2%  | 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.

### Cathedrals

[edit]

* Cathedral of Guatemala City Guatemala

* Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Managua Nicaragua

* San Salvador Cathedral El Salvador

* Metropolitan Cathedral of San José Costa Rica

* Metropolitan Cathedral of Panama City Panama

* Tegucigalpa Cathedral Honduras

* Holy Redeemer Cathedral Belize

### Education

[edit]

* 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

### Gallery

[edit]

* Guatemala City

* San Salvador

* Tegucigalpa

* Managua

* San Jose, Costa Rica

* Panama City

* Belmopan

## Culture

[edit]

### Art

[edit]

* Guatemalan textiles

* Mola, Panama

* El Salvador La Plama art form

### National dishes

[edit]

* Pepián Guatemala

* Baleada Honduras

* Pupusa El Salvador

* Sancocho Panama

* Gallo pinto Costa Rica

* Nacatamal Nicaragua

* Rice and beans Belize

* Central American music
* Central American cuisine
* List of cuisines of the Americas – Central American cuisine

### Sport

[edit]

* 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

## See also

[edit]

* Central America portal
* North America portal
* Latin America portal
* Geography portal

* Americas (terminology)
* Central American Seaway
* Index of Central America-related articles
* Index of Belize-related articles
* Index of Costa Rica-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 cities in Belize
* List of cities in El Salvador
* List of places in Guatemala
* List of cities in Honduras
* List of cities in Nicaragua
* List of cities in Panama
* West Indies
* Central American reunification

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Spanish: centroamericano
2. ^ Including Cocos Island, one of the Central American Pacific Islands.
3. ^ 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 geographical societies.
4. ^ a b One of the Central American Pacific Islands.
5. ^ Comprising two remote island groups off the coast of Central America.
6. ^ Administered by Colombia, claimed by Jamaica and the United States.
7. ^ Administered by Colombia, claimed by Honduras, Jamaica, and the United States.
8. ^ Spanish: América Central [aˈmeɾika senˈtɾal] ⓘ or Centroamérica [sentɾoaˈmeɾika] ⓘ
9. ^ a b Values listed in millions USD.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Geography Statistics of Central America". WorldAtlas. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
2. ^ "Spain accepts Mexican independence". HISTORY. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
3. ^ Ribeiro, Pedro Freire (1995). Raízes do pensamento político da América Espanhola, 1780–1826. Niterói, RJ: Editora da Universidade Federal Fluminense. ISBN 85-228-0146-0. OCLC 35578070.
4. ^ a b "A Guide to the United States'History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consumer Relations, by Country, since 1776: Belize". Office of The Historian. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ United Nations Statistics Division (2017). "Standard country or area codes for statistical use (M49)". New York City: United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
7. ^ Augelli, JP (1962). "The Rimland-Mainland concept of culture areas in Middle America". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 52 (2): 119–29\. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8306.1962.tb00400.x. JSTOR 2561309.
8. ^ Hoopes, John W. and Oscar Fonseca Z. (2003). Goldwork and Chibchan Identity:Endogenous Change and Diffuse Unity in the Isthmo-Colombian Area (PDF). Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks. ISBN 978-0-8263-1000-2. Archived from the original (Online text reproduction) on 25 February 2009.
9. ^ Jones, Grant D. (1998). The Conquest of the Last Maya Kingdom. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. xix. ISBN 978-0804735223. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
10. ^ "United Provinces of Central America". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
11. ^ Livingstone, Grace (2013). America's Backyard: The United States and Latin America from the Monroe Doctrine to the War on Terror. Zed Books Ltd. p. 31\. ISBN 978-1-84813-611-3.
12. ^ Argueta, O; Huhn, S; Kurtenbach, S; Peetz, P (2011). "Blocked democracies in Central America" (PDF). GIGA Focus International Edition (5): 1–8\. ISSN 1862-3581. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
13. ^ "Extreme poverty increases in Nicaragua in 2013, study finds". American Free Press. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
14. ^ "Central America". Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
15. ^ Q, Pablo Fonseca (20 December 2023). "Central American volcanoes offer clues to Earth's geological evolution". Knowable Magazine. doi:10.1146/knowable-122023-1.
16. ^ "Central America: an active volcanic arc". www.eskp.de. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
17. ^ IBP, Inc. (2015). Central American Countries Mineral Industry Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Regulations. Lulu.com. pp. 7, 8. ISBN 978-1-329-09114-6.
18. ^ Taylor, MA; Alfaro, EJ (2005). "Central America and the Caribbean, Climate of". In Oliver, JE (ed.). Encyclopedia of world climatology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series (1st ed.). New York: Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 183–9. doi:10.1007/1-4020-3266-8_37. ISBN 978-1-4020-3264-6.
19. ^ a b "Central America" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
20. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Belize forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
21. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Costa Rica forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
22. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "El Salvador forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
23. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Guatemala forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
24. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Honduras forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
25. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Nicaragua forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
26. ^ Butler, RA (2006). "Panama forest information and data". Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.com. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
27. ^ Harvey, CA; Komar, O; Chazdon, R; Ferguson, BG (2008). "Integrating agricultural landscapes with biodiversity conservation in the Mesoamerican hotspot". Conservation Biology. 22 (1): 8–15\. Bibcode:2008ConBi..22....8H. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00863.x. PMID 18254848.
28. ^ Ramos, A (2 July 2010). "Belize protected areas 26% – not 40-odd percent". Amandala. Belize City. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
29. ^ Belize Barrier Reef case study Archived 5 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Westminster.edu. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
30. ^ a b Redo, DJ; Grau, HR; Aide, TM; Clark, ML (2012). "Asymmetric forest transition driven by the interaction of socioeconomic development and environmental heterogeneity in Central America". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 109 (23): 8839–44\. Bibcode:2012PNAS..109.8839R. doi:10.1073/pnas.1201664109. PMC 3384153. PMID 22615408.
31. ^ a b "Central American pine-oak forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
32. ^ a b "Talamancan montane forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
33. ^ a b "Central American montane forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
34. ^ Astiz, L; Kanamori, H; Eissler, H (1987). "Source characteristics of earthquakes in the Michoacan seismic gap in Mexico" (PDF). Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. 77 (4): 1326–46\. Bibcode:1987BuSSA..77.1326A. doi:10.1785/BSSA0770041326. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 January 2015.
35. ^ White, RA (1985). "The Guatemala earthquake of 1816 on the Chixoy-Polochic fault". Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. 75 (2): 455–73.
36. ^ "Central American leaders agree on common currency". France 24. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
37. ^ British Embassy San Salvador (10 June 2013). "Extra-Regional Observer of Central American Integration System". Strengthening UK relationships with El Salvador. London: Government Digital Service. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
38. ^ "Taiwan cuts ties with Costa Rica over recognition for China". The New York Times. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
39. ^ Ramzy, Austin (24 August 2018). "White House Criticizes China over el Salvador Recognition". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022.
40. ^ "Nicaragua cuts ties with Taiwan and pivots to China". The Guardian. 10 December 2021.
41. ^ a b International Monetary Fund (2012). "Report for selected countries and subjects". World economic outlook database, April 2012. Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
42. ^ a b International Monetary Fund (2012). "Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) valuation of country GDP". World economic outlook database, April 2012. Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
43. ^ Central Intelligence Agency (2014). "World exports by country". The world factbook. Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
44. ^ Central Intelligence Agency (2014). "Export partners of Guatemala". The world factbook. Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007.
45. ^ a b "Las "maquilas" no admiten sindicalistas | El Dipló". Archived from the original on 7 April 2011.
46. ^ International Monetary Fund (2014). World economic outlook October 2014: legacies, clouds, uncertainties (PDF). World economic and financial surveys. Washington, D.C.: International Monetary Fund. ISBN 978-1-4843-8066-6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
47. ^ Data mostly refers to IMF staff estimates for the year 2013, made in April 2014. World Economic Outlook Database-April 2014, International Monetary Fund. Accessed on 9 April 2014.
48. ^ Data refers mostly to the year 2012. World Development Indicators database, World Bank. Database updated on 18 December 2013. Accessed on 18 December 2013.
49. ^ Cuellar, M (1 March 2013). "Foreign direct investments and tourism up". Channel 5 Belize. Belize: Great Belize Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
50. ^ "2012: a remarkable year for Belize's tourism industry". The San Pedro Sun. San Pedro, Belize. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
51. ^ "Belize | Tours & Activities – Project Expedition". Project Expedition. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
52. ^ a b Rodríguez, A (16 January 2014). "Costa Rica registró la llegada de más de 2,4 millones de turistas en 2013" [Costa Rica registered the arrival of more than 2.4 million tourists in 2013]. La Nación (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
53. ^ Rojas, JE (29 December 2004). "Turismo, principal motor de la economía durante el 2004" [Tourism, the principal engine of the economy in 2004]. La Nación (in Spanish). San José, Costa Rica. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
54. ^ a b Inman, C (1997). "Impacts on developing countries of changing production and consumption patterns in developed countries: the case of ecotourism in Costa Rica" (PDF). Alajuela, Costa Rica: INCAE Business School. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
55. ^ Departamento de Estadísticas ICT (2006). "Anuário estadísticas de demanda 2006" (PDF) (in Spanish). Intituto Costarricense de Turismo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
56. ^ Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, ed. (2013). "Travel & tourism competitiveness report 2013" (PDF). World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
57. ^ Carroll, R (6 January 2007). "Ortega banks on tourism to beat poverty". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
58. ^ "Nicaragua exceeds one mn foreign tourists for first time". Sify. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
59. ^ a b "World Population Prospects 2022". United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
60. ^ a b "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950–2100" (XSLX) ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
61. ^ IBP, Inc (2009). Central America Economic Integration and Cooperation Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information, Organizations and Programs. Lulu.com. p. 8\. ISBN 978-1-4387-4280-9.
62. ^ "2018 HDI Statistical Update". 14 September 2018. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
63. ^ Central Intelligence Agency (2019). "The world factbook". Washington, D.C.: Central Intelligence Agency. Archived from the original on 1 June 2007.
64. ^ a b "Life expectancy at birth, total". The World Bank Group. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
65. ^ "Life expectancy at birth, male". The World Bank Group. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
66. ^ "Life expectancy at birth, female". The World Bank Group. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
67. ^ "Christianity in its Global Context" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 December 2016.
68. ^ Holland, CL (November 2005). Ethnic and religious diversity in Central America: a historical perspective (PDF). 2005 Annual Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. pp. 1–34\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2015.

## Further reading

[edit]

* 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. 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. online[dead link]
* Craig, Kern William. "Public Policy in Central America: An Empirical Analysis." Public Administration Research 2.2 (2013): 105+ online[dead link].
* 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). 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 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) 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

[edit]

* American Heritage Dictionaries, Central America (archived 14 March 2007)
* Central America. Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online[permanent dead link]. 2006. New York: Columbia University Press.
* Hernández, Consuelo (2009). Reconstruyendo a Centroamérica a través de la poesía. Voces y perspectivas en la poesia latinoamericana del siglo XX. Madrid: Visor.

Central America at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Definitions from Wiktionary
* Media from Commons
* News from Wikinews
* Quotations from Wikiquote
* Texts from Wikisource
* Textbooks from Wikibooks
* Resources from Wikiversity
* Travel information from Wikivoyage
* Data from Wikidata

* Central America Video Links from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives
* Central America country pages[permanent dead link]
* Teaching Central America

* v
* t
* e

Central America

Sovereign states|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* v
* t
* e

Central American music

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Garifuna
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Maya
* Nicaragua
* Panama

* v
* t
* e

Central American volcanoes

Guatemala|

* Acatenango
* Agua
* Almolonga
* Atitlán
* Chicabal
* Cuilapa-Barbarena
* Fuego
* Jumay
* Moyuta
* Pacaya
* Santa María/Santiaguito
* San Pedro
* Santo Tomás
* Siete Orejas
* Tacaná
* Tajumulco
* Tecuamburro
* Tolimán

El Salvador|

* Chinameca
* Chingo
* Conchagua
* Izalco
* Santa Ana
* San Miguel
* San Salvador
* San Vicente
* Usulután

Nicaragua|

* Apoyeque
* Cerro Negro
* Concepción
* Cosigüina
* Maderas
* Masaya
* Mombacho
* Momotombo
* San Cristóbal
* Telica

Costa Rica|

* Arenal
* Irazú
* Miravalles
* Platanar
* Poás
* Rincón de la Vieja
* Tenorio
* Turrialba

Panama|

* Barú
* La Yeguada
* El Valle

Note: volcanoes are ordered from north-west to south-east.

* v
* t
* e

Central American and Caribbean Games

Central American and Caribbean Games|

* 1926 Mexico City
* 1930 Havana
* 1935 San Salvador
* 1938 Panama City
* 1946 Barranquilla
* 1950 Guatemala City
* 1954 Mexico City
* 1959 Caracas
* 1962 Kingston
* 1966 San Juan
* 1970 Panama City
* 1974 Santo Domingo
* 1978 Medellín
* 1982 Havana
* 1986 Santiago
* 1990 Mexico City
* 1993 Ponce
* 1998 Maracaibo
* 2002 San Salvador
* 2006 Cartagena
* 2010 Mayagüez
* 2014 Veracruz
* 2018 Baranquilla
* 2023 San Salvador
* 2026 Santo Domingo
* 2030 TBD

Central American and Caribbean Beach Games|

* 2022 Santa Marta
* 2025 Puntarenas

Central American and Caribbean Junior Games|

* 2024

* v
* t
* e

Cuisine of Latin America and the Caribbean

Caribbean|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* Grenada
* Haiti
* Jamaica
* Puerto Rico
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Sint Maarten
* Trinidad and Tobago

Central America|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

North America|

* Mexico

South America|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* French Guiana
* Guyana
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Suriname
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Dependencies not included. Semi-autonomous territories are in italics.

* v
* t
* e

Culture of Latin America and the Caribbean

Caribbean|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* Grenada
* Haiti
* Jamaica
* Puerto Rico
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Sint Maarten
* Trinidad and Tobago

Central America|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

North America|

* Mexico

South America|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* French Guiana
* Guyana
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Suriname
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Dependencies not included. Semi-autonomous territories are in italics.

* v
* t
* e

Earth's primary regions and subregions

Worlds|

* Down Under
* New World
* Old World
* Three/Four Worlds
* First World
* Second World
* Third World
* Fourth World

Hemispheres|

* Eastern
* Land Hemisphere
* Northern
* Southern
* Water Hemisphere
* Western

Landmasses|

* Africa-Eurasia
* Eurasia
* Americas
* Antarctica
* Australia
* Zealandia
* submerged
* Tectonic plates

Continents|

| Africa|

| North|

* Maghreb

|

Sub-Saharan|

* Central
* East
* Horn
* Great Lakes
* Southern
* West

Antarctica|

* East Antarctica
* Antarctic Plateau
* Transantarctic Mountains
* West Antarctica
* Antarctic Peninsula

Asia|

| East|

* Northeast

|

Southeast|

* Mainland
* Maritime

Central|

* Aral Sea
* Aralkum Desert
* Caspian Sea

North|

* Siberia
* Ural
* Russian Far East
* Northeast

South|

* Indian subcontinent
* Subregions

West|

* Arabian Peninsula
* Caucasus
* South Caucasus
* Levant
* Dead Sea
* Levantine corridor
* Levantine Sea
* Near East

Other
regions|

| Himalayan|

* Himalayan states
* Indian region

|

Inner Asia|

* Greater Central Asia

Europe|

| Eastern|

* Balkans
* Caucasus
* North Caucasus
* South Caucasus
* Southern Russia
* European Russia
* Southeastern

|

Northern|

* Baltic
* British Isles
* Nordic
* Northwestern
* Scandinavia
* Scandinavian Peninsula

Southern|

* Mediterranean
* Middle East
* Italy
* Italian peninsula
* South-eastern
* Balkan Peninsula
* South-western
* Iberian Peninsula

Western|

* Atlantic
* Low Countries
* Northwestern

Other
regions|

* Central Europe
* By language
* Celtic
* Germanic
* Romance
* Slavic
* Macaronesia

North
America|

| Northern
America|

* Greenland
* Great Lakes
* Pacific Northwest

| United States|

* Appalachia
* Bible Belt
* Eastern
* East Coast
* Northern
* Southeast
* Southwest

|

U.S. Census
regions|

* Northeastern
* New England
* Mid-Atlantic
* Midwest
* South
* Western
* Mountain
* Pacific

Canada|

* Atlantic
* Canadian Prairies
* Central
* Eastern
* Northern
* Western

Middle
America|

* Aridoamerica
* Greater Caribbean
* Caribbean
* West Indies
* Central Am.
* Mesoamerica
* Northern Mexico

Oceania|

| Australasia|

* Australia
* Mainland Australia
* New Guinea
* Tasmania
* Zealandia

|

* Melanesia
* Island Melanesia
* Micronesia
* Near Oceania
* Polynesia
* Remote Oceania

South
America|

* Amazon Plain

* Amazon Basin
* Amazon Rainforest

* Andean States
* Brazilian Highlands
* Caribbean South America
* The Guianas
* Southern Cone

* Patagonia

Geopolitical
regions|

| Global|

* East
* Heartland
* North
* Northeast
* Northwest
* South
* Southeast
* Southwest
* West

|

Asia–Pacific|

* Far East
* Pacific Asia
* Sinosphere
* Greater China
* Indosphere
* Greater India

Europe,
the Middle East
and Africa|

* Mediterranean

| Greater
Middle East|

* Middle East and North Africa
* Middle East
* Arab world
* Mashriq
* Maghreb
* Greater Iran
* Iranian plateau

|

Americas|

* Anglo
* Dutch
* French

| Latin America
and the Caribbean|

* Latin
* Ibero
* Hispanic
* Portuguese

|

Islands|

| By continent|

* Africa
* Americas
* North America
* Caribbean
* Central America
* South America
* Antarctica
* Asia
* Europe
* by area
* by population
* Oceania
* Australia
* New Zealand

|

By ocean|

* Arctic
* Atlantic
* Baltic Sea
* Black Sea
* Caribbean Sea
* Irish Sea
* Mediterranean Sea
* Adriatic Sea
* Aegean Sea
* Ionian Sea
* Indian
* Persian Gulf
* Pacific
* East China Sea
* South China Sea
* Southern

Oceans|

* Antarctic/Southern
* Antarctic Convergence
* Arctic
* Atlantic
* Indian
* Pacific
* Great Barrier Reef
* Mariana Trench
* Challenger Deep
* Ring of Fire
* World Ocean

Other
waterbodies|

* Lakes
* lists
* Rivers
* Seas

Rim|

* Arctic
* Atlantic
* Indo-Mediterranean
* Indian Ocean
* Mediterranean
* Pacific

Polar|

* Antarctic
* Arctic

* Continents of Earth / List of seas / Physical Earth

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Japan
* Czech Republic
* Spain
* Israel

Other|

* NARA
* Yale LUX

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