Honduras
Country in Central America, bounded N by the Caribbean Sea, SE by Nicaragua,
S by the Pacific Ocean, SW by El Salvador, and W and NW by Guatemala.
Government
The 1982 constitution, which underwent a major revision 1985, provides
for a president and a single-chamber national assembly, both elected
by universal suffrage for a four-year term. The president is head of
both state and government, and may not serve two terms in succession.
The size of the assembly, with 128 members in 1995, may be amended in
the light of population changes.
History
Originally part of the Maya civilization, the area was reached by Christopher
Columbus 1502, and was colonized by Spain from 1526. Becoming independent
from Spain 1821, Honduras was part of the United Provinces of Central
America until 1840, when it achieved full independence. Independence
During the first 30 years after independence, power lay with the cattle
barons. Violence and banditry prevailed in the countryside. In 1876,
the Liberal Marco Aurelio Soto gained power and imposed order on Honduras.
During his presidency, 1876-83, warfare ceased. He introduced the telegraph
and supported road building. However, for much of the 19th and early
20th centuries there was political instability and wars with neighbouring
states. US involvement was significant, with the United Fruit company
controlling much of the country's crucial banana production. By 1930,
through the efforts of the United Fruit company and the Standard Fruit
company, Honduras had become the world's leading exporter of bananas.
In 1925 there was a brief civil war and from 1939 until 1949 a dictatorship
was established by the leader of the National Party (PNH).
The government changed in a series of military coups, until the return
of civilian rule 1980.
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