GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Honduras.
Capital
Tegucigalpa.
Geography
According to payhelpcenter, Honduras, together with Nicaragua, lies at the widest point of the Central American land bridge and borders on Nicaragua in the southeast, Guatemala in the northwest and El Salvador in the southwest. In the north lies the Caribbean (644 km coast) and in the south the Pacific (124 km coast). A mountain range, which is crossed by several rivers, runs through the predominantly mountainous country from east to west. There are numerous volcanic islands in front of the Golfo de Fonseca in the southwest. There are numerous banana plantations in the valleys on the Caribbean coast. Most of the population lives in the western part of the country and in the Cortés area north of Lake Yojoa.
Government
Presidential republic since 1982. Constitution from 1982, last amendment 1999. Unicameral Parliament (Asamblea Nacional) with 128 members. The executive rests with the President, who is elected for four years (no re-election). Independent since 1821 (former Spanish colony), finally since 1838 (leaving the Central American Confederation).
Head of state
Juan Orlando Hernández, since December 2013.
Electricity
110 V, 60 Hz, adapter recommended.
Time zone
Central Standard Time: CET -7
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into Honduras duty-free:
200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco;
2 bottles (each up to 1 l) of alcoholic beverages;
Perfume for personal use;
Gifts up to a total value of US $ 50.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
It is common to address the business partner by title, especially at the first meeting. Well-groomed clothing is expected of business people. There are hardly any interpreting and translation services. Many business people speak English, but correspondence should be in Spanish.
Business hours: Mo-Fr 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-5 p.m., Sa 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
Government agencies: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4.30 p.m.
Economy
Commercial department of the Honduran Embassy
Cuxhavener Strasse 14, D-10555 Berlin
Tel: (030) 39 74 97 11.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara de Comercio e Industrias de Tegucigalpa (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Blvd. Centroamérica Apdo. Postal No. 3444, Tegucigalpa
Tel: 232 42 00.
Internet: http://www.ccit.hn/
Business contacts
Commercial department of the Honduran Embassy
Cuxhavener Strasse 14, D-10555 Berlin
Tel: (030) 39 74 97 11.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland
c / o DPS Communications, Gessnerallee 28, CH-8001 Zurich
Tel: (044) 699 54 47.
Internet: www.latcam.ch
Cámara de Comercio e Industrias de Tegucigalpa (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Blvd. Centroamérica Apdo. Postal No. 3444, Tegucigalpa
Tel: 232 42 00.
Internet: http://www.ccit.hn/
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service. The national telephone company is called Empresa Hondureña de Telecomunicaciones (Hondutel) (Internet: www.hondutel.hn). Public phones are often card phones.
Cellphone
GSM 850/1900. The main network operators are Celtel (Internet: www.celtel.net) and Aloe (Internet: www.alo.hn).
Internet
Internet provider is NetSys (Internet: www.netsys.hn). There are internet cafes in larger cities.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes 4-7 days. Post office opening times: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
The local handicrafts are very beautiful and also inexpensive. Popular souvenirs include wood carvings, cigars, leather items, straw hats, jewelry made from glass beads, seeds and dried legumes, bags and baskets. Shop opening times: i. A. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
There are cinemas and nightclubs in the larger cities.
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
Mostly Roman Catholic (97%), minorities of Anglicans, Baha’i and Baptists.
Social rules of conduct
The Spanish influence can be felt everywhere; the majority of the population are mestizos who are mainly employed in agriculture and have a low standard of living. The traditional lifestyle has been preserved in many villages. The usual forms of courtesy should be observed. If you are invited to a private home, it is a nice gesture to send the hostess a bouquet of flowers (before or after the visit). Low-key everyday clothing is accepted everywhere; in the coastal areas it is usually a little more casual. Swimwear and shorts should only be worn at the swimming pool or beach. Men should pack a tuxedo. Tip:10-15%, usually included in the bill in restaurants. Porters and taxi drivers expect 0.5 to 1 L for help with luggage transport.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Temperatures depending on the altitude. Hot on the north coast, rainfall all year round. In the south (Pacific coast) a warm, humid tropical climate with a pronounced dry season. At high altitudes (600-1800 m) temperate climate, average temperatures: 16-20 ° C. Dry season November – April, rainy season May – October. In the period from June to September, tropical storms (cyclones) must be expected.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +504 Area (square km) 112 090 Population 8746673 Population density (per square km) 78 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 195