About Honduras

UMF conducts its microfinance activities and research in Honduras. To do what we do, understanding our context is vitally important.

Following are some key characteristics of Honduras that influence the circumstances of our work.

• Language: Spanish
• Religion: predominately Catholic and Evangelical Christian
• Population: 8.2 million people (third most populated country in Central America)
• GDP per capita (PPP): $4,100 (22% of this is from remittances)
• Primary Exports: Coffee, Bananas
• Agricultural Production: 45% of Honduras economy
• Population in Poverty: 50-60% (2nd poorest country in Central America)

(adapted from wikipedia.org and the CIA World Factbook)

Location & Geography

Honduras in located in Central America and is roughly the size of Tennessee. It has the Caribbean Sea to the North, El Salvador to the West, and Nicaragua to the South and East. Honduras' tropical climate in the eastern lowlands is contrasted by its more temperate conditions in the western highlands. The highlands are characterized by rolling hills, cloud forests, and mountains inhabited by small rural communities; these are the communities UMF works with.