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[ 0 => '{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}', 1 => '{{Infobox', 2 => '| bodyclass = geography', 3 => '| above = Central America', 4 => '| image = [[File:Central America (orthographic projection).svg|220px|Map of Central America]]', 5 => '| label1 = Area', 6 => '| data1 = {{convert|523780|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}<ref name=handbook2013/>', 7 => '| label2 = Population', 8 => '| data2 = 42,682,190 (2012 estimate)<ref name=IndexMundi2012/>', 9 => '| label3 = Density', 10 => '| data3 = {{convert|77|/km2|/sqmi|sp=us}}', 11 => '| label4 = Countries', 12 => '| data4 = {{unbulleted list|{{flag|Belize}}|{{flag|Costa Rica}}|{{flag|El Salvador}}|{{flag|Guatemala}}|{{flag|Honduras}}|{{flag|Nicaragua}}|{{flag|Panama}}}}', 13 => '| label5 = Demonym', 14 => '| data5 = Central American', 15 => '| label6 = GDP', 16 => '| data6 = $203.73 billion ([[exchange rate]]) (2013) <br/> $370.52 billion ([[purchasing power parity]]) (2013).', 17 => '| label7 = GDP per capita', 18 => '| data7 = $4,783 (exchange rate) (2013) <br/> $8,698 (purchasing power parity) (2013).', 19 => '| label8 = Languages', 20 => '| data8 = [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[English language|English]], [[Mayan languages]], [[Garifuna language|Garifuna]], [[Belizean Creole|Kriol]], and [[Mesoamerican languages|other languages of Mesoamerica]]', 21 => '| label9 = Time Zones', 22 => '| data9 = UTC – 6:00, UTC – 5:00', 23 => '| label10= Largest cities (2010)', 24 => '| data10 = [[List of largest cities in Central America|List of 10 largest cities in Central America]]<ref name=Hubbard2015/><!--This list is specifically the city, not the metropolitan area. If you believe it is inaccurate, then find a reference that states other information. The reference we have (just before this comment) states the following:--><!----><br/>', 25 => '{{flagicon|Guatemala}} [[Guatemala City]]<!--1,104,890--><!----><br/>', 26 => '{{flagicon|Nicaragua}} [[Managua]]<!--2,201,000--><!----><br/>', 27 => '{{flagicon|Honduras}} [[Tegucigalpa]]<!--1,126,534--><!----><br/>', 28 => '{{flagicon|Panama}} [[Panama City]]<!--880,691--><!----><br/>', 29 => '{{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[San Salvador|San Salvador City]]<!--540,898--><!----><br/>', 30 => '{{flagicon|Honduras}} [[San Pedro Sula]]<!--538,101--><!----><br/>', 31 => '{{flagicon|Costa Rica}} [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]<!--347,281--><!----><br/>', 32 => '{{flagicon|Panama}} [[San Miguelito District|San Miguelito]]<!--293,745--><!----><br/>', 33 => '{{flagicon|El Salvador}} [[Santa Ana, El Salvador|Santa Ana]]<!--245,241--><!----><br/>', 34 => '{{flagicon|Guatemala}} [[Quetzaltenango]]<!--225,000--><!---->', 35 => '}}', 36 => '{{Central America series}}', 37 => ''''Central America''' ({{lang-es|América Central'', ''Centroamérica'' or ''América del Centro}}) is the southernmost, [[Isthmus of Panama|isthmian]] portion of the [[North America]]n [[continent]], which connects with [[South America]] on the southeast. Central America is bordered by [[Mexico]] to the north, [[Colombia]] to the southeast, the [[Caribbean Sea]] to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Central America consists of seven countries: [[Belize]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Guatemala]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], and [[Panama]]. The combined population of Central America is between 41,739,000 (2009 estimate)<ref name=handbook2013/> and 42,688,190 (2012 estimate).<ref name=IndexMundi2012/>', 38 => 'The Central American land mass has an area of {{convert|523780|km2|sqmi|sp=us}},<ref name=handbook2013/> or almost 0.1% of the Earth's surface. It is part of the [[Mesoamerica]]n [[biodiversity hotspot]], which extends from northern Guatemala through central Panama. Due to the presence of several [[active fault|active geologic faults]] and the [[Central America Volcanic Arc]], there is a great deal of seismic activity in the region. [[Types of volcanic eruptions|Volcanic eruptions]] and earthquakes occur frequently; these natural disasters have resulted in the loss of many lives and much property.', 39 => false, 40 => 'In the [[Pre-Columbian era]], Central America was inhabited by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous]] peoples of Mesoamerica, especially the [[Maya peoples|Mayans]] and the [[Aztec]]s. Soon after [[Christopher Columbus]]'s voyages to the Americas, the Spanish began to [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonize the Americas]]. From 1609 until 1821, most of the territory within Central America—except for the lands that would become Belize and Panama—was governed as the [[Captaincy General of Guatemala]]. After achieving independence from Spain in 1821, the former Captaincy General was annexed to the [[First Mexican Empire]], but soon seceded from Mexico to form the [[Federal Republic of Central America]], which lasted from 1823 to 1838. The seven nations finally became independent autonomous nations, beginning with Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala (1838), followed by El Salvador (1841), then Panama (1903), and finally Belize (1981).', 41 => false, 42 => '==Different definitions==', 43 => '[[File:CAmerica.gif|thumb|The Central America region is made up of seven countries Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, which chain down the Central American isthmus. Central America is a strategic land bridge that connects mainland North America and South America, as well as the Pacific and Atlantic ocean.]]', 44 => '"Central America" may mean different things to various people, based upon different contexts:', 45 => '* The [[United Nations statistical divisions for the Americas]] defines the region as all states of mainland North America south of the United States and specifically includes all of Mexico, but clearly this is only for statistical purposes.<ref name=UN2013/>', 46 => '* In Latin America (especially in [[Ibero-America]]) and also in [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]], although it is agreed what Central America is, they also could consider the Americas a single continent, and Central America is considered a part of North America.{{disputed-inline|Latin Americans do not consider Central America as part of North America|date=September 2015}}', 47 => '* In Brazil, Central America comprises all countries between Mexico and Colombia, including those in the Caribbean.', 48 => '* Some geographers include the [[Administrative divisions of Mexico#States|Mexican states]] of [[Campeche]], [[Chiapas]], [[Tabasco]], [[Quintana Roo]], and [[Yucatán (state)|Yucatán]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 49 => '* Mexico, in whole or in part, is sometimes included by British people.<ref name=MW/><ref name=Burchfield2004/><ref name=IMF2014/>', 50 => '* Occasionally, regardless of correctness, the term "Central America" is used synonymously with "[[Middle America (Americas)|Middle America]]".<ref name=Augelli1962/>', 51 => false, 52 => '==History==', 53 => '{{main|History of Central America}}', 54 => '[[File:1798 Cassini Map of Florida, Louisiana, Cuba, and Central America - Geographicus - MessicoFlorida-cassini-1798.jpg|thumb|Central America, 1798]]', 55 => '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 the southern areas of Central America traded with both Mesoamerica and South America, and can be considered transitional between those two cultural areas.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 56 => false, 57 => 'Following [[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 [[Ko'woj]] and the [[Itza people]] – were finally defeated in 1697, as part of the [[Spanish conquest of Petén]].{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 58 => false, 59 => 'In 1538, Spain established the ''[[Real Audiencia of Panama#First installation|Audiencia Real de 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.', 60 => false, 61 => '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 [[Intendant#Spain and the Spanish Empire|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 free from Spanish authority by 28 September 1821.', 62 => false, 63 => '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 [[Agustín de Iturbide|Emperor of Mexico]] was overthrown 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}}', 64 => false, 65 => 'The Federal Republic of Central America was a [[representative democracy]] with its capital at [[Guatemala City]]. This union consisted of the provinces of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, [[Los Altos, Central America|Los Altos]], [[Mosquito Coast]], and Nicaragua. The lowlands of southwest Chiapas, including Soconusco, initially belonged to the Republic until 1824, when Mexico annexed most of Chiapas and began its claims to Soconusco. The Republic lasted from 1823 to 1838, when it disintegrated as a result of civil wars.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 66 => false, 67 => '[[History of Belize (1506–1862)|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.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 68 => false, 69 => 'Panama, situated in the southernmost part of Central America on the [[Isthmus of Panama]], has for most of its history been culturally 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}}', 70 => false, 71 => '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 (only [[Haiti]] is poorer).<ref name=ticotimes/>', 72 => false, 73 => '==Geography==', 74 => '{{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|List of islands of Central America|List of mountain peaks of Central America|List of Ultras of Central America}}', 75 => '[[File:Map of Central America.png|thumb|The seven countries of Central America and their capitals]]', 76 => 'Central America is the tapering isthmus of southern North America, with unique and varied geographic features. The Pacific Ocean lies to the southwest, the Caribbean Sea lies to the northeast, and the [[Gulf of Mexico]] lies to the north. 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 [[Isthmus of Panama]], where it connects to the [[Pacific/Chocó natural region|Pacific Lowlands]] in northwestern South America.', 77 => false, 78 => '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:', 79 => false, 80 => '<center>', 81 => ''''High points in Central America'''', 82 => '{| class="wikitable sortable"', 83 => '|-', 84 => '! Country', 85 => '! Name', 86 => '! Elevation (meters)', 87 => '! Range', 88 => '|-', 89 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Belize}}', 90 => '|[[Doyle's Delight]]', 91 => '|1124', 92 => '|[[Cockscomb Range]]', 93 => '|-', 94 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Costa Rica}}', 95 => '|[[Cerro Chirripó]]', 96 => '|3820', 97 => '|[[Cordillera de Talamanca]]', 98 => '|-', 99 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|El Salvador}}', 100 => '|[[Cerro El Pital]]', 101 => '|2730', 102 => '|[[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]', 103 => '|-', 104 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Guatemala}}', 105 => '|[[Volcán Tajumulco]]', 106 => '|4220', 107 => '|[[Sierra Madre de Chiapas]]', 108 => '|-', 109 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Honduras}}', 110 => '|[[Cerro Las Minas]]', 111 => '|2780', 112 => '|[[Cordillera de Celaque]]', 113 => '|-', 114 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Nicaragua}}', 115 => '|[[Mogotón]]', 116 => '|2107', 117 => '|[[Cordillera Isabelia]]', 118 => '|-', 119 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Panama}}', 120 => '|[[Volcán Barú]]', 121 => '|3474', 122 => '|[[Cordillera de Talamanca]]', 123 => '|-', 124 => '|}', 125 => '</center>', 126 => false, 127 => '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.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}', 128 => false, 129 => '[[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/>', 130 => false, 131 => '==Biodiversity==', 132 => '{{see also|Central America bioregion}}', 133 => '[[File:El Chorreron, San Fernando, El Salvador.jpg|thumb|El Chorreron in El Salvador]]', 134 => '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 ecozone|Nearctic]] and the [[Neotropic ecozone]]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:', 135 => false, 136 => '<center>', 137 => ''''Biodiversity in Central America (number of different species of terrestrial vertebrate animals and vascular plants)'''', 138 => '{|class="wikitable sortable"', 139 => '|-', 140 => '! Country', 141 => '! Amphibian <br/>species', 142 => '! Bird <br/>species', 143 => '! Mammal <br/>species', 144 => '! Reptile <br/>species', 145 => '! Total terrestrial <br/>vertebrate species', 146 => '! Vascular plants <br/>species', 147 => '! Biodiversity', 148 => '|-', 149 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Belize}}<ref name=MongabayB/>', 150 => '|style="text-align:center;"|46', 151 => '|style="text-align:center;"|544', 152 => '|style="text-align:center;"|147', 153 => '|style="text-align:center;"|140', 154 => '|style="text-align:center;"|877', 155 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2894', 156 => '|style="text-align:center;"|3771', 157 => '|-', 158 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Costa Rica}}<ref name=MongabayCR/>', 159 => '|style="text-align:center;"|183', 160 => '|style="text-align:center;"|838', 161 => '|style="text-align:center;"|232', 162 => '|style="text-align:center;"|258', 163 => '|style="text-align:center;"|1511', 164 => '|style="text-align:center;"|12119', 165 => '|style="text-align:center;"|13630', 166 => '|-', 167 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|El Salvador}}<ref name=MongabayES/>', 168 => '|style="text-align:center;"|30', 169 => '|style="text-align:center;"|434', 170 => '|style="text-align:center;"|137', 171 => '|style="text-align:center;"|106', 172 => '|style="text-align:center;"|707', 173 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2911', 174 => '|style="text-align:center;"|3618', 175 => '|-', 176 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Guatemala}}<ref name=MongabayG/>', 177 => '|style="text-align:center;"|133', 178 => '|style="text-align:center;"|684', 179 => '|style="text-align:center;"|193', 180 => '|style="text-align:center;"|236', 181 => '|style="text-align:center;"|1246', 182 => '|style="text-align:center;"|8681', 183 => '|style="text-align:center;"|9927', 184 => '|-', 185 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Honduras}}<ref name=MongabayH/>', 186 => '|style="text-align:center;"|101', 187 => '|style="text-align:center;"|699', 188 => '|style="text-align:center;"|201', 189 => '|style="text-align:center;"|213', 190 => '|style="text-align:center;"|1214', 191 => '|style="text-align:center;"|5680', 192 => '|style="text-align:center;"|6894', 193 => '|-', 194 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Nicaragua}}<ref name=MongabayN/>', 195 => '|style="text-align:center;"|61', 196 => '|style="text-align:center;"|632', 197 => '|style="text-align:center;"|181', 198 => '|style="text-align:center;"|178', 199 => '|style="text-align:center;"|1052', 200 => '|style="text-align:center;"|7590', 201 => '|style="text-align:center;"|8642', 202 => '|-', 203 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Panama}}<ref name=MongabayP/>', 204 => '|style="text-align:center;"|182', 205 => '|style="text-align:center;"|904', 206 => '|style="text-align:center;"|241', 207 => '|style="text-align:center;"|242', 208 => '|style="text-align:center;"|1569', 209 => '|style="text-align:center;"|9915', 210 => '|style="text-align:center;"|11484', 211 => '|-', 212 => false, 213 => '|', 214 => '|', 215 => '|', 216 => '|', 217 => '|', 218 => '|', 219 => '|', 220 => '|}', 221 => '</center>', 222 => '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/>', 223 => false, 224 => '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.', 225 => 'So far only about 10% of the species in the Belize barrier reef have been discovered.<ref name=westminster/>', 226 => false, 227 => '===Flora===', 228 => '[[Image: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]]', 229 => '[[File:Ecoregion NT0303.svg|thumb|Distribution of pine-oak forests in Central America, which has been declared a [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]] [[ecoregion]]]]', 230 => '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/>', 231 => false, 232 => '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]].', 233 => false, 234 => '[[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]], and species of ''[[Weinmannia]]'', ''[[Drimys]]'', and ''[[Magnolia]]''.<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]].', 235 => false, 236 => '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/>', 237 => false, 238 => '===Fauna===', 239 => '{{see also|List of Central American mammals|List of Central American monkey species}}', 240 => '[[File:Resplendent Quetzal JCB.JPG|thumb|left|100px|The [[resplendent quetzal]], an endemic species in Central America, is endangered]]', 241 => 'Ecoregions are not only established to protect the forests themselves but also because they are habitat 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 extincition are unknown. Global warming may have played a role, because the development of fog that 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.', 242 => false, 243 => '==Geology==', 244 => '[[File:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|Central America and the [[Caribbean Plate]]]]', 245 => '{{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}}', 246 => '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.', 247 => false, 248 => '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|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]], [[1982 El Salvador earthquake|1982]], [[1992 Nicaragua earthquake|1992]], [[2001 El Salvador earthquakes|2001]], [[2007 Guatemala earthquake|2007]], [[2012 Guatemala earthquake|2012]], [[October 2014 Nicaragua earthquake|2014]], and many other earthquakes throughout Central America.', 249 => false, 250 => '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]].', 251 => false, 252 => '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/>', 253 => false, 254 => '[[Managua]], the capital of Nicaragua, was devastated by earthquakes in [[1931 Nicaragua earthquake|1931]] and [[1972 Nicaragua earthquake|1972]].', 255 => false, 256 => '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.', 257 => false, 258 => '==Demographics==', 259 => '{{see also|Ethnic groups in Central America|Latin Americans}}', 260 => '[[File:Guatemalacityvolcanoes.jpg|thumb|[[Guatemala City]] is the largest city in Central America]]', 261 => '[[File:Atardecer de San Salvador desde Los Planes de Renderos.jpg|thumb|[[San Salvador]] is the second largest urban center in Central America]]', 262 => 'The population of Central America is estimated at 42,688,190 as of 2012.<ref name=IndexMundi2012/> With an area of {{convert|523780|km2|sqmi|sp=us}},<ref name=handbook2013/> it has a population density of {{convert|81|/km2|/sqmi|sp=us}}.', 263 => false, 264 => '{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"', 265 => '|+ Countries of Central America', 266 => '|-', 267 => '! Name of territory,<br/>with flag', 268 => '! [[List of countries and dependencies by area|Area]]<br/>(km²)<ref name=cia/>', 269 => '! [[List of countries and dependencies by population|Population]]<br/>(July 2013 est.)', 270 => '! [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|Population <br/>density]]<br/>(per km²)', 271 => '! Capital', 272 => '! [[Official language|Official <br/>language]]', 273 => '! [[Human Development Index]]', 274 => '|-', 275 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Belize}}', 276 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|22966}}', 277 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|334297}}', 278 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|13}}', 279 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[Belmopan]]', 280 => '|style="text-align:center;"|English', 281 => '|0,715 <span style="color:#00CC00">'''High'''</span>', 282 => '|-', 283 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Costa Rica}}', 284 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|51100}}', 285 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|4695942}}', 286 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|82}}', 287 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]', 288 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 289 => '|0,766 <span style="color:#00CC00">'''High'''</span>', 290 => '|-', 291 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|El Salvador}}', 292 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|21040}}', 293 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|6108590}}', 294 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|292}}', 295 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[San Salvador]]', 296 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 297 => '|0,666 <span style="color:#FFCC00">'''Medium'''</span>', 298 => '|-', 299 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Guatemala}}', 300 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|108890}}', 301 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|14373472}}', 302 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|129}}', 303 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[Guatemala City]]', 304 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 305 => '|0,627 <span style="color:#FFCC00">'''Medium'''</span>', 306 => '|-', 307 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Honduras}}', 308 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|112090}}', 309 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|8448465}}', 310 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|67}}', 311 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[Tegucigalpa]]', 312 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 313 => '|0,606 <span style="color:#FFCC00">'''Medium'''</span>', 314 => '|-', 315 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Nicaragua}}', 316 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|130373}}', 317 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|5788531}}', 318 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|44}}', 319 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[Managua]]', 320 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 321 => '|0,631 <span style="color:#FFCC00">'''Medium'''</span>', 322 => '|-', 323 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Panama}}', 324 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|78200}}', 325 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|3559408}}', 326 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|44}}', 327 => '|style="text-align:left;"|[[Panama City]]', 328 => '|style="text-align:center;"|Spanish', 329 => '|0,780 <span style="color:#00CC00">'''High'''</span>', 330 => '|- style="background:#F2F2F2; font-weight:bold; "', 331 => '! Total', 332 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|523780}}', 333 => '|style="text-align:right;"|{{nts|43308660}}', 334 => '|style="text-align:center;"|{{nts|80}}', 335 => '|style="text-align:center;"|-', 336 => '|style="text-align:center;"|-', 337 => '|style="text-align:center;"|-', 338 => '|}', 339 => false, 340 => '{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"', 341 => '|+ Largest metropolitan areas in Central America', 342 => '! '''City'''', 343 => '! '''Country'''', 344 => '! '''Population'''', 345 => '! '''Census Year'''', 346 => '! '''% of National<br>population'''', 347 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 348 => '|(1) [[Guatemala City]]', 349 => '|{{flag|Guatemala}}', 350 => '|style="text-align:right;"|3,700,000', 351 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2010', 352 => '|style="text-align:center;"|26%', 353 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 354 => '|(2) [[San Salvador]]', 355 => '|{{flag|El Salvador}}', 356 => '|style="text-align:right;"|2,415,217', 357 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2009', 358 => '|style="text-align:center;"|39%', 359 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 360 => '|(3) [[Managua]]', 361 => '|{{flag|Nicaragua}}', 362 => '|style="text-align:right;"|1,918,000', 363 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2012', 364 => '|style="text-align:center;"|34%', 365 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 366 => '|(4) [[Tegucigalpa]]', 367 => '|{{flag|Honduras}}', 368 => '|style="text-align:right;"|1,819,000', 369 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2010', 370 => '|style="text-align:center;"|24%', 371 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 372 => '|(5) [[San Pedro Sula]]', 373 => '|{{flag|Honduras}}', 374 => '|style="text-align:right;"|1,600,000', 375 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2010', 376 => '|style="text-align:center;"|21%+4', 377 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 378 => '|(6) [[Panama City]]', 379 => '|{{flag|Panama}}', 380 => '|style="text-align:right;"|1,400,000', 381 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2010', 382 => '|style="text-align:center;"|37%', 383 => '|- style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"', 384 => '|(7) [[San José, Costa Rica|San Jose]]', 385 => '|{{flag|Costa Rica}}', 386 => '|style="text-align:right;"|1,275,000', 387 => '|style="text-align:center;"|2013', 388 => '|style="text-align:center;"|30%', 389 => '|}', 390 => '{{Clear left}}', 391 => false, 392 => '===Languages===', 393 => '{{see also|Central American Spanish}}', 394 => '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]] and [[Garifuna language|Garifuna]] are also present in Central America.', 395 => '<center>', 396 => '{|class="sortable wikitable"', 397 => '|-', 398 => '|colspan="10"|<center>'''Languages in Central America (2010)'''</center>', 399 => '|-', 400 => '! Pos.!!Countries !!Population !!% Spanish!!% Mayan languages!!% English !!% Xinca !!% Garifuna', 401 => '|-bgcolor=#efefef', 402 => '|-bgcolor=#ffffff', 403 => '|1||Guatemala||15,284,000||64.7%||34.3%||0.0%||0.7%||0.3%', 404 => '|-bgcolor=#efefef', 405 => '|2||Honduras||8,447,000||97.1%||2.0%||0.0%||0.0%||0.9%', 406 => '|-bgcolor=#ffffff', 407 => '|3||El Salvador||6,108,000||99.0%||1.0%||0.0%||0.0%||0.0%', 408 => '|-bgcolor=#efefef', 409 => '|4||Nicaragua||6,028,000||87.4%||7.1%||5.5%||0.0%||0.0%', 410 => '|-bgcolor=ffffff', 411 => '|5||Costa Rica||4,726,000||97.2%||1.8%||1.0%||0.0%||0.0%', 412 => '|-bgcolor=#efefef', 413 => '|6||Panamá||3,652,000||86.8%||9.2%||4.0%||0.0||0.0%', 414 => '|-bgcolor=#ffffff', 415 => '|7||Belize||334,000||52.1%||8.9%||37.0%||0.0%||2.0%', 416 => '|-bgcolor=#efefef', 417 => '|}', 418 => '</center>', 419 => false, 420 => '===Ethnic groups===', 421 => 'This region of the continent is very rich in terms of ethnic groups. The majority of the population is mestizo,{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} with sizable Mayan and White populations present, including Xinca and Garifuna minorities. The immigration of Arabs, Jews, Chinese, Europeans and others brought additional groups to the area.', 422 => '<center>', 423 => '{|class="wikitable sortable"', 424 => '|- align="center" bgcolor="#E8E8E8"', 425 => '|colspan="10"|'''Ethnic groups in Central America (2010)'''', 426 => '|- align="center" bgcolor="#E8E8E8"', 427 => '|width="200"|'''Country'''', 428 => '|width="100"|'''Population'''¹', 429 => '|width="100"|'''%&nbsp;[[Amerindian]]'''', 430 => '|width="100"|'''%&nbsp;[[White people|White]]'''', 431 => '|width="100"|'''%&nbsp;[[Mestizo]]/Mixed'''', 432 => '|width="100"|'''%&nbsp;[[Black people|Black]]'''', 433 => '|width="100"|'''%&nbsp;Other'''', 434 => '|-', 435 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Belize}}'''', 436 => '|324,528||6.3%||5.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|49.6%||32.0%||4.1%', 437 => '|-', 438 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Costa Rica}}'''', 439 => '|4,301,712||4.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|65.8%||13.8%||7.2%||9.0%', 440 => '|-', 441 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|El Salvador}}'''', 442 => '|6,340,889||1.0%||12.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|86.0%||0.0%||1.0%', 443 => '|-', 444 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Guatemala}}'''', 445 => '|15,700,000||38.5%||18.5%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|40.0%||1.0%||2.0%', 446 => '|-', 447 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Honduras}}'''', 448 => '|8,143,564||6.0%||5.5%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|82.0%||6.0%||0.5%', 449 => '|-', 450 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Nicaragua}}'''', 451 => '|5,815,500||5.0%||17.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|69.0%||9.0%||0.0%', 452 => '|-', 453 => '|align="left"|'''{{flag2|Panama}}'''', 454 => '|3,474,562||6.0%||10.0%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|65.0%||14.0%||5.0%', 455 => '|-', 456 => '|align="left"|'''Total'''', 457 => '|42,682,190||16.24%||20.18%||style="background: #ABCDEF;"|58.05%||4.43%||11.17%', 458 => '|-', 459 => '|}', 460 => '</center>', 461 => false, 462 => '===Religious groups===', 463 => '{{further|Anglican Church in Central America|Bahá'í Faith in Central America|Buddhism in Central America|Roman Catholicism in North America}}', 464 => 'The predominant religion in Central America is [[Christianity]] (95.6%).<ref>[http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf Christianity in its Global Context]</ref> Beginning with the Spanish colonization of Central America in the 16th century, [[Catholic Church|Roman 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/>', 465 => false, 466 => '{|class="wikitable sortable" align="center"', 467 => '|-', 468 => '! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|Countries<br/>', 469 => '! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|% [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]]<br/>(2010)', 470 => '! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|% [[Protestantism]]<br/>(2010)', 471 => '! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|% [[Irreligion|Non-affiliated]]<br/>(2010)', 472 => '! style="background: #ABCDEF;"|% Other<br/>(2010)', 473 => '|-', 474 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{BLZ}}', 475 => '|align="right"|40%', 476 => '|align="right"|31%', 477 => '|align="right"|15%', 478 => '|align="right"|14%', 479 => '|-', 480 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{CRI}}', 481 => '|align="right"|69%', 482 => '|align="right"|17%', 483 => '|align="right"|11%', 484 => '|align="right"|3%', 485 => '|-', 486 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{SLV}}', 487 => '|align="right"|46%', 488 => '|align="right"|29%', 489 => '|align="right"|24%', 490 => '|align="right"|1%', 491 => '|-', 492 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{GTM}}', 493 => '|align="right"|47%', 494 => '|align="right"|32%', 495 => '|align="right"|19%', 496 => '|align="right"|2%', 497 => '|-', 498 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{HND}}', 499 => '|align="right"|52%', 500 => '|align="right"|35%', 501 => '|align="right"|10%', 502 => '|align="right"|3%', 503 => '|-', 504 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{NIC}}', 505 => '|align="right"|58%', 506 => '|align="right"|23%', 507 => '|align="right"|13%', 508 => '|align="right"|4%', 509 => '|-', 510 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{PAN}}', 511 => '|align="right"|77%', 512 => '|align="right"|13%', 513 => '|align="right"|7%', 514 => '|align="right"|3%', 515 => '|}', 516 => false, 517 => '==Culture==', 518 => '* [[Central American music]]', 519 => '* [[Latin American cuisine#North America|Central American cuisine]]', 520 => '* [[List of cuisines of the Americas#Central American cuisine|List of cuisines of the Americas – Central American cuisine]]', 521 => false, 522 => '===Sport===', 523 => '[[File:Surfing in El Salvador by L. E. MacDonald.png|thumb|[[Surfing|Surfers]] in [[La Libertad, La Libertad|La Libertad]], El Salvador]]', 524 => '* [[Central American Games]]', 525 => '* [[Central American and Caribbean Games]]', 526 => '** [[1926 Central American and Caribbean Games]] – the first time this event occurred', 527 => '* [[Central American Football Union]]', 528 => '* [[Surfing#In Central America|Surfing]]', 529 => false, 530 => '==Politics==', 531 => false, 532 => '===Central American Integration===', 533 => '<div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 2em; width: 20em; text-align: right; font-size: 0.86em; font-family: lucida grande, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><!-- start of floated right section -->', 534 => '<div style="border:1px solid #aaa; background:#f9ff9; text-align:left; padding:0.5em 1em; text-align:center;"><!-- start of slate grey box', 535 => '-->', 536 => ''''Sistema de Integración Centroamericana'''<br/>', 537 => '[[Central American Integration System]]', 538 => '<div class="center"> [[File:SICA ZP.svg|100px]]', 539 => 'Motto: "Peace, Development, Liberty and Democracy"<br/>', 540 => 'Anthem: ''La Granadera''<br/>', 541 => '<br/>', 542 => '</div>', 543 => '{|style="background:none; text-align:left; table-layout:auto; border-collapse:collapse; padding:0; font-size:100%;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"', 544 => '! style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|Area', 545 => '|style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top"|560,988&nbsp;km²', 546 => '|-', 547 => '! style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|Population', 548 => '|style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top"|50,807,778 hab.', 549 => '|-', 550 => '! style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"|Countries', 551 => '|style="border-top: solid 1px #ccd2d9; padding: 0.4em 1em 0.4em 0; vertical-align: top"|{{BLZ}}<br/> {{CRI}}<br/>{{SLV}}<br/> {{GUA}}<br/> {{HND}}<br/> {{NIC}}<br/> {{PAN}}<br/>{{DOM}}', 552 => '|}', 553 => '</div><!-- fin de la tabla flotante gris -->', 554 => '</div><!-- la sección inicia a partir de aquí -->', 555 => false, 556 => '{{main|Central American Integration System}}', 557 => '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]].', 558 => false, 559 => '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.', 560 => false, 561 => '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.', 562 => false, 563 => 'On 6 December 2008 SICA announced an agreement to pursue a common currency and common passport for the member nations.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} No timeline for implementation was discussed.', 564 => false, 565 => '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]].', 566 => false, 567 => '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/>', 568 => false, 569 => '===Foreign relations===', 570 => '{{see also|China–Latin America relations}}', 571 => 'Until recently, all Central American countries have 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/>', 572 => false, 573 => '===Central American Parliament===', 574 => '[[File:Parlamento Centroamericano bandera.jpg|thumb|left|Flag of the [[Central American Parliament]]]]', 575 => '{{Main|Central American Parliament}}', 576 => 'The Central American Parliament (also known as PARLACEN) is a political and parliamentary body of SICA. The parliament's beginnings started at around 1980, and its primary goal was to solve wars 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.', 577 => '{{Clear left}}', 578 => false, 579 => '==Economy==', 580 => '{{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}}', 581 => '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.', 582 => false, 583 => '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 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/>', 584 => false, 585 => '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/>', 586 => false, 587 => '<center>', 588 => '{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: right"', 589 => '|- style="background:#ececec;"', 590 => '|+'''Economy size for Latin American countries per Gross domestic product'''', 591 => '!Country', 592 => '!GDP (nominal)<ref name=IMFWEO2012/>{{efn|name=in-millions-usd|Values listed in millions USD.}}', 593 => '! GDP (nominal) 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>', 594 => '!GDP (PPP)<ref name=IMFGDP2012/>{{efn|name=in-millions-usd}}', 595 => '|-', 596 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Belize}}', 597 => '|1,552', 598 => '|$4,602', 599 => '|2,914', 600 => '|-', 601 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Costa Rica}}', 602 => '|44,313', 603 => '| style="text-align: right" | $10,432', 604 => '|57,955', 605 => '|-', 606 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|El Salvador}}', 607 => '|24,421', 608 => '| style="text-align: right" | $3,875', 609 => '|46,050', 610 => '|-', 611 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Guatemala}}', 612 => '|50,303', 613 => '| style="text-align: right" | $3,512', 614 => '|78,012', 615 => '|-', 616 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Honduras}}', 617 => '|18,320', 618 => '| style="text-align: right" | $2,323', 619 => '|37,408', 620 => '|-', 621 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Nicaragua}}', 622 => '|7,695', 623 => '| style="text-align: right" | $1,839', 624 => '|19,827', 625 => '|-', 626 => '|style="text-align:left;"|{{flag|Panama}}', 627 => '|34,517', 628 => '| style="text-align: right" | $10,838', 629 => '|55,124', 630 => '|-', 631 => '|}', 632 => '</center>', 633 => false, 634 => '===Tourism===', 635 => '{{see also|Tourism in Belize|Tourism in Costa Rica|Ecotourism in Costa Rica|Tourism in Nicaragua}}', 636 => '[[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]]]]', 637 => false, 638 => '[[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/>', 639 => false, 640 => '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 million in 1999, to a historical record of 2.43 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/>', 641 => false, 642 => '[[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/>', 643 => false, 644 => '==Transport==', 645 => '{{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}}', 646 => false, 647 => '===Roads===', 648 => '{{see also|Roads in Belize}}', 649 => '[[Image:Inter-American Highway map October 1933.jpg|thumb|1933 map of the proposed route of the [[Inter-American Highway]]]]', 650 => '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|Nuevo Laredo, Mexico]], and [[Panama City|Panama City, Panama]]. Because of the {{convert|87|km|mi|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.', 651 => false, 652 => '===Waterways===', 653 => '{{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|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|Ecocanal|Nicaragua Canal|Panama Canal}}', 654 => false, 655 => '===Ports and harbors===', 656 => '{{see also|Ports of Belize|Category:Ports and harbours of Guatemala|Category:Ports and harbours of Panama||||}}', 657 => false, 658 => '===Airports===', 659 => '{{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}}', 660 => false, 661 => '===Railways===', 662 => '{{Main|Rail transport in Central America}}', 663 => '{{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}}', 664 => '[[File:Train LaCeiba1.JPG|thumb|City rail in [[La Ceiba]], Honduras is one of the few remaining passenger train services in Central America]]', 665 => false, 666 => '==Education==', 667 => '{{div col|colwidth=30em}}', 668 => '* [[List of architecture schools#Central America|List of Architecture schools in Central America]]', 669 => '* [[List of universities in Belize]]', 670 => '* [[List of universities in Costa Rica]]', 671 => '* [[List of universities in El Salvador]]', 672 => '* [[List of universities in Guatemala]]', 673 => '* [[List of universities in Honduras]]', 674 => '* [[List of universities in Nicaragua]]', 675 => '* [[List of universities in Panama]]', 676 => '{{div col end}}', 677 => false, 678 => '==Gallery==', 679 => '<gallery class="center">', 680 => 'File:Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean 1700.png|Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean from AD 1700 to present', 681 => 'File:1803 Cary Map of Florida, Central America, the Bahamas, and the West Indies - Geographicus - WestIndies-cary-1803.jpg|The Central America Isthmus, 1803', 682 => 'File:Centralamerican-subcontinen.png|Central America geography', 683 => 'File:SPBEACH97.jpg|San Pedro Beach in [[Ambergris Caye]], Belize', 684 => 'File:San Juan Beach.jpg|Tropical beach [[San Juan del Sur]] on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua', 685 => 'File:Central America volcanic belt.jpg|Map of the [[Central America Volcanic Arc]], with captions showing the location of several volcanoes', 686 => 'File:Arenallong.jpg|The [[Arenal Volcano]] in Costa Rica, 2006', 687 => '</gallery>', 688 => false, 689 => '==See also==', 690 => '{{portal|North America|Latin America|Geography}}', 691 => '{{div col|colwidth=30em}}', 692 => '* [[Americas (terminology)]]', 693 => '* [[Central American Seaway]]', 694 => '* [[List of largest cities in Central America]]', 695 => '** [[List of municipalities in Belize|List of cities in Belize]]', 696 => '** [[List of cities in Costa Rica]]', 697 => '** [[List of cities in El Salvador]]', 698 => '** [[List of places in Guatemala]]', 699 => '** [[List of cities in Honduras]]', 700 => '** [[Municipalities of Nicaragua|List of cities in Nicaragua]]', 701 => '** [[List of cities in Panama]]', 702 => '* [[Index of Central America-related articles]]', 703 => '** [[Index of Belize-related articles]]', 704 => '** [[Index of Costa Rica-related articles]]', 705 => '** [[Index of El Salvador-related articles]]', 706 => '** [[Index of Guatemala-related articles]]', 707 => '** [[Index of Honduras-related articles]]', 708 => '** [[Index of Nicaragua-related articles]]', 709 => '** [[Index of Panama-related articles]]', 710 => '{{div col end}}', 711 => false, 712 => '==Notes==', 713 => '{{notelist}}', 714 => false, 715 => '==References==', 716 => '{{Reflist|4|refs=<ref name=Argueta2011>{{cite journal|last=Argueta|first=O|last2=Huhn|first2=S|last3=Kurtenbach|first3=S|last4=Peetz|first4=P|title=Blocked democracies in Central America|journal=GIGA Focus International Edition|volume=|issue=5|pages=1–8|year=2011|publisher=GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies|location=Hamburg, Germany|issn=1862-3581|url=http://www.giga-hamburg.de/dl/download.php?d=/content/publikationen/pdf/gf_international_1105.pdf}}</ref>', 717 => false, 718 => '<ref name=Astiz1987>{{cite journal|last=Astiz|first=L|last2=Kanamori|first2=H|last3=Eissler|first3=H|title=Source characteristics of earthquakes in the Michoacan seismic gap in Mexico|journal=Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America|volume=77|issue=4|pages=1326–46|year=1987|doi=|jstor=|pmc=|pmid=|url=http://authors.library.caltech.edu/49188/1/1326.full.pdf}}</ref>', 719 => false, 720 => '<ref name=Augelli1962>{{cite journal|last=Augelli|first=JP|title=The Rimland-Mainland concept of culture areas in Middle America|journal=Annals of the Association of American Geographers|volume=52|issue=2|pages=119–29|year=1962|doi=10.1111/j.1467-8306.1962.tb00400.x|jstor=2561309|pmc=|pmid=}}</ref><ref name=BESS2013>{{cite web|author=British Embassy San Salvador|title=Extra-Regional Observer of Central American Integration System|work=Strengthening UK relationships with El Salvador|publisher=Government Digital Service|location=London|date=10 June 2013|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/extra-regional-observer-of-central-american-integration-system|accessdate=2015-01-04}}</ref><ref name=Burchfield2004>{{cite book|last=Burchfield|first=RW|authorlink=Robert Burchfield|title=Fowler's modern English usage|edition=3rd|page=48|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2004|isbn=978-0198610212|url=}}</ref><ref name=Carroll2007>{{cite news|last=Carroll|first=R|title=Ortega banks on tourism to beat poverty|newspaper=''[[The Guardian]]''|publisher=[[theguardian.com]]|location=London|date=6 January 2007|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jan/07/rorycarroll.theobserver|accessdate=2015-01-03}}</ref><ref name=cia>{{cite web|author=Central Intelligence Agency|authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency|title=The world factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2014|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/}}</ref>', 721 => false, 722 => '<ref name=ciaexport>{{cite web|author=Central Intelligence Agency|authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency|title=World exports by country|work=The world factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2014|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2078.html#74}}</ref>', 723 => false, 724 => '<ref name=ciaexportgu>{{cite web|author=Central Intelligence Agency|authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency|title=Export partners of Guatemala|work=The world factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2014|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2050.html#gt}}</ref>', 725 => false, 726 => '<ref name=Cuellar2013>{{cite news|last=Cuellar|first=M|title=Foreign direct investments and tourism up|newspaper=Channel 5 Belize|publisher=Great Belize Productions Ltd.|location=Belize|date=1 March 2013|url=http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/82643|accessdate=2015-01-04}}</ref><ref name=handbook2013>{{cite book|title=Central America economic integration and cooperation handbook|edition=2013|volume=Volume 1: Strategic information, organizations and programs|chapter=Central America: strategic information|pages=8|publisher=International Business Publications, USA|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2013|isbn=1-4387-4280-0|url=https://books.google.com/?id=9AWWBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=Central+America+has+an+area+of+523,780+square+kilometers#v=onepage&q=523%2C780%20&f=false}}</ref>', 727 => false, 728 => '<ref name=Harvey2008>{{cite journal|last=Harvey|first=CA|last2=Komar|first2=O|last3=Chazdon|first3=R|last4=Ferguson|first4=BG|title=Integrating agricultural landscapes with biodiversity conservation in the Mesoamerican hotspot|journal=Conservation Biology|volume=22|issue=1|pages=8–15|year=2008|doi=10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00863.x|jstor=|pmc=|pmid=18254848|url=http://www.researchgate.net/publication/5597044_Integrating_agricultural_landscapes_with_biodiversity_conservation_in_the_Mesoamerican_hotspot/file/9fcfd50b52a426ed72.pdf}}</ref>', 729 => false, 730 => '<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|accessdate=2015-01-04}}</ref><ref name=Hubbard2015>{{cite web|last=Hubbard|first=K|title=The biggest cities in Central America|work=Central America statistics, facts & figures for every country|publisher=About.com|location=New York City|year=2015|url=http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/tripplanning/a/Central-America-Cities.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=IMF2014>{{cite web|author=International Monetary Fund|authorlink=International Monetary Fund|title=World economic outlook October 2014: legacies, clouds, uncertainties|work=World economic and financial surveys|publisher=International Monetary Fund|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2014|isbn=978-1-48438-0-666|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2014/02/pdf/text.pdf|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=IMFGDP2012>{{cite web|author=International Monetary Fund|authorlink=International Monetary Fund|title=Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) valuation of country GDP|work=World economic outlook database, April 2012|publisher=International Monetary Fund|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2012|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=50&pr.y=15&sy=2012&ey=2012&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=311%2C336%2C213%2C263%2C313%2C268%2C316%2C343%2C339%2C273%2C218%2C278%2C223%2C283%2C228%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C238%2C361%2C321%2C362%2C243%2C364%2C248%2C366%2C253%2C369%2C328%2C298%2C258%2C299&s=PPPGDP&grp=0&a=|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=IMFWEO2012>{{cite web|author=International Monetary Fund|authorlink=International Monetary Fund|title=Report for selected countries and subjects|work=World economic outlook database, April 2012|publisher=International Monetary Fund|location=Washington, D.C.|year=2012|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=83&pr.y=7&sy=2012&ey=2012&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=311%2C336%2C213%2C263%2C313%2C268%2C316%2C343%2C339%2C273%2C218%2C278%2C223%2C283%2C228%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C238%2C361%2C321%2C362%2C243%2C364%2C248%2C366%2C253%2C369%2C328%2C298%2C258%2C299&s=NGDPD&grp=0&a=|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=IndexMundi2012>{{cite web|author=Index Mundi|title=Population – Central America & the Caribbean|publisher=Index Mundi|year=2012|url=http://www.indexmundi.com/map/?r=ca|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=Inman1997>{{cite web|last=Inman|first=C|title=Impacts on developing countries of changing production and consumption patterns in developed countries: the case of ecotourism in Costa Rica|publisher=[[INCAE Business School]]|location=Alajuela, Costa Rica|year=1997|url=http://fama2.us.es:8080/turismo/turismonet1/economia%20del%20turismo/turismo%20y%20medio%20ambiente/ECOTOURISM%20IN%20COSTA%20RICA.PDF|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MongabayB>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Belize 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/Belize.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MongabayCR>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Costa Rica 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/Costa_Rica.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><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|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MongabayG>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Guatemala 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/Guatemala.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MongabayH>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Honduras 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/Honduras.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MongabayN>{{cite web|last=Butler|first=RA|title=Nicaragua 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/Nicaragua.htm|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><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|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=MW>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=''[[Webster's Dictionary#Merriam-Webster.27s Collegiate Dictionary|Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary]]''|title=Central America|publisher=Merriam-Webster.com|url=http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Central%20America|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=Oliver2005>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of world climatology|last=Taylor|first=MA|last2=Alfaro|first2=EJ|editor-last=Oliver|editor-first=JE|edition=1st|series=Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series|chapter=Central America and the Caribbean, Climate of|pages=183–9|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|location=New York|year=2005|isbn=978-1-4020-3264-6|url=http://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/1-4020-3266-8_37|doi=10.1007/1-4020-3266-8_37}}</ref><ref name=Ramos2010>{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=A|title=Belize protected areas 26% – not 40-odd percent|newspaper=''[[Amandala]]''|location=Belize City|date=2 July 2010|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514200537/http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=10030|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=Redo2012>{{cite journal|last=Redo|first=DJ|last2=Grau|first2=HR|last3=Aide|first3=TM|last4=Clark|first4=ML|title=Asymmetric forest transition driven by the interaction of socioeconomic development and environmental heterogeneity in Central America|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|volume=109|issue=23|pages=8839–44|year=2012|doi=10.1073/pnas.1201664109|jstor=|pmc=3384153|pmid=22615408|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384153/|bibcode=2012PNAS..109.8839R}}</ref><ref name=Rodr2014>{{cite news|last=Rodríguez|first=A|title=Costa Rica registró la llegada de más de 2,4 millones de turistas en 2013|trans_title=Costa Rica registered the arrival of more than 2.4 million tourists in 2013|newspaper=''[[La Nación (San José)|La Nación]]''|location=San José, Costa Rica|date=16 January 2014|language=Spanish|url=http://www.nacion.com/economia/Costa-Rica-registra-millones-turistas_0_1390861044.html|accessdate=2015-01-02}}</ref><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=Spanish|url=http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2004/diciembre/29/economia0.html|accessdate=2015-01-02}}</ref><ref name=sify>http://www.sify.com/news/nicaragua-exceeds-one-mn-foreign-tourists-for-first-time-news-international-km4ladiidea.html Nicaragua exceeds one mn foreign tourists for first time</ref>', 731 => false, 732 => '<ref name=SPS2013>{{cite news|title=2012: a remarkable year for Belize's tourism industry|newspaper=''[[The San Pedro Sun]]''|location=San Pedro, Belize|date=8 February 2013|url=http://www.sanpedrosun.com/travel-and-tourism/2013/02/08/2012-a-remarkable-year-for-belizes-tourism-industry/|accessdate=2015-01-04}}</ref><ref name=TCNYT>{{cite web|title=Taiwan cuts ties with Costa Rica over recognition for China|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/07/world/asia/07iht-costa.1.6036203.html|website=''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=ticotimes>{{cite news|title=Extreme poverty increases in Nicaragua in 2013, study finds|agency=''[[American Free Press]]''|date=13 November 2014|url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/11/13/extreme-poverty-increases-in-nicaragua-in-2013-study-finds|accessdate=2015-01-02}}</ref><ref name=UN2013>{{cite web|author=United Nations Statistics Division|authorlink=United Nations Statistics Division|title=Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings|publisher=United Nations Statistics Division|location=New York City|year=2013|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas|accessdate=2015-01-01}}</ref><ref name=visitcostarica>{{cite web|author=Departamento de Estadísticas ICT|url=http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/backoffice/treeDoc/files/Anuario%20de%20Turismo%202006%20(VERSION%20FINAL).pdf|title=Anuário estadísticas de demanda 2006|publisher=Intituto Costarricense de Turismo|year=2006|language=Spanish|accessdate=2008-06-13}}</ref><ref name=webng>https://web.archive.org/web/20141006185346/http://www.webng.com/jerbarker/home/eia-toolkit/downloads/Van04/RojasVancouver.pdf</ref>', 733 => false, 734 => '<ref name=wef2013>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Competitiveness_Report_2013.pdf|author=Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa, Editors|year=2013|title=Travel & tourism competitiveness report 2013|publisher=[[World Economic Forum]], Geneva, Switzerland|accessdate=2013-04-14}}</ref><ref name=westminster>[http://www.westminster.edu/staff/athrock/BELIZE/Reef.html Belize Barrier Reef case study]. 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|doi=|jstor=|pmc=|pmid=|url=http://bssa.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/75/2/455}}</ref>', 735 => false, 736 => '<ref name=WWF0112>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0112|name=Central American montane forests|accessdate=2013-08-20}}</ref><ref name=WWF0167>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0167|name=Talamancan montane forests|accessdate=2014-10-19}}</ref><ref name=WWF0303>{{WWF ecoregion|id=nt0303|name=Central American pine-oak forests|accessdate=2012-11-04}}</ref>', 737 => '}}', 738 => false, 739 => '==Further reading==', 740 => '* [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ce/CentrAm.html Central America]. ''[http://www.bartleby.com/65/The Columbia Encyclopedia]'', 6th ed. 2001–6. New York: Columbia University Press.', 741 => '* [http://www.bartleby.com/61/8/C0200800.html American Heritage Dictionaries, Central America].', 742 => '* [http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=central+america WordNet Princeton University: Central America].', 743 => '* Central America. ''[http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online]''. 2006. New York: Columbia University Press.', 744 => '* [[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.', 745 => false, 746 => '==External links==', 747 => '{{Sisterlinks|d=Q27611}}', 748 => '* [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 [http://repository.library.georgetown.edu/handle/10822/552494 Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives]', 749 => '* [http://lanic.utexas.edu/country/central/LANIC Central America country pages]', 750 => false, 751 => '{{Geographic Location', 752 => '|Centre = {{Flagicon|Belize}}{{Flagicon|Costa Rica}}{{Flagicon|El Salvador}}{{Flagicon|Guatemala}}{{Flagicon|Honduras}}{{Flagicon|Nicaragua}}{{Flagicon|Panama}}<br>Central America', 753 => '|Northwest = {{Flag|Mexico}}', 754 => '|North = [[Gulf of Mexico]]<br>{{Flag|Cuba}}', 755 => '|Northeast = {{Flagicon|Haiti}}{{Flagicon|Dominican Republic}}[[Hispaniola]]<br>{{Flag|Jamaica}}', 756 => '|East = [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] • [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]', 757 => '|Southeast = {{Flag|Colombia}} • {{Flag|Venezuela}}', 758 => '|South = {{Flag|Ecuador}}', 759 => '|Southwest = [[Pacific Ocean]]<br>[[Galápagos Islands]]', 760 => '|West = ', 761 => '}}', 762 => false, 763 => '{{Central America topic}}', 764 => '{{Central American music}}', 765 => '{{Central American volcanoes}}', 766 => '{{Central American and Caribbean Games}}', 767 => '{{Latin America topic|Cuisine of|Latin American cuisine}}', 768 => '{{Latin America topic|Culture of|Latin American culture}}', 769 => '{{Regions of the world}}', 770 => false, 771 => '{{Authority control}}', 772 => false, 773 => '[[Category:Central America|Central America]]' ]