xpectancy at birth:
total population: 64.68 years
male: 63.16 years
female: 66.27 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.97 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Honduran(s)
adjective: Honduran

Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%,
Amerindian 7%, black 2%, white 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority

Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 72.7%
male: 72.6%
female: 72.7% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras

Data code: HO

Government type: republic

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos,
singular--departamento) plus probable Central District (Tegucigalpa);
Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso,
Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La
Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982

Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some
influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since 27
January 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: President Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (since
27 January 1998); note--the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
election last held 30 November 1997 (next to be held NA November
2001)
election results: Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse elected president;
percent of vote--Carlos Roberto FLORES Facusse (PLH) 53%, Nora de
MELGAR (PNH) 42%, other 5%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea
Nacional (128 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held on 30 November 1997 (next to be held November
2001)
election results: percent of