  Flag of Honduras is three equal horizontal bands of blue
(top), white, and blue with five blue, five-pointed stars
arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars
represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central
America -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and
Nicaragua.   Republic of Honduras  Area: 112,090 sq. km. (43,278
sq. mi.); about the size of Louisiana. Terrain: Mountainous.
Climate: Tropical to subtropical, depending on elevation.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Honduran(s). Population (2004
est.): 6.8 million. Growth rate (2004 est.): 2.24%. Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant minority. Language: Spanish.  Type:
Democratic constitutional republic. Independence: September 15,
1821. Constitution: 1982; amended 1999. Suffrage: Universal and
compulsory at age 18. Administrative subdivisions: 18
departments.  Economy (2003) GDP: $17.46 billion. Growth rate:
2.5%. Per capita GDP: $2,600. Trade: Exports--$1.37 billion:
apparel, coffee, shrimp, bananas, palm