Exploring Central America: Countries and Capitals
Central America is an exciting region made up of seven countries, each with its own special culture, geography, and history. Let’s take a fun journey through these countries, learn about their capitals, and discover some cool facts about each one!
The Seven Countries of Central America
Central America is made up of these seven countries:
Belize
- Location: It’s the northernmost country, next to Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
- Capital: Belmopan
- Notable Features: Famous for its beautiful beaches and the Belize Barrier Reef.
Costa Rica
- Location: Between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
- Capital: San José
- Notable Features: Known for its amazing wildlife and eco-friendly tourism.
El Salvador
- Location: In the southern part of Central America, bordered by Honduras and Guatemala, with the Pacific Ocean to the south.
- Capital: San Salvador
- Notable Features: Famous for its surfing spots and volcanic scenery.
Guatemala
- Location: South of Mexico, bordered by Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador.
- Capital: Guatemala City
- Notable Features: Known for ancient Mayan ruins and rich cultural traditions.
Honduras
- Location: Bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, with the Caribbean Sea to the north.
- Capital: Tegucigalpa
- Notable Features: Famous for its natural beauty and historical sites.
Nicaragua
- Location: Between Honduras and Costa Rica, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
- Capital: Managua
- Notable Features: Known for its lakes, volcanoes, and charming old cities.
Panama
- Location: Borders Colombia to the south and Costa Rica to the west, with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.
- Capital: Panama City
- Notable Features: Famous for the Panama Canal, which is a major route for ships worldwide.
The Districts and Departments
Belize
Belize is divided into six districts, each with its own capital:
- Belmopan (Belize District)
- San Ignacio (Cayo District)
- Corozal Town (Corozal District)
- Orange Walk Town (Orange Walk District)
- Dangriga (Stann Creek District)
- Punta Gorda (Toledo District)
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has seven provinces:
- Alajuela (Capital: Alajuela)
- Cartago (Capital: Cartago)
- Guanacaste (Capital: Liberia)
- Heredia (Capital: Heredia)
- Limón (Capital: Puerto Limón)
- Puntarenas (Capital: Puntarenas)
- San José (Capital: San José)
El Salvador
El Salvador consists of 14 departments:
- Ahuachapán (Capital: Ahuachapán)
- Cabañas (Capital: Sensuntepeque)
- Chalatenango (Capital: Chalatenango)
- Cuscatlán (Capital: Cojutepeque)
- La Libertad (Capital: La Libertad)
- La Paz (Capital: La Paz)
- La Unión (Capital: La Unión)
- Morazán (Capital: San Francisco Gotera)
- San Miguel (Capital: San Miguel)
- San Salvador (Capital: San Salvador)
- San Vicente (Capital: San Vicente)
- Santa Ana (Capital: Santa Ana)
- Sonsonate (Capital: Sonsonate)
- Usulután (Capital: Usulután)
Guatemala
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments:
- Alta Verapaz (Capital: Cobán)
- Baja Verapaz (Capital: Salamá)
- Chimaltenango (Capital: Chimaltenango)
- Chiquimula (Capital: Chiquimula)
- El Progreso (Capital: Guastatoya)
- Escuintla (Capital: Escuintla)
- Guatemala (Capital: Guatemala City)
- Huehuetenango (Capital: Huehuetenango)
- Izabal (Capital: Puerto Barrios)
- Jalapa (Capital: Jalapa)
- Jutiapa (Capital: Jutiapa)
- Petén (Capital: Flores)
- Quetzaltenango (Capital: Quetzaltenango)
- Quiché (Capital: Santa Cruz del Quiché)
- Retalhuleu (Capital: Retalhuleu)
- Sacatepéquez (Capital: Antigua Guatemala)
- San Marcos (Capital: San Marcos)
- Santa Rosa (Capital: Cuilapa)
- Sololá (Capital: Sololá)
- Suchitepéquez (Capital: Mazatenango)
- Totonicapán (Capital: Totonicapán)
- Zacapa (Capital: Zacapa)
Honduras
Honduras has 18 departments:
- Atlántida (Capital: La Ceiba)
- Choluteca (Capital: Choluteca)
- Colón (Capital: Trujillo)
- Comayagua (Capital: Comayagua)
- Copán (Capital: Santa Rosa de Copán)
- Cortés (Capital: San Pedro Sula)
- El Paraíso (Capital: Yuscarán)
- Francisco Morazán (Capital: Tegucigalpa)
- Gracias a Dios (Capital: Puerto Lempira)
- Intibucá (Capital: La Esperanza)
- Islas de la Bahía (Capital: Roatán)
- La Paz (Capital: La Paz)
- Lempira (Capital: Gracias)
- Ocotepeque (Capital: Ocotepeque)
- Olancho (Capital: Juticalpa)
- Santa Bárbara (Capital: Santa Bárbara)
- Valle (Capital: Nacaome)
- Yoro (Capital: El Progreso)
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments:
- Boaco (Capital: Boaco)
- Carazo (Capital: Jinotepe)
- Chinandega (Capital: Chinandega)
- Chontales (Capital: Juigalpa)
- Estelí (Capital: Estelí)
- Granada (Capital: Granada)
- Jinotega (Capital: Jinotega)
- León (Capital: León)
- Madriz (Capital: Somoto)
- Managua (Capital: Managua)
- Masaya (Capital: Masaya)
- Matagalpa (Capital: Matagalpa)
- Nueva Segovia (Capital: Ocotal)
- Rivas (Capital: Rivas)
- Río San Juan (Capital: San Carlos)
Panama
Panama consists of several provinces:
- Bocas del Toro (Capital: Bocas del Toro)
- Chiriquí (Capital: David)
- Coclé (Capital: Penonomé)
- Colón (Capital: Colón)
- Darién (Capital: La Palma)
- Herrera (Capital: Chitré)
- Los Santos (Capital: Las Tablas)
- Panamá (Capital: Panama City)
- Panamá Oeste (Capital: La Chorrera)
- Veraguas (Capital: Santiago de Veraguas)
Conclusion
Central America is a region full of diversity, culture, and history. Each country offers unique experiences, from stunning natural landscapes to vibrant cities. Learning about the geography and capitals of these countries is a great way to start exploring this fascinating part of the world!
