Top 15 Fascinating Facts About Central America

Top 15 Fascinating Facts About Central America

Central America is a region that is made up of 7 countries including Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. These countries have a lot to offer and Central America is known as a tourist destination site.

In this article, we have compiled the top 15 fascinating facts about Central America, join me as we showcase different amazing things found in different countries of this region such as freshwater bull sharks, and rainforests that act as homes of different species of animals among other factors.

Here are the top 15 fascinating facts about Central America;

1. Central America is a Popular Tourist Destination

The Central American region is famously known as a tourist attraction site. The Central American countries are known for their colorful cultures, stunning beaches, and wild jungles among others.

There is more to explore in this region and some of the best destinations to tour include Antique, Guatemala, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Caye Caulker, Belize, Monteverde, Costa Rica, and Arenal, Costa Rica among others.

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2. Belize has Some 900 Mayan Sites

It is believed by archaeologists that Belize was the center of the lowland Mayan Empire. During the time of Christ, about 200 years ago, is said millions of people could have been living here.

Belize is home to about 900 Mayan sites. Some of these sites still remain unexplored and buried to date. The sites include small mounds as well as ceremonial caves and some are yet to be discovered.

Some of the discovered sites include Baking Pot, Cahal Pech, Caracol, Barton Creek Cave, Chaa Creek, and Cuello among others.

3. Nicaragua has had the Only First Elected Female President

Central American country, Nicaragua, has always been ruled by men presidents, however, in 1990 Violeta Barrios Torres de Chamorro became the first woman president of the country. She served as the president till 1997.

she remains to hold the title of being the first woman president of Nicaragua since no other woman has been lucky to rule the country to date.

4. Lake Nicaragua is the Home to Sweet Water Sharks

Albert Kok, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and home to Nicaragua sharks which are commonly known as Bull sharks. Bull Sharks can survive in both salt and fresh water unlike some sharks, that’s why they are found in Lake Nicaragua.

The Bull sharks swim through the San Juan River from Ocean to Lake Nicaragua. The sharks are edible and the biggest predator is human beings. Scientists have reported that the population of bull sharks in the San Juan River has dropped recently due to shark finning.

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5. El Salvador and Costa Rica’s Currency is Named Colon After Christopher Columbus

Fondo Antiguo de la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Sevilla from Sevilla, España, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Costa Rica and El Salvador currency was named after Christophe Columbus also known as Cristobal Colon in Spanish. The currency of the 2 countries is simply known as Colon.

El Salvador Colon (SVC) was the currency of El Salvador from 1892 to 2001 and was replaced by the US dollar in 2001 and is rarely used while Costa Rica Col—n (CRC) is the Costa Rica currency introduced in 1896 and is merely used.

6. Costa Rica, One of the Central American Countries has no Standing Military Since it was Banned in 1949

Costa Rica became the first ever country in 1949 to abolish the army in the world. This must be one of the most interesting facts since have never seen any other country without an army.

Costa Rica has proved to the world it is possible for a country to stay without military forces and safe resources for other better social development such as health and education rather than investing in weapons.

7. Central American Volcanic Arc Passes through All of the Central American Countries

CrazyKnight, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The series of volcanoes known as the Central American Volcanic Arc span about 1100 km passing through the region’s countries. It starts in Guatemala all the way to northern Panama. The volcanoes were formed because of the subduction of the Cocos plate under the Caribbean Plate.

There are many active volcanoes in Central America such as San Miguel, Cerro Negro, Santa Ana Volcano, Pacaya volcanoes, and Arenal Volcanoes among others.

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8. The Late Queen of England was the Queen of Belize

Joel Rouse/ Ministry of Defence, OGL 3, via Wikimedia Commons

The late Queen Elizabeth of England was as well the Queen of Belize. Queen played an important role in helping Belize to gain independence and safeguarding people’s rights

Queen Elizabeth became head of state in Belize in 1952 after her coronation. Belize was a British colony fighting toward independence and Queen Elizabeth help them through. The country gained independence after 29 years of her reign.

9. Belize a Country in Central America has the Only Jaguar Reserve in the World

Wolves201, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is fascinating to know the famous and only Jaguar Reserve in the world is located in Belize a country in the Central American region. It is located in Southern Belize and seats an area of 150 square miles.

Initially, it was declared a Forest Preserve in 1984 and later it became a Jaguar Preserve in 1986. Jaguar is part of the cat family and is said to be the 3^rd largest in the family.

10. Rainforests of Central America are Home to a Wide Variety of Plant and Animal Life

Shahzaib Damn Cruze, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Central American countries have many Rainforests that act as homes to many species of animals such as howler monkeys, jaguars, and pumas.

Some of the Central American rainforests include the Nicaraguan rainforest, Costa Rican rainforest, Belizean rainforest, Guatemalan rainforest, Honduras Rainforest, Panama Rainforest, and El Salvadoran Rainforest among others.

11. The Official Language of Other Central American Countries is Spanish Apart from Belize where Official Language is English

Luveha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The official language of Central American countries is Spanish since the region was colonization by the Spanish back in the 15^th century.

However, in Belize, most people speak English, because they were colonized by the British hence English is the official language. It is good to note apart from Spanish and English, even Indian languages are spoken in Central Africa.

12. The National Dish of Central America is Gallo Pinto

Aleat88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallo Pinto is a traditional dish from Central America. It comprises rice, beans, cilantro, and spices. It has a lot of history in it and is very important in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan. These two countries in Central America claim the dish to be their own national dish.

Gallo Pinto can be served with other foods such as sweet plantains, eggs, tortillas, and queso fresco among others.

13. Panama a Central American Country is the Only Country in World you Can See Sunrise in the Pacific and Sunset in the Atlantic Ocean

—=XEON=—, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is interesting to know that Panama a Central American country is the only country you can see the sunrise in the Pacific Ocean and sunset in the Atlantic Ocean.

This is because of the isthmus of Panama (a narrow strip of land with the sea on both sides connecting two areas of land) linking Central America to the northern part of South America. Due to the smooth rounded bend, the Pacific Ocean is East of the Atlantic Ocean.

14. El Salvador is One of the World’s Most Popular Places for Surfers

L. E. MacDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the Central American countries, El Salvador is known as one of the world’s famous destinations for surfers. El Salvador’s Pacific coast has two different areas for surfing namely La Libertad and Wild East.

The La Libertad is the most-known surf area in El Salvador and offers quality breaks (Surf beak is a lineup where waves start to break) and is most visited while Wild East offers world-class breaks as well and is lately growing.

15. Coffee is one of the Central America Agricultural Products

Coffee is one of the agricultural products in Central America that plays a significant role in promoting the country’s economy. It is the major exporting crop in Central America.

Coffee has created job opportunities for more than 1.2 million people in the coffee industry across the region. This is one of the most fascinating facts of the country.