4. Centroamerica
Central America is the central
geographic region of the
Americas. Central America
consists of seven countries:
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, and Panama. It is
bordered by Mexico to the north,
the Caribbean Sea to the east,
the North Pacific Ocean to the
west, and Colombia to the south-
east.
Area
523,780 km2
(202,233 sq mi)
Population
41,739,000
(2009 est.)
Density
77 /km2 (200
/sq mi)
Countries 7
Languages
Spanish,
English, Mayan
languages,
Garifuna, Kriol,
European
languages, and
many others
7. Total Size: 108,890 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than
Tennessee
Geographical Coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: mostly mountains with
narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone
plateau
Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Volcan Tajumulco
4,211 m
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands;
cooler in highlands
Major cities: GUATEMALA CITY (capital) 1.075
million (2009), Mixco, Villa Nueva
The Geography of Guatemala
8. Total Size: 21,040 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than
Massachusetts
Geographical Coordinates: 13 50 N, 88
55 W
World Region or Continent: Central
America
General Terrain: mostly mountains
with narrow coastal belt and central
plateau
Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean
0 m
Geographical High Point: Cerro El Pital
2,730 m
Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to
October); dry season (November to
April); tropical on coast; temperate in
uplands
Major cities: SAN SALVADOR (capital)
1.534 million (2009), Santa Ana, San
Miguel
The Geography of El Salvador
9. Total Size: 129,494 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than the state
of New York
Geographical Coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains
rising to central interior mountains; narrow
Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Major cities: MANAGUA (capital) 934,000
(2009), Leon
The Geography of Nicaragua
10. Total Size: 112,090 square km
Size Comparison: slightly larger than Tennessee
Geographical Coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal
plains
Geographical Low Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Major cities: TEGUCIGALPA (capital) 1 million (2009), San
Pedro Sula, Choloma
The Geography of Honduras
11. Total Size: 22,966 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than
Massachusetts
Geographical Coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low
mountains in south
Geographical Low Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy
season (May to November); dry season (February
to May)
Major cities: BELMOPAN (capital) 20,000 (2009)
The Geography of Belize
12. Total Size: 51,100 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than West
Virginia
Geographical Coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: coastal plains separated by
rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic
cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season
(December to April); rainy season (May to
November); cooler in highlands
Major cities: SAN JOSE (capital) 1.416 million
The Geography of Costa Rica
13. Total Size: 78,200 square km
Size Comparison: slightly smaller than South
Carolina
Geographical Coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
World Region or Continent: Central America
General Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged
mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal
areas largely plains and rolling hills
Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475
m
Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy;
prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry
season (January to May)
Major cities: PANAMA CITY (capital) 1.346 million
(2009)
The Geography of Panama
