This document summarizes and compares the cultures of Honduras and El Salvador. Both countries have predominantly Mestizo populations and Spanish as the dominant language. Their cuisines prominently feature corn and beans. While they share some cultural similarities, there are also differences, such as Honduras using the Lempira as currency while El Salvador uses the U.S. dollar. The document advocates for teaching students about Latin American cultures to help them appreciate diversity.

1. Hispanic Cultures Janelle Barzie SPAN/502 August 7, 2011 Dr. Meryl Norych, Ed.D.

2. Introduction Honduras and El Salvador are two Latin American countries located in Central America. Both countries have unique, rich cultures. There are many similarities and differences in Honduran and Salvadorian culture.

3. Why should students learn about El Salvador and Honduras? Teaching students about Latin American cultures helps them appreciate the differences in people and their traditions. The U.S. school-age population is becoming increasingly diverse. By 2020, nearly half of all U.S. children will be of color; about one in four will be Hispanic. This increasing diversity means that there needs to be increased attentiveness to how students' family cultures can be very different from the dominant culture of the school. Children must learn to respect and value people regardless of the color of their skin, their physical abilities, or the language they speak.

4. Honduras The predominant ethnic groups in Honduras are the Mestizos (people of mixed native and Spanish descent) and the Garífunas(descendents of African slaves from the nearby Caribbean islands). Spanish is the dominant national language. Beans and corn tortillas are staples in the Honduran diet. Plantains and manioc are also important foods in much of the country. Honduras, which is located in the north-central part of Central America, has a Caribbean and Pacific coastline. The land is mountainous; it is also marked by fertile plateaus, river valleys, and narrow coastal plains. The climate is subtropical in the lowlands and temperate in the mountains. There is a rainy season and a dry season. Most Hondurans prefer standing a little less than an arm’s length apart during conversations. This distance may be less between good friends and family.

5. El Salvador El Salvador is the smallest, but most densely populated country in Central America. El Salvador has some of the world’s most active volcanoes. The Santa Anna Volcano is the highest in El Salvador. The Mestizos make up about 90% of the country’s population. Spanish is the dominant national language. Many Salvadoran dishes are made with corn. El Salvador has a tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons. Salvadoran women often pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder, rather than shake hands. El Salvador has a formal culture where use of first names are reserved only for close friends and family.

6. Differences The currency in Honduras is the Lempira; El Salvador uses the U.S. dollar. The Honduran government is a constitutional republic, where as El Salvador is a presidential republic. El Salvador (Area: 8,124 sq. mi) is much smaller than Honduras (43,278 s. mi.). Corn is an important part of both Honduran and Salvadoran cuisine. Both countries have a high population of Mestizos people. El Salvador and Honduras share a border. Both countries were once occupied by Spain. Differences and Similarities in Honduras and El Salvador Similarities

7. Honduras & El Salvador Compared to the United States Compared to Honduras and El Salvador, the United States has a more diverse population. Because the government structure of the United States is Federal presidential constitutional republic, it bares some similarities to the governments of El Salvador and Honduras. Though the dominant language spoken in the United States is English, there is a rapidly-growing rate of Spanish speaking citizens; Spanish is the dominant language in Honduras and El Salvador.

8. Key Data. (2011). El Salvador Country Review, 1-4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Honduras Profile. (2009). International Debates, 7(6), 4. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. References