Global HR Tour Guide

Central America

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Central America, a subregion of North America, is bordered by Mexico to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Comprising seven countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama – the region boasts the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, spanning from northern Guatemala to central Panama.

However, Central America also experiences frequent seismic activity due to active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc, leading to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, often resulting in casualties and property damage.

In the pre-Columbian era, Central America was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, with Spain beginning colonization efforts following Christopher Columbus’ voyages. From 1609 to 1821, most Central American territories were governed by the viceroyalty of New Spain. Independence movements in the early 19th century led to the formation of independent Central American states, with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua becoming independent in the late 1830s, followed by El Salvador, Panama, and Belize at later dates.