Central America Map
Central America is the narrow isthmus connecting North and South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. This region contains 7 countries, each with unique geography ranging from volcanic highlands to tropical lowlands. Learn to identify each country by its shape and position on the map.
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Study the Countries
Belize Belize
Borders: Mexico, Guatemala
Area: 22,966 km² · Coastline: 386 km
Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west and south. The country features low-lying coastal plains, swampy lowlands, and the Maya Mountains in the south. It is home to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world.
Shape: A small, roughly rectangular country on the Caribbean coast, tucked between Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala.
Fun Facts
- Belize is the only Central American country with English as its official language.
- The Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole over 300 meters across, lies off the coast of Belize.
- Belize has the lowest population density of any Central American nation.
Guatemala Guatemala
Borders: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador
Area: 108,889 km² · Coastline: 400 km
Guatemala is the northernmost and most populous country in Central America. It borders Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, Honduras to the east, and El Salvador to the southeast. The landscape features volcanic highlands, dense tropical rainforests in the Petén lowlands, and a narrow Pacific coastal plain.
Shape: An irregularly shaped country at the top of Central America, wider in the north with a narrowing southern portion.
Fun Facts
- Guatemala has 37 volcanoes, of which three are currently active.
- Lake Atitlán in Guatemala is often called the most beautiful lake in the world.
- Guatemala shares its longest border with Mexico at over 950 km.
El Salvador El Salvador
Borders: Guatemala, Honduras
Area: 21,041 km² · Coastline: 307 km
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America, located on the Pacific coast. It is bordered by Guatemala to the west and Honduras to the north and east. The country is dominated by volcanic highlands and has no Caribbean coastline, making it the only Central American country without one.
Shape: A small, compact country on the Pacific side of Central America, shaped somewhat like a horizontal oval.
Fun Facts
- El Salvador is the only Central American country without a Caribbean coastline.
- The country has over 20 volcanoes, earning it the nickname "Land of Volcanoes."
- El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America by area.
Honduras Honduras
Borders: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua
Area: 112,492 km² · Coastline: 823 km
Honduras occupies a central position in Central America with extensive coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and a small outlet on the Pacific via the Gulf of Fonseca. It is bordered by Guatemala to the west, El Salvador to the southwest, and Nicaragua to the southeast. The interior is dominated by rugged mountains and valleys.
Shape: A roughly triangular country in the middle of Central America, with a long northern Caribbean coast.
Fun Facts
- Honduras has the longest Caribbean coastline of any Central American country.
- The Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
- Honduras shares borders with three other Central American countries.
Nicaragua Nicaragua
Borders: Honduras, Costa Rica
Area: 130,375 km² · Coastline: 910 km
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, located between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. It has coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The western region features a chain of volcanoes and two large freshwater lakes, Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua.
Shape: The largest Central American country, roughly triangular with the Caribbean coast forming the long eastern side.
Fun Facts
- Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America at over 130,000 km².
- Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and contains freshwater sharks.
- Nicaragua has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Costa Rica Costa Rica
Borders: Nicaragua, Panama
Area: 51,100 km² · Coastline: 1,290 km
Costa Rica lies between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The country features a rugged central mountain range with active volcanoes, flanked by coastal plains on both sides. Despite its small size, it contains about 5% of the world's biodiversity.
Shape: A relatively small country narrowing toward Panama, resembling a slightly curved rectangle between two oceans.
Fun Facts
- Costa Rica has no military, having abolished its army in 1948.
- Over 25% of Costa Rica's land is protected in national parks and reserves.
- Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth relative to its size.
Panama Panama
Borders: Costa Rica, Colombia
Area: 75,417 km² · Coastline: 2,490 km
Panama is the southernmost country in Central America, forming the land bridge between Central and South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. The country is famous for the Panama Canal, which cuts through the isthmus connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Shape: A long, S-shaped country stretching east-west at the bottom of Central America, connecting to South America.
Fun Facts
- The Panama Canal handles about 5% of world maritime trade.
- Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise over the Pacific and set over the Atlantic.
- Panama borders Colombia, making it the only Central American country bordering South America.
Quick Reference
Test Your Knowledge
Can you identify these countries on the map?
About Central America Geography
Central America is a narrow isthmus connecting the larger landmasses of North and South America. The region spans approximately 2,500 km from Guatemala in the north to Panama in the south. Its geography is characterized by volcanic mountain chains, tropical rainforests, and extensive coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in Central America?
There are 7 countries in Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Which is the largest Central American country?
Nicaragua is the largest Central American country by area, covering approximately 130,375 km².
Which Central American country has the Panama Canal?
The Panama Canal is located in Panama, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through a 82 km waterway.