This article is in a series we call Indy Reads Writes, where Indy Reads’ staff and volunteers share firsthand experiences related to literacy, literacy education, and the joy of reading. 

The chill of fall and the promise of winter snow are in the air.

Some of Indy Reads’ ELL students are not used to this weather because they’re from countries with much warmer climates. One such country is Honduras, known by travelers and locals alike for its white sand beaches, clear blue water, and lush forests.

I learned more about the country of Honduras last week at a Lunch and Learn presentation put on by the Immigrant Welcome Center at the Lawrence Library Branch. The event was part of Welcome Week, which is an annual series of events hosted by the Immigrant Welcome Center to celebrate the many diverse cultures of Indianapolis. 

The presentation was led by Helene Rodriguez, a Honduran-American woman and immigration paralegal at the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic. Thanks to her, I’ve moved from a novice to beginner in my knowledge about Honduras! Here are ten facts I now know:

1. Honduras is in Central America and is surrounded by Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The country is the size of the state of Tennessee.
2. The capital of Honduras is Tegucigalpa, where the majority of the population lives. It is the largest city in Honduras.
3. Official language is Spanish, but Garifuna, Miskito, and Lenca are also dialects spoken by indigenous groups.
4. The population is 9,448,404 people.
5. The currency of Honduras is the Lempira, which is named after an indigenous Honduran leader from the 16th century. 1 USD is equal to 24.03 lempiras.
6. 66% of the population is impoverished and Honduras is the 2nd poorest country in Central America, due in part to crime, government corruption, and natural disasters.
7. Their main exports are bananas and coffee. Industries include farming, warehouses, tourism, construction, and retail.
8. A traditional food of Honduras is the Baleada, which is a flour tortilla folded in half and filled with refried beans, cheese, and cream. Other optional toppings include eggs, avocado and your choice of meats.
   *El Sabor Catracho is a local Honduran restaurant that serves delicious baleadas and other traditional dishes.
9. Hondurans are called “Catrachos”, similar to “Hoosiers” for Indiana residents.
10. There are roughly 1 million Hondurans in the United States, and they are the 8th largest Hispanic community in the US. It is estimated that there are 50,000 Hondurans living in the state of Indiana.

Lydia Johnson is the Operations Manager for Indy Reads. She’s a writer originally from Gary, Indiana who loves tea, poetry, and the arts.