We show you which are the countries of Central America and their capitals. Also, a complete and updated list, with the map.
What are the countries of Central America?
Central America or Central America is the region of the American continent that lies between North America and South Americaand is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
It includes two geographical areas:
- Isthmic Central America. It is the narrow continental strip that joins North America and South America.
- Insular Central America. It is the group of islands that extend over the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean. It is divided, in turn, into Greater Antilles and Lesser Antilles, according to the size of the islands.
Central America is made up of twenty independent countries and has a population of approximately 105 million inhabitants.
Isthmic Central America
Isthmic Central America includes the countries that are located on the continental strip that joins North America and South America.
| Country | Capital | Population | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belize | Belmopan | 442,000 |  |
| Costa Rica | Saint Joseph | 5,229,000 |  |
| El Salvador | San Salvador | 6,336,000 |  |
| Guatemala | Guatemala | 17,109,000 |  |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa | 10,294,000 |  |
| Nicaragua | Managua | 6,580,000 |  |
| Panama | Panama | 4,395,000 |  |
Insular Central America
Insular Central America includes the countries that extend on the islands that are located on the Caribbean Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the size of the islands, they are divided into Greater Antilles (the largest islands) and Lesser Antilles (the smallest islands).
Greater Antilles
| Country | Capital | Population | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | Nassau | 407,000 |  |
| Cuba | Havana | 11,256,000 |  |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince | 11,447,000 |  |
| Jamaica | Kingston | 2,740,000 |  |
| Dominican Republic | Saint Dominic | 11,117,000 |  |
Lesser Antilles
| Country | Capital | Population | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Saint John | 101,000 |  |
| Barbados | Bridgetown | 281,000 |  |
| Dominica | Roseau | 72,412 |  |
| Grenade | Saint George | 114,000 |  |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Basseterre | 47,606 |  |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Kingstown | 104,302 |  |
| Saint Lucia | Castries | 181,000 |  |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain | 1,407,000 |  |
1. Antigua and Barbuda
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 443 km2 and a population of 101,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Saint John and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, Poland, China, Suriname and Barbados.
2. Barbados
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 430 km2 and a population of 281,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Bridgetown and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Guyana.
3. Bahamas
It is part of the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 13,878 km2 and a population of 407,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Nassau and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, Singapore and Panama.
4. Belize
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 22,970 km2 and a population of 442,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Belmopan and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, China and Mexico.
5. Costa Rica
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 51,100 km2 and a population of 5,229,000 inhabitants. Its capital is San José and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China, the Netherlands and Mexico.
6. Cuba
It is part of the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 114,525 km2 and a population of 11,256,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Havana and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are Canada, China and Venezuela.
7. Dominica
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 754 km2 and a population of 72,412 inhabitants. Its capital is Roseau and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are Saudi Arabia, the United States and France.
8. El Salvador
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 21,040 km2 and a population of 6,336,000 inhabitants. Its capital is San Salvador and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China, Guatemala and Mexico.
9. Pomegranate
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 344 km2 and a population of 114,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Saint George and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
10. Guatemala
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 108,899 km2 and a population of 17,109,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Guatemala City and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China, El Salvador and Mexico.
11. Haiti
It is part of the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 27,750 km2 and a population of 11,447,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Port-au-Prince and its official languages are Haitian Creole and French. Its main trading partners are the United States, the Dominican Republic and China.
12. Honduras
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 112,492 km2 and a population of 10,294,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Tegucigalpa and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China and Guatemala.
13. Jamaica
It is part of the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 10,991 km2 and a population of 2,740,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Kingston and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, Puerto Rico and China.
14. Nicaragua
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 130,373 km2 and a population of 6,580,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Managua and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China, Guatemala and El Salvador.
15. Panama
It is part of Isthmic Central America. It has an area of 75,517 km2 and a population of 4,395,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Panama City and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, China and Japan.
16. Dominican Republic
It is part of the Greater Antilles. It has an area of 48,442 km2 and a population of 11,117,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Santo Domingo and its official language is Spanish. Its main trading partners are the United States, Mexico and Spain.
17. Saint Kitts and Nevis
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 261 km2 and a population of 47,606 inhabitants. Its capital is Basseterre and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
18. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 389 km2 and a population of 104,302 inhabitants. Its capital is Kingstown and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and the Netherlands.
19. Saint Lucia
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 616 km2 and a population of 181,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Castries and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are Trinidad and Tobago, the United States and China.
20. Trinidad and Tobago
It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It has an area of 5,128 km2 and a population of 1,407,000 inhabitants. Its capital is Port of Spain and its official language is English. Its main trading partners are the United States, Guyana and China.
Origin of the name of Central America
Over the past two centuries, the region has been known by different names. Initially it was called the United Provinces of Central America and then the Federal Republic of Central America.. The unity of the continent did not prosper and, during the 19th century, the region had different names.
The name Central America It began to be widely used in the 20th century. During that century, regional organizations were created such as the Central American Common Market and the Central American Integration System (SICA), which brings together the eight countries of Isthmic Central America. There are also organizations such as the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), which is made up of the countries that have coasts on this sea.
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References
- World Bank. (2024). Population, total. https://datos.bancomundial.org/
- Gil, A. (2021). The political map of Central America. The World Order. https://elordenmundial.com/
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (sf). Countries and territories sheet. https://www.exteriores.gob.es/
