The International and Internal dynamics of Core-Periphery Relationships in Honduras and their Impact on the Human and Physical Landscape
             The historical and contemporary dynamics of Honduras core-periphery relationships both internationally and internally have had a significant impact in shaping the human and physical landscape. The topography of Honduras, limited arable land and natural resources has been a significant factor in its history and subsequent underdevelopment. The lack of development contributed to a weak state leaving Honduras particularly vulnerable to foreign exploitation and concentration of the limited arable land in the hands of both foreign owned, and elite landholders. This situation has left little land for the majority of Honduras? population, which in turn has played a role in a high level of internal rural to rural migration to marginal lands and concentration of people in these areas. The geographical representation of core-periphery relationships were fostered and reinforced through international core-periphery relationships. The internal dynamics have led to permanently altering the Honduran landscape through environmental degradation primarily deforestation. In order to tread the various variables together associated with the core-periphery relationships and the contemporary physical and human landscape this paper will focus on the historical and contemporary international core-periphery relationship between Honduras and the United States. It will then look at contemporary conflict between marginalized farmers and large landowners, which defines the internal core-periphery dynamics, specifically focusing on the Atlantic regions of Northern Honduras. This area proves to be amenable for looking at the interrelationships between land use patterns, internal migration, the farming of marginal areas and the environmental degradation associated with all three.
             Part One: Historical Roots, Colonizatio...