n and Independence; 800-1838
             Honduras is the second largest country in Central America. It is triangular shaped and covers an area of 112,088 square kilometers (Merrill 1993: 66). Much of the country consists of rugged and mountainous terrain with only about 20% of the area considered arable land. Much of the latter is located along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts with the rest scattered intermittently throughout the valley areas (see figure 1).
             Honduras was originally home to part of the Mayan empire, after it's fall around 800 A. D., the area was inhabited by remnants of the Mayan people and several other indigenous groups believed to have migrated to the area. This diverse group of peoples is estimated to have reached a population of 2 million. Columbus visited the area in 1502, and Spanish navigators in 1508, but the rugged and inhospitable terrain repelled both groups. It was not until 1524 that formal Spanish colinialization of Honduras occurred. This era, which lasted until 1821, was characterized by domination of the indigenous population and the exploitation of natural resources (Merrill 1993: xvi).
             The indigenous population decreased considerably due to disease, mistreatment and exportation as slaves. By 1539 the estimated 2 million populations was down to 15,000 and by 1541 only 8,000 (Merrill 1993: xxiv). To keep the indigenous population under control the Spanish set up a paternalistic system in which groups of native peoples, while remaining in their own villages, were placed under direct control of individual Spanish settlers. Under this system the labour power of the natives were exploited in the mining of gold and silver, which was the primary economic activity during the 16th century. The capital of Tegucigalpa was founded during this era at the site of one of the major silver mines. By the 17th century, the mining industry had run it's course and the Spanish colony lost much of its prestige. ...