This is the history of Central America. Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ...

Before European Contact

In pre-Columbian times, most of modern Central America was part of the Mesoamerican civilization. The Native American societies of Mesoamerica occupied the land ranging from central Mexico in the north to Costa Rica in the south. The pre-Columbian cultures of Panama traded with both Mesoamerica and South America, and can be considered transitional between those two cultural areas. The term Pre-Columbian is used to refer to the cultures of the New World in the era before significant European influence. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... The cultural areas of Mesoamerica The term Mesoamérica is used to refer to a geographical region that extends roughly from the Tropic of Cancer in central Mexico down through Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua to northwestern Costa Rica, and which is characterized by the particular cultural homogeneity... A Hupa man, 1923 The term Indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the inhabitants of the Americas before its European discovery in the late 15th century, as well as many present-day ethnic groups who identify themselves with those historical peoples. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ...

Spanish Colonial Era

Central America is composed of seven independent nations: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, most of the inhabitants of Central America shared a similar history. The exception was British Honduras, a sparsely populated area that was leased by the Spanish Crown to Great Britain for 150 years for the exploitation of certain natural dyes. Later the region of Belize was claimed as a colony by the English Crown and to never go back to Spain or Guatemala, which claimed it as its territory until the 1970s . British Honduras for the English and Belice for the Spaniards and Guatemalans gained its independence from Great Britain in 1973 and adopted the name "Belize".

From the 16th century through 1821 Central America formed the Captaincy General of Guatemala, sometimes known also as the Kingdom of Guatemala, composed by the states of Chiapas (now part of Mexico), Guatemala (including present day Belize), El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Officially, the Captaincy was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and therefore under the rule of the Spanish viceroy in Mexico City. It was, however, administered not by the viceroy or his deputies, but by an independently appointed Captain General headquartered first in Antigua Guatemala and later in Guatemala City. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Chiapas is a state in the southeast of Mexico. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A viceroy is a royal official who governs a country or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. ... (Spanish: Ciudad de México, México D.F. or simply México, pronounced IPA: ) is the capital city of the nation of Mexico. ... Cathedral of San Francisco Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua) is a city in the central mountains of Guatemala famous for its well-preserved Spanish New World Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruined churches. ... National Palace of Culture Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. ...

Independence

In 1821 a congress of Central American criollos declared their independence from Spain, effective on 15 September of that year. That date is still marked as the independence day by most Central American nations. The Spanish Captain General, Gabino Gaínza, sympathized with the rebels and it was decided that he should stay on as interim leader until a new government could be formed. Independence was short-lived, for the conservative leaders in Guatemala welcomed annexation by the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide on 5 January 1822. Central American liberals objected to this, but an army from Mexico under General Vicente Filisola occupied Guatemala City and quelled dissent. The coronation banquet for George IV 1821 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... In the Spanish colonial caste system (castas), a criollo was a person of unmixed Spanish ancestry born in the colonies. ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... It has been suggested that Statehood Day be merged into this article or section. ... Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Arámburu (September 27, 1783 – July 19, 1824) was Emperor of Mexico from 1822 to 1823. ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ...

When Mexico became a republic the following year, it acknowledged Central America's right to determine its own destiny. On 1 July 1823, the congress of Central America declared absolute independence from Spain, Mexico, and any other foreign nation, and a Republican system of government was established. In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people whose political power is based on principles that are not beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... In a broad definition, a republic is a state or country that is led by people whose political power is based on principles that are not beyond the control of the people of that state or country. ...

Map of Central America (1860s).

Central America, 1892

Map of Central America, c. ... Map of Central America, c. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1547x1135, 701 KB) Central America in 1892 File links The following pages link to this file: History of Central America ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1547x1135, 701 KB) Central America in 1892 File links The following pages link to this file: History of Central America ...

The United Provinces of Central America

Main article: United Provinces of Central America Capital Guatemala City; in 1834 moved to San Salvador Created 1823 Dissolved 1840 Demonym Centroamerican The United Provinces of Central America (UPCA) was a country that existed in Central America from July 1823 to approximately 1840. ...

In 1823 the nation of Central America was formed. It was intended to be a federal republic modeled after the United States of America, and it was known officially as "The United Provinces of Central America" and is known sometimes today in English as "The United States of Central America." The Central American nation consisted of the states of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. In the 1830s an additional state was added, Los Altos, with its capital in Quetzaltenango, occupying parts of what is now the western highlands of Guatemala and Chiapas (now part of Mexico), but this state was reincorporated into Guatemala and Mexico respectively in 1840. 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Federal Republic of Germany and its sixteen Bundesländer (federal states) A federal republic is a federation of states with a republican form of government. ... Capital Guatemala City; in 1834 moved to San Salvador Created 1823 Dissolved 1840 Demonym Centroamerican The United Provinces of Central America (UPCA) was a country that existed in Central America from July 1823 to approximately 1840. ... Events and Trends Electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday Dutch-speaking farmers known as Voortrekkers emigrate northwards from the Cape Colony Croquet invented in Ireland Railroad construction begins in earnest in the United States Egba refugees fleeing the Yoruba civil wars found the city of Abeokuta in south-west Nigeria... Los Altos (The Highlands in the Spanish language) was an area of Central America, which was added as a sixth state to the United States of Central America in the 1830s. ... Buildings flanking the Central Park Square in Quetzaltenango Building flanking the Central Park Square in Quetzaltenango Quetzaltenango is the second most populous city of Guatemala, after Guatemala City, and is the capital of Quetzaltenango Department. ... Chiapas is a state in the southeast of Mexico. ...

Central American liberals had high hopes for the federal republic, which they believed would evolve into a modern, democratic nation, enriched by trade crossing through it between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. These aspirations are reflected in the emblems of the federal republic: The flag shows a white band between two blue stripes, representing the land between two oceans. The coat of arms shows five mountains (one for each state) between two oceans, surmounted by a Phrygian cap, the emblem of the French Revolution. The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean, covering approximately one-fifth of the Earths surface. ... View of the Pacific Ocean from Oregon. ... The Phrygian cap or Liberty cap is a soft conical cap with the top pulled forward, worn by the inhabitants of Phrygia, a region of central Anatolia in antiquity. ... The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a pivotal period in the history of French, European and Western civilization. ...

The Union dissolved in civil war between 1838 and 1840. Its disintegration began when Honduras separated from the federation on November 5, 1838. November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 56 days remaining. ... | Jöns Jakob Berzelius, discoverer of protein 1838 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Greater Republic of Central America

Main article: Greater Republic of Central America The Republic of Central America (officially the Greater Republic of Central America) was an attempt to unite the Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador into a single state, lasting from 1896 to 1898. ...

Various attempts were made to reunite Central America in the 19th century, but none succeeded for any length of time. The first attempt was in 1842 by former President Morazán, who was quickly captured and executed. The abortive attempt aimed to restore the union as the Confederation of Central America and included El Salvador, Guatemala (which withdrew early), Honduras, and Nicaragua). This first attempt lasted until 1844. A second attempt was made and lasted from October to November 1852, when El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua created a Federation of Central America (Federacion de Centro America). Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios attempted to reunite the nation by force of arms in the 1880s and was also killed in the process, like his 1842 predecessor. A third union of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador as the Greater Republic of Central America or "Republica Mayor de Centroamerica" lasted from 1896 to 1898. The latest attempt occurred between June 1921 and Jan 1922 when El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras formed a (second) Federation of Central America. This second Federation was nearly moribund from the start having only a Provisional Federal Council made up of delegates from each state. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Justo Rufino Barrios (July 19, 1835 – April 2, 1885) was a President of Guatemala known for his liberal reforms and his attempts to reunite Central America. ... // Development and commercial production of electric lighting Development and commercial production of gasoline-powered automobile by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach First commercial production and sales of phonographs and phonograph recordings. ... The Republic of Central America (officially the Greater Republic of Central America) was an attempt to unite the Central American countries of Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador into a single state, lasting from 1896 to 1898. ...

20th century

Despite the failure of a lasting political union, the concept of Central American reunification, though lacking enthusiasm from the leaders of the individual countries, rises from time to time. In 1856-1857 the region successfully established a military coalition to repel an invasion by U.S. adventurer William Walker. Today, all five nations fly flags that retain the old federal motif of two outer blue bands bounding an inner white stripe. (Costa Rica, traditionally the least committed of the five to regional integration, modified its flag significantly in 1848 by darkening the blue and adding a double-wide inner red band, in honor of the French tricolor). 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1857 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... United States is the current Good Article Collaboration of the week! Please help to improve this article to the highest of standards. ... William Walker William Walker (May 8, 1824 - September 12, 1860) was a U.S. physician, lawyer, journalist, mercenary and soldier of fortune who attempted to conquer several Latin American countries in the mid-19th century. ... The tricolour flag of France A flag is a symbol, often displayed on a piece of cloth that can be flown from a pole or mast, and is generally used for signalling or identification. ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1907 a Central American Court of Justice was created. On December 13, 1960, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua established the Central American Common Market ("CACM"). Costa Rica, because of its relative economic prosperity and political stability, chose not to participate in the CACM. The goals for the CACM were to create greater political unification and success of Import Substitution Industrialization policies. The project was an immediate economic success, but was abandoned after the 1969 "Soccer War" between El Salvador and Honduras. 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Central American Court of Justice was an international court established by five Central American states by a treaty signed December 20, 1907 at Washington, D.C. Categories: Law stubs ... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ... The Central American Common Market (abbreviated CACM - in Spanish: Mercado Común Centroamericano, abbreviated MCCA) is an economic trade organization between five nations of Central America. ...

A Central American Parliament has operated, as a purely advisory body, since 1991. Costa Rica has repeatedly declined invitations to join the regional parliament, which seats deputies from the four other former members of the Union, as well as from Panama and the Dominican Republic. The Central American Parliament, also know by the abbreviation Parlacen (from the Spanish Parlamento Centroamericano) is a political institution devoted to the integration of the Central American countries. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History of Central American Nations

• History of Belize
• History of Costa Rica
• History of El Salvador
• History of Guatemala
• History of Honduras
• History of Nicaragua
• History of Panama

Temples at Altun Ha The history of Belize dates back thousands of years. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Before the Spanish conquest, the area that is now El Salvador was made up of two large indigenous states and several principalities. ... // Pre-Columbian Guatemala The Maya civilization thrived throughout much of Guatemala and the surrounding region for close to 2000 years before the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century. ... // Pre-Colombian times In Pre-Columbian times, what is now Honduras was part of the Mesoamerican cultural area. ... Nicaragua takes its name from Nicarao, chief of the Native American tribe then living around present-day Lake Nicaragua. ... Pre-Columbian ceramic figure from Talamancan, Panama Panama had a rich Pre-Colombian heritage of native populations whose presence stretched back over 12,000 years. ...

See also

• History of the Americas
• History of Latin America
• History of the Caribbean
• History of South America