Chigoe Flea - Honduras

An unfulfilled dream of a unified Central America is expressed in the Honduran flag. Each star represents a member of the now defunct Federal Republic of Central America. This union was formed in 1823, following independence from Spain, but was dissolved in 1838, as each entity declared its own independence.

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Tunga penetran - Over 2,000 species of fleas have been identified worldwide; the chigoe flea is considered the smallest. Fleas are external parasites living off their hosts by sucking blood from mammals and birds. Some species of flea have adapted themselves to rely on certain types of animals for their blood meal. Fleas do not have wings, but their long and powerful hind legs can propel them forward at impressive rates. Fleas are laterally compressed to allow passage through fur, hair, and dense clothing.

Yellow-headed Parrot - Honduras

Amazona oratris - Yellow-headed parrots are found in low thickly wooded areas and they occasionally gather in large noisy flocks. It measures 35 to 40 centimeters in length. Males and females closely resembling each other; stout bills, plump bodies, and short necks. When excited, the feathers on the crown and neck are raised to make the head appear double in size. Their numbers have suffered a sharp decline, a result of habitat loss and the capturing of individuals for the pet trade.

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Copán, located in the extreme western department of modern day Honduras, was an important Mayan city flourishing from the 5th to 9th century. At the height of power, the Copán Valley had an estimated population of over 20,000 people. The city suffered a devastating defeat to Quiriguá, a rival Maya city, in 738 AD, resulting in the slow decline of Copán. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they found a few scattered farming hamlets and an abandoned ceremonial center.

The Maya

 

 

Mayan Glyphs - The classic period of Maya history was a period of spectacular achievements in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, architectural design, agricultural planning, and urban development. The Maya built cities larger than those of Europe and elegant pyramids rivaling those of Egypt. The Maya codices were folding books inscribed with colorful glyphs. The books, made from the bark of fig trees, recorded various aspects important to Maya civilization: astronomical tables, divination, almanacs, and other issues. In an attempt to subdue the Maya culture, the Spanish suppressed or destroyed the books; a few have survived. Maya writing is based on logograms, a written character is used to represent a word or morpheme. There are other Mesoamerican scripts, but the Mayan style, dating from 2,200 years ago, is the most highly developed.