Central America sits between North America and South America and is made up of 8 countries covering an area of 590,000 square kilometres, with a population of 42.5 million. The Pacific Ocean lies to the South-West, with the Central America Sea to the North-East and the Gulf of Mexico to the North.

Central America was long inhabited by indigenous people, before the Spanish arrived and conquered the region in the early 16th century. They continued to rule for about 300 years.

Two-thirds of the Central American population is of mixed American Indian and Spanish background. The main languages spoken are Spanish, English and also American Indian languages. The religion is primarily Roman Catholicism.

Central America's climate varies with altitude from tropical to cool. A common feature of the geography is the mountainous chain that extends through the centre of the region.

On each coast there are humid swamps and lowlands, where the climate is generally hotter and more humid then the cooler highlands. The Eastern side of the region receives heavy rainfall. The area is geologically active, with a number of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurring from time to time.

The region has around 40 volcanoes, the volcanic zones have fertile soil and are productive agricultural areas. Bananas, coffee, and cacao are the chief crops of Central America and gold and silver are also mined there.