ErebusFact library / Countries
7 countries in Central America, each with a picture to fix its place, shape or name in your memory.
Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, is home to the ancient Maya city of Tikal.
Picture it
Just south of Mexico, giant Maya pyramids poke out of the jungle canopy at TIKAL. A TICKLE fight breaks out on top, and a parrot squawks: "WHAT A MALL-A!" ("Guate-MALA").
Memory hooks
Belize is the only Central American country with English as its official language, and its capital is Belmopan.
Picture it
On the Caribbean coast below Mexico, a BELL rings ("bel-EEZE") and everyone answers in English, the only Central American country where it's official. They meet in BELL-MOP-AN, where a bell is mopping the floor.
Memory hooks
Honduras is a mountainous Central American country with a long Caribbean coast, and its capital is Tegucigalpa.
Picture it
In the middle of Central America, a HONDA car ("HON-duras") drives through the mountains. A TEA GOOSE sits in the back and GULPS its drink: TEGUCIGALPA.
Memory hooks
Say it: Tegucigalpa (teh·goo·see·GAHL·pah)
El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America and the only one with no Caribbean coastline; its capital is San Salvador.
Picture it
The smallest kid in Central America stands with his back to the Pacific, sulking: he's the only one with no Caribbean beach. His SAVIOUR ("El Salvador" means "the Saviour") gives him a bowl of SALSA.
Memory hooks
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, home to the vast Lake Nicaragua, and its capital is Managua.
Picture it
The largest country in Central America has a huge freshwater lake in the middle, with sharks swimming in it. A NICE CAR ("NICK-a-RAG-wa") drives to the capital and a MAN shouts "WAH!": MANAGUA.
Memory hooks
Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948, and its capital is San José.
Picture it
In 1948, a general marches his soldiers into the rainforest, hangs up his helmet and says "You're all dismissed for good." A RICH COAST ("Costa Rica") of sloths and volcanoes, with no army, ever since.
Memory hooks
Panama is the S-shaped country joining Central and South America, and its canal between the Atlantic and Pacific opened in 1914.
Picture it
A sideways S of land links North and South America, and in 1914 someone slices right through its waist to let ships pass between the oceans. A man in a PANAMA HAT cuts the ribbon.
Memory hooks