The election of the Partido Nacional candidate, Rafael Leonardo Callejas, in 1989 set a seal on these developments, bringing to power a modernizing civilian president committed to the Structural Adjustment Program and keen to see a continued shift in the balance of power away from the military establishment toward the civilian administration. Over two thousand years of history are richly displayed in Honduras' numerous Mayan archaeological sites and vestiges of early Spanish colonialism. As a result of this diverse history, the Honduran people are an ethnic mix of native Indian, Spanish and other nationalities. Honduras has enjoyed long lasting cultural, economic and political ties with the United States. Visitors and foreign residents in Honduras are often pleasantly surprised by the welcoming attitude of Hondurans.
Foreign residents live securely, and in pleasant surroundings, in all regions of the country.
The urban population is increasing at a much higher rate. About 700,000 people live in the capital city of Tegucigalpa and 350,000 live in San Pedro Sula, the largest industrial city. The official language is Spanish. English is widely used as a second language. In January 1994 president Carlos Roberto Reina of the Partido Liberal started his four year term.