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List of Cities in Central America
Central America is a region located between North America and South America, consisting of seven countries that offer a diverse range of landscapes, cultures, and histories. In addition to its rich geographical and cultural diversity, Central America is home to bustling urban centers that contribute significantly to the region’s vibrancy. These cities, characterized by a blend of historical significance and modern development, serve as focal points for commerce, culture, and innovation.
Among these, Guatemala City stands out as the largest metropolis, combining modernity with ancient Mayan heritage. San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, showcases a mix of colonial architecture and contemporary urban life. The scenic beauty of San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, is complemented by its status as a hub for ecotourism and innovation. In Honduras, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula are bustling urban centers contributing to the country’s economic activity. Panama City, with its iconic skyline and the strategic Panama Canal, is a global financial hub.
Let’s look at the Top Cities and Capital of Central American countries
Country | Capital | Major Cities |
Belize | Belmopan | Belize City, San Ignacio, Orange Walk |
Costa Rica | San Jose | San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia |
El Salvador | San Salvador | San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel |
Guatemala | Guatemala City | Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, Quetzaltenango |
Honduras | Tegucigalpa | Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba |
Nicaragua | Managua | Managua, Granada, León |
Panama | Panama City | Panama City, Colón, David |
also read about Central America’s Population
Top Metro Areas by Population
Guatemala Metro Area is the largest Urban Area in Guatemala and has a population of over 3 million people. Panama City in Panama follows with around 2 million residents, while Tegucigalpa in Honduras is home to approximately 1.5 million people. San Jose in Tegucigalpa has a population of about 1.4 million, and the capital of El Salvador, San Salvador, has around 1.1 million residents.
Let’s have a look at the top 10 Metro Areas in Central America
Rank | City | Country | Urban Agglomeration Population |
1 | Guatemala City | Guatemala | 3,036,000 |
2 | Panama City | Panama | 1,938,000 |
3 | Tegucigalpa | Honduras | 1,527,000 |
4 | San José | Costa Rica | 1,441,000 |
5 | San Salvador | El Salvador | 1,111,000 |
6 | Managua | Nicaragua | 1,083,000 |
7 | San Pedro Sula | Honduras | 956,000 |
8 | Villa Nueva | Guatemala | 564,686 |
9 | Mixco | Guatemala | 495,079 |
10 | Alajuela | Costa Rica | 398,000 |
Our standings are based on the Metro/Urban population of the cities.
also read about top Cities in Brazil by population
Top Cities by Population
Rank | City | Country | City Proper Population |
1 | Tegucigalpa | Honduras | 1,190,230 |
2 | San Salvador | El Salvador | 1,116,052 |
3 | Managua | Nicaragua | 1,039,290 |
4 | Guatemala City | Guatemala | 994,078 |
5 | San Pedro Sula | Honduras | 742,118 |
6 | Villa Nueva | Guatemala | 564,686 |
7 | Mixco | Guatemala | 495,079 |
8 | Panama City | Panama | 468,843 |
9 | San José | Costa Rica | 333,980 |
10 | Soyapango | El Salvador | 280,435 |
11 | Santa Ana | El Salvador | 269,386 |
12 | San Miguel | El Salvador | 257,621 |
13 | Choloma | Honduras | 242,973 |
14 | San Juan Sacatepéquez | Guatemala | 237,245 |
15 | León | Nicaragua | 204,985 |
16 | La Ceiba | Honduras | 204,140 |
17 | David | Panama | 89,500 |
18 | Alajuela | Costa Rica | 89,227 |
19 | Heredia | Costa Rica | 54,000 |
20 | Antiguo Guatemala | Guatemala | 34,900 |