<P> Volcanic eruptions are also common in Central America . In 1968 the Arenal Volcano, in Costa Rica, erupted killing 87 people as the 3 villages of Tabacon, Pueblo Nuevo and San Luis were buried under pyroclastic flows and debris . Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lava have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas . </P> <P> The population of Central America is estimated at 47,448,333 as of 2016 . With an area of 523,780 square kilometers (202,230 sq mi), it has a population density of 81 per square kilometer (210 / sq mi). </P> <Table> Countries of Central America <Tr> <Th> Name of territory, with flag </Th> <Th> Area (km2) </Th> <Th> Population (2016 est .) </Th> <Th> Population density (per km2) </Th> <Th> Capital </Th> <Th> Official language </Th> <Th> Human Development Index </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belize </Td> <Td> 7004229660000000000 ♠ 22,966 </Td> <Td> 366,954 </Td> <Td> 7001130000000000000 ♠ 13 </Td> <Td> Belmopan </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> 0,715 High </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Costa Rica </Td> <Td> 7004511000000000000 ♠ 51,100 </Td> <Td> 4,857,274 </Td> <Td> 7001820000000000000 ♠ 82 </Td> <Td> San José </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,766 High </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> El Salvador </Td> <Td> 7004210400000000000 ♠ 21,040 </Td> <Td> 6,344,722 </Td> <Td> 7002292000000000000 ♠ 292 </Td> <Td> San Salvador </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,666 Medium </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guatemala </Td> <Td> 7005108890000000000 ♠ 108,890 </Td> <Td> 16,582,469 </Td> <Td> 7002129000000000000 ♠ 129 </Td> <Td> Guatemala City </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,627 Medium </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Honduras </Td> <Td> 7005112090000000000 ♠ 112,090 </Td> <Td> 9,112,867 </Td> <Td> 7001670000000000000 ♠ 67 </Td> <Td> Tegucigalpa </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,606 Medium </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nicaragua </Td> <Td> 7005130373000000000 ♠ 130,373 </Td> <Td> 6,149,928 </Td> <Td> 7001440000000000000 ♠ 44 </Td> <Td> Managua </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,631 Medium </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Panama </Td> <Td> 7004782000000000000 ♠ 78,200 </Td> <Td> 4,034,119 </Td> <Td> 7001440000000000000 ♠ 44 </Td> <Td> Panama City </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> 0,780 High </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Total </Th> <Td> 7005523780000000000 ♠ 523,780 </Td> <Td> 7007474483330000000 ♠ 47,448,333 </Td> <Td> 7001800000000000000 ♠ 80 </Td> <Td> - </Td> <Td> - </Td> <Td> - </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Name of territory, with flag </Th> <Th> Area (km2) </Th> <Th> Population (2016 est .) </Th> <Th> Population density (per km2) </Th> <Th> Capital </Th> <Th> Official language </Th> <Th> Human Development Index </Th> </Tr>

The country in middle america with the largest population is