Short answers, pulled from the story.
Central America consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. These nations form the subregion bordered by Mexico to the north and Colombia to the southeast.
The region achieved formal independence from Spanish authority on the 28th of September 1821 with the signing of the Act of Independence of Central America. This event concluded over two centuries of rule under the Captaincy General of Guatemala which ended that same year.
Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado commenced the conquest of northern Central America for the Spanish Empire beginning in 1523. His forces systematically subdued major Maya kingdoms including the K'iche', Tz'utujil, Pipil, and Kaqchikel before the last independent Maya kingdoms fell in 1697.
The Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot extends from southern Mexico to southeastern Panama within the borders of Central America. This area contains high seismic activity due to active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc causing frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.
The Central American Integration System (SICA) was created in 1991 to provide a clear legal basis for avoiding disputes between member states. SICA membership includes the seven nations of Central America plus the Dominican Republic as announced on the 6th of December 2008.