The Spanish used at least three different terms to refer to the area that became the Central American country of Honduras. * Guaymuras - a name Columbus provided for a town near modern Trujillo. Bartolom� de las Casas subsequently generalized it to apply to the whole colony. * Higueras - a reference to the gourds that come from the Jicaro tree, many of which were found floating in the waters off the northwest coast of Honduras. * Honduras - literally "depths" in Spanish. Columbus is traditionally quoted as having written Gracias a Dios que hemos salido de esas Honduras (English: "Thank God we have come out of those depths") while along the northeastern coast.