It is called the Republic of the bananas because although it has numerous natural resources, 65% of the active populace is used in the monoculture of the banana trees.
Anuario para el rescate de la tradición oral de América latina y El Caribe

It is called the Republic of the bananas because although it has numerous natural resources, 65% of the active populace is used in the monoculture of the banana trees.