A small country, especially one in Central America, that is dependent on a single export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government
a small country (especially in Central America) that is politically unstable and whose economy is dominated by foreign companies and depends on one export (such as bananas)
country economically dependent on a single export (usually run by a military government or a dictator); country which grows bananas
Small, poor countries that are politically unstable are sometimes referred to as banana republics. A small country that is economically dependent on a single export commodity, such as bananas, and is typically governed by a dictator or the armed forces. an insulting word for a small poor country with weak government that depends on financial help from abroad