Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. El Salvador is beset by one of the world's highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs.
- Capital
- San Salvador
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 6,334,723
- Area
- 21,041 sq km
- Location
- Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
- Climate
- tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
- Natural resources
- hydropower; geothermal power; petroleum; arable land
- Languages
- Spanish (official); Nawat (among some indigenous)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 43.9%; Protestant 39.6% (Evangelical - unspecified 38.2%; Evangelical - Methodist 1.3%; Evangelical - Baptist 0.1%)…
- Independence
- 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
- Administrative divisions
- 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapán, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlán, La Libertad, La P…
- Export partners
- USA 36%; Guatemala 17%; Honduras 15%; Nicaragua 8%…
- Import partners
- USA 28%; China 15%; Guatemala 11%; Mexico 8%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain