Country Information

Central America.

21,041 sq km (8,124 sq miles).

6,108,590 (2013).

290.3 per sq km.

San Salvador.

Republic.

El Salvador is situated in Central America between 13° and 14°N. It is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras, and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. The country is the smallest in Central America and uniquely within the region, it has no Caribbean coastline. North-easterly movement of the offshore Cocos tectonic plate and the westerly movement of El Salvador’s northern neighbours accounts for the frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity in the country. Most of El Salvador is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel volcanic ranges. The highest volcanoes are Santa Ana at 2,365m (7,759ft), San Vicente at 2,182m (7,159ft) and San Salvador at 1,943m (6,375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, creating a richly mineralised soil, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone. On the country’s longest river, the Rio Lempa, the 800m (2,624ft)-wide hydroelectric Cerrón Grande Dam provides power to much of the country and has created a reservoir with capacity of 2,180 million m³. Fed by rivers in Guatemala and Honduras, the Lempa flows in a broadly southern direction spreading into the Bajo Lempa flood plain before draining into the Pacific. Lago De Ilopango is the country’s largest ‘natural’ lake with surface area of 72 sq km (28 sq miles). A scenic crater lake with steeply scalloped banks, it lies just to the east of San Salvador. Of the country’s other lakes, Lago De Coatepeque is the most notable and perhaps most scenic with hot springs an added attraction for visitors. The lake covers 26 sq km (10 sq miles) in the province of Santa Ana, and like Ilopango it has steep high banks. Rising up from Coatepeque’s watery blue crater is Isla Teopán (‘sprouting island’) where important Mayan artefacts have been found.

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken but often not to a high standard. Do not expect to get by if you are unprepared to attempt at least a few words of Spanish. Most locals will welcome any attempt to speak their language.

The majority (75%) of Salvadorans are Roman Catholic. A growing number (around 21%) are Protestant with Evangelical churches gaining influence.

GMT - 6.

Visitors should not point their finger or their foot at anyone. First names should not be used to address someone unless invited to do so. Casual wear is acceptable. Men and women who already know each other greet with a kiss on the cheek, otherwise a handshake is always offered as a greeting. Siesta is still a tradition from around 1200-1400, although most shops and restaurants remain open.

Photography: Sensitive (eg military) areas should not be photographed.

115 volts AC, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs, with or without circular grounding pin.

President Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena since 2009.

President Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena since 2009.

Funes, a former CNN journalist and popular TV host, won a historic victory in the elections of March 2009 when he became El Salvador's first left-wing president as head of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Two months earlier, the party had won a large number of seats in the National Assembly, but not an overall majority. He inherited a country at peace, but politically polarised and with mounting domestic problems, including rising unemployment and organised crime.