El Salvador

National name:
República de El Salvador

Government
Republic.

Geography
Situated on the Pacific coast of Central America, El Salvador has Guatemala to the west and Honduras to the north and east. Most of the country is on a fertile volcanic plateau about 607 m high.

Historical Background
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.

Facts & Figures

Name

El Salvador

Capital 

San Salvador

Government

Presidential republic

Language

Spanish

National Holiday

September 15 - Independence Day

Race/Ethnicity

Mestizo 85%, White/Caucasian 12%, Native American (Maya, Pipil, Lenca) 1%

Religion

52.6%  Catholic, 27.9% Protestant.

Area

21,040 km2, 8,124 sq mi

Population

6,134,000 (99th)

Currency

U.S. dollar

National Day

September 15