Guide Note

El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. Honduras, Guatemala and the Pacific Ocean border this country. This country has had its share of natural disasters from hurricanes,volcanoes and earthquakes; in 2001 over 12,000 people died in an earthquake there.

Fast Facts

1. Capital: San Salvador
2. Government: Presidential Republic
3. Population: Approx. 5,800,000
4. Currency: United States dollar
5. Calling Code: +503
6. Official Language: Spanish
7. Independence from Spain in 1821
8. Independence from Federal Republic of Central America in 1842

El Savador is run as a presidential representative democratic republic. The President is the head of government and the head of state. The government is run with an Executive branch, a Legislative branch and a Judiciary branch which is independent to the other branches.

El Savador is located in Central America and shares a border with Guatemala and Honduras. It does not have a Caribbean Coastline, making it the only country in Central America which does not have that feature.

Because of it proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire, El Salvador is victim to frequent volcanic and earthquake activities. The country also is subject to droughts and heavy rain,which in turn has led to massive landslides in the country, which it has famously had to endure, at great cost of life.