El Salvador

El Salvador is the smallest Central American country it achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839.
A 12-year civil war, which cost the lives of some 75 000 people, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a United Nations-brokered peace agreement that provided for military and political reforms.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Guatemala, Honduras

Official Name:
República de El Salvador
short form: El Salvador
int'l long form: Republic of El Salvador
int'l short form: El Salvador

ISO Country Code: sv

Time:
Time Zone:
Local Time = UTC -6h

Country Calling Code: +503

Capital City: San Salvador (pop. 600 000).

Other Cities:
Santa Ana (pop. 237 000), San Miguel (pop. 222,000), Ahuachapán (pop. 100 000), Soyapango (pop. 222,096), La Union.

Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: on 15 September 1821 (from Spain). Constitution: 20 December 1983.

Geography:
Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean in the south, between Guatemala and Honduras.
Area: 21,476 sq. km. (8,260 sq. mi.).
Terrain: Mountains separate country into three distinct regions--southern coastal belt, central valleys and plateaus, and northern mountains.

Climate: Semitropical, tropical on coast; temperate in uplands, distinct wet and dry seasons.

People:
Nationality: Salvadoran(s).
Population: 6.6 million.
Ethnic Groups: mixed Indian and Spanish 90%, indigenous 1%, Caucasian 9%.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestants
Languages: Spanish.
Literacy: 75-80%

Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land.

Agriculture products: Coffee, sugar, livestock, corn, poultry, and sorghum

Industries: Food and beverage processing, textiles, footwear and clothing, chemical products, petroleum products, electronics.

Exports partners: USA 67.8%, Guatemala 11.5%, Honduras 5.9% (2003)

Imports partners: USA 50%, Guatemala 8.1%, Mexico 5.5% (2003)

Currency: Salvador Colon (SVC) and US Dollar (USD)