El Salvador

República de El Salvador

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National motto: Dios, Unión, Libertad (God, Union, Liberty)
Official language	Spanish
Capital	San Salvador
Capital's coordinates	13° 40' N, 89° 10' W
Largest City	San Salvador
President	Francisco Flores
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 148th 21,040 km² 1.5%
Population  - Total (Year)  - Density	Ranked 97th 6,470,379 307.5/km²
GDP (PPP)  - Total (Year)  - GDP/head	Ranked 84th 29.41 billion $ $4,600
Currency	US dollar ($)
Time zone	UTC -6
Independence	From Spain: September 15,1821 From the Central American Federation: 1842
National anthem	Himno Nacional de El Salvador
Internet TLD	.SV
Calling Code	503

El Salvador is a republic in Central America with a population of approximately 6.2 million people.

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Geography 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Culture 7 Miscellaneous topics 8 International rankings

History

El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1842. 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 treaty that provided for military and political reforms.

Politics

The president is Francisco Guillermo Flores Perez (2003.08.08).

Geography

The most important cities are

• San Salvador Capital City
• Santa Ana
• San Miguel
• Sonsonate

El Salvador's poor Central American economy suffers from a weak tax collection system, factory closings, the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch, and weak world coffee prices. On the bright side, in recent years inflation has fallen to single digit levels, and total exports have grown substantially. The substantial trade deficit has been offset by remittances from the large number of Salvadorans living abroad and from external aid.

Demographics

Culture

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in El Salvador
• Transportation in El Salvador
• Military of El Salvador
• Foreign relations of El Salvador

• world-wide press freedom index Rank 33 out of 139 countries (2 way tie)