Introduction
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.
Location
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Geographic coordinates
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Area
total: 21,040 sq km
water: 320 sq km
land: 20,720 sq km
Land boundaries
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 200 NM
Climate
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
Irrigated land
360 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Population
6,587,541 (July 2004 est.)