Country Guide • El Salvador

Flag of Elsalvador

El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered by Guatemala, Honduras and the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes.

Official NameRepublic of El Salvador
Area21,040km² (8,124mile²)
Population6,470,275
ContinentSouth America
Population per mile²796
Capital CitySan Salvador
Religions93% Roman Catholic while other religious minorities include Protestants, Pentecosts and Jews
LanguageSpanish
GovernmentRepublic
CurrencyColÓn; U.S. Dollar
GDP$28.4 billion
GDP per Head$4,600
Natural ResourcesPetroleum and hydro and geothermal power
Land UseArable Land 27%
AgricultureBeans, coffee, corn, sugar, rice, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; shrimps, beef and dairy products
IndustryTextiles, coffee, sugar, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals and cotton
TourismThere are the beaches, most populat along the 'Costa Del Sol'. Buzzy towns and cities including San Salvador the 2nd largest city in South America with all its charm and history
Natural HazardsEarthquakes
Health RisksCholera, hepatitis, malaria, rabies, typhoid
ClimateEl Salvador has a tropical climate that is characterised by warm temperatures during the day and cool nights, with the exception of the coastal plain. There are two distinct seasons, a dry season from November to April with light rainfall and a wet season from May to November when heavy rainfall occurs. Rainfall is heaviest along the coast whilst the interior regions remain relatively dry. Average monthly precipitation during the wet season is 260 mm. Average temperature ranges in San Salvador are from 22°C to 24°C all year
TimeGMT/UTC-6 hours
National DaysSeptember 15
VisasUK passport holders can enter El Salvador as tourists or business visitors for up to 90 days without a visa. This can be extended on application to the Salvadorean immigration department, Centro de Gobierno, San Salvador. US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa but must buy a tourist card upon arrival. The card is valid for 90 days. Citizens of Australia and New Zealand need a visa
British EmbassyEmbassy Details

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