Introduction :: EL SALVADOR
-
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.
Geography :: EL SALVADOR
-
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Central America and the Caribbean
total: 21,041 sq km
land: 20,721 sq km
water: 320 sq km
country comparison to the world: 153
about the same size as New Jersey
Area comparison map:
total: 590 km
border countries (2): Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km
307 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
agricultural land: 74.7%
arable land 33.1%; permanent crops 10.9%; permanent pasture 30.7%
forest: 13.6%
other: 11.7% (2011 est.)
449.9 sq km (2003)
25.23 cu km (2011)
total: 1.84 cu km/yr (22%/14%/64%)
per capita: 301.9 cu m/yr (2007)
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (elev. 2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
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
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea
People and Society :: EL SALVADOR
-
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective: Salvadoran
mestizo 86.3%, white 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.)
Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.
Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.
6,141,350 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
0-14 years: 27.31% (male 860,122/female 816,855)
15-24 years: 20.71% (male 638,989/female 632,741)
25-54 years: 38.1% (male 1,077,378/female 1,262,585)
55-64 years: 6.8% (male 186,570/female 230,839)
65 years and over: 7.09% (male 192,713/female 242,558) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 54.3%
youth dependency ratio: 41.7%
elderly dependency ratio: 12.6%
potential support ratio: 7.9% (2015 est.)
total: 26.1 years
male: 24.6 years
female: 27.6 years (2015 est.)
0.25% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
16.46 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
-8.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
urban population: 66.7% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.098 million (2015)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.85 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 17.86 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 19.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
total population: 74.42 years
male: 71.14 years
female: 77.86 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
1.91 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
72.3%
note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)
6.9% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 91
1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2012)
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 86.5% of population
total: 93.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 13.5% of population
total: 6.2% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 82.4% of population
rural: 60% of population
total: 75% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17.6% of population
rural: 40% of population
total: 25% of population (2015 est.)
0.53% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
20,900 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
400 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2013)
20.1% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 51
6.6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 78
3.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 129
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88%
male: 90.4%
female: 86% (2015 est.)
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2012)
total number: 179,303
percentage: 4%
note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)
total: 12.4%
male: 12.8%
female: 11.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Government :: EL SALVADOR
-
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form: El Salvador
local long form: Republica de El Salvador
local short form: El Salvador
note: name is an abbreviation of the original Spanish conquistador designation for the area "Provincia de Nuestro Senor Jesus Cristo, el Salvador del Mundo" (Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World), which became simply "El Salvador" (The Savior)
republic
name: San Salvador
geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983; amended many times, last on 12 June 2014 to recognize indigenous communities (2012)
civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president
elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019)
election results: percent of vote - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (FMLN) 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO (ARENA) 39%, Antonio SACA (CN) 11.4%, other 0.7%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.1%, Norman QUIJANO 49.9%
description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 3-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 March 2015 (next to be held in March 2018)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 35, FMLN 31, GANA 11, PCN 6, PDC 1
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (CSJ) (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly; judges elected for a 9-year term, with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years; consecutive re-election is allowed
subordinate courts: Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace
Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto]
Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Douglas AVILES] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU)
Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]
Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Jose Andres ROVIRA Caneles]
National Conciliation Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ]
Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO]
labor organizations:
Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES
Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS
National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS
National Trade Union Federation of Salvadoran Workers or FENASTRAS
National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS
Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES
Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS
Union of Judiciary Workers or SITTOJ
Union of Workers of the Ministry of Treasury or SITRAMI
Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL
business organizations:
American Chamber of Commerce in El Salvador
National Association of Private Enterprise or ANEP
Salvadoran Chamber of Commerce
Salvadoran Chamber of the Construction Industry or CASALCO
Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI
BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Roberto ALTSCHUL Fuentes (since 18 September 2014)
chancery: 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 595-7517
FAX: [1] (202) 232-1928
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New Orleans, New York, Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, Santa Ana (CA), Seattle, Tucson (AZ), Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA)
consulate(s): Costa Mesa (CA), Elizabeth (NJ), Kansas City (MO), Newark (NJ), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), San Diego (CA), St. Louis (MO)
chief of mission: Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE (since 22 September 2010)
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450
telephone: [503] 2501-2999
FAX: [503] 2501-2150
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity
note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, white
name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)
lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE
note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest
Economy :: EL SALVADOR
-
The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2014. Remittances accounted for 17% of GDP in 2014 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during post-war reconstruction and reconstruction following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt has been growing over the last several years, amounting to some 59% of GDP in 2014. External debt was below 30% of GDP in 2014. In September 2014, El Salvador signed a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - a United States Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets. In November 2014 along with his counterparts from Guatemala and Honduras, President SANCHEZ CEREN announced the “Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle.” This plan seeks to address the challenges facing the three Northern Triangle countries, including steps the governments will take to stimulate economic growth, increase transparency and fiscal responsibility, reduce violence, modernize the justice system, improve infrastructure, and promote educational opportunities over the next several years.
$50.94 billion (2014 est.)
$49.95 billion (2013 est.)
$49.12 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 107
$25.33 billion (2014 est.)
2% (2014 est.)
1.7% (2013 est.)
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$8,000 (2014 est.)
$7,900 (2013 est.)
$7,700 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 143
9.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
8.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
8.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
household consumption: 92.8%
government consumption: 12.1%
investment in fixed capital: 15.4%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 26.6%
imports of goods and services: -46.9%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 10%
industry: 25.1%
services: 64.9% (2014 est.)
coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products
food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals
2.2% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
2.752 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
agriculture: 21%
industry: 20%
services: 58% (2011 est.)
5.5% (2014 est.)
6.3% (2013 est.)
note: data are official rates; but underemployment is high
country comparison to the world: 67
36.5% (2010 est.)
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 37% (2009 est.)
46.9 (2007)
52.5 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 27
revenues: $5.098 billion
expenditures: $5.977 billion (2014 est.)
20.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
-3.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
63.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
59% of GDP (2013 est.)
note: El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt
country comparison to the world: 51
calendar year
1.1% (2014 est.)
0.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
6% (31 December 2014 est.)
5.74% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$3.057 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.892 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$11.45 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$10.87 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
$13.07 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$11.86 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$10.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$5.474 billion (31 December 2011)
$4.227 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
-$1.272 billion (2014 est.)
-$1.577 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
$4.521 billion (2014 est.)
$4.334 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures
US 46.5%, Honduras 14.2%, Guatemala 13.4%, Nicaragua 6.4%, Costa Rica 4.6% (2014)
$10.11 billion (2014 est.)
$9.629 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity
US 41%, Guatemala 9.5%, China 7.3%, Mexico 7%, Honduras 5.3% (2014)
$2.773 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.745 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$15.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$14.01 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
$9.124 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$8.873 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
$650.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$650.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
note: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy
Energy :: EL SALVADOR
-
5.992 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
5.412 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
78 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
163 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
1.507 million kW (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
53.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
31.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
15.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
3 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
16,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
16,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
46,210 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
2,425 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
29,020 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
6.375 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Communications :: EL SALVADOR
-
total subscriptions: 950,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
total: 9.2 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 150 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system
international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)
multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station (2007)
AM 52, FM 144, shortwave 0 (2005)
5 (1997)
.sv
total: 1.7 million
percent of population: 27.3% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Transportation :: EL SALVADOR
-
68 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 74
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 63
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m:
51 (2013)
2 (2013)
total: 12.5 km
narrow gauge: 12.5 km 0.914-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 122
total: 6,918 km
paved: 3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways)
unpaved: 3,671 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 148
(Rio Lempa is partially navigable by small craft) (2011)
major seaport(s): Puerto Cutuco
oil terminal(s): Acajutla offshore terminal
Military :: EL SALVADOR
-
Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Slavador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2013)
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation is 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2012)
males age 16-49: 1,449,214
females age 16-49: 1,611,248 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 1,079,038
females age 16-49: 1,373,368 (2010 est.)
male: 71,530
female: 68,971 (2010 est.)
0.99% of GDP (2012)
1.11% of GDP (2011)
0.99% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 101
Transnational Issues :: EL SALVADOR
-
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine
Central Intelligence Agency
