El Salvador country facts

Capital of El Salvador

San Salvador

Exchange rate, currency Colon

1 US$ = 8.75 Salvadoran Colons, C (fixed rate).

Administrative divisions

14 departments; Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan.

Population

5.9 millions, growth rate 1.69% (2007 est.). Ethnic groups: Mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%.

Languages

Spanish.

Religions

Roman Catholic 83%.

Climate

Tropical; rainy season from May to October; dry season from November to April; tropical on coast; temperate in uplands .

Geography

21,040 sq. km. Mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau.

National Anthem

Listen to the National Anthem of El Salvador

Public holidays

January 1 - New Years Day.
March/April - Holy Saturday and Good Friday.
May 1 - Labor Day.
June 30 - Bank Holiday.
August - Festival of San Salvador.
September 15 - Independence Day (1821 from Spain).
October 12 - Columbus Day.
November 2 - All the Saints Day.
November 5 - First cry of Independence.
December 25 - Christmas Day.

Newspapers

La Prensa Grafica | El Diario de Hoy | CoLatino | El Faro | El Economista

Natural resources

Hydropower, geothermal power, arable land.

Industries

Food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals.

Agriculture products

Coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum, beef, dairy products, shrimp.

GDP

US$ 33.7 billion, real growth rate 4.2%, per capita US$ 4,900 (2006 est.).

Exports

US$ 3.6 billion (f.o.b., 2006 est.). Offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity.