El Salvador

November 5, 1821 (Monday) – El Salvador declares independence from Spain

June 1, 1841 (Tuesday) – Proclamation of the Republic of El Salvador

March 12, 1873 (Wednesday) – El Salvador signs the Central American Union Treaty

January 10, 1932 (Tuesday) – The 1932 Salvadoran peasant massacre under President Maximiliano Hernández Martínez

March 24, 1980 (Monday) – Assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero during Mass

October 10, 1986 (Friday) – Magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes, leading to significant damage and loss of life

January 13, 2001 (Saturday) – Magnitude 7.7 earthquake (coastal region), followed by several aftershocks

March 11, 2016 (Friday) – Heavy flooding due to tropical depression; 12 people killed, significant infrastructure damage

August 3, 2017 (Thursday) – Volcano Izalco eruption causes evacuation of nearby areas

November 29, 2019 (Friday) – San Miguel Volcano eruption displaces 1,500 people

November 12, 2020 (Thursday) – Hurricane Eta causes severe flooding in the eastern part of the country

March 30, 2022 (Wednesday) – Tropical Storm Amanda kills over 20 people, damages over 1,000 homes

February 2023 (Tuesday) – El Niño-related heatwaves impact agriculture, especially coffee crops

March 2024 (Friday) – Magnitude 6.9 earthquake shakes San Salvador and surrounding areas; no fatalities reported but significant property damage

Continent: North America (Central America)
Location: In Central America, bordered by Honduras (east), Guatemala (west), and the Pacific Ocean (south)
Capital: San Salvador
Language: Spanish (official)
Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Population: ~6.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6)

Borders: Honduras (east), Guatemala (west), Pacific Ocean (south)
Landscape: Coastal plains, volcanoes, mountain ranges, tropical rainforests, and lakes
Major Rivers: Lempa River, Coco River, San Miguel River, Ahuachapan River
Major Mountains: Cerro El Pital, San Vicente Volcano, Ilamatepeq, Conchagua
Deserts: None
Lakes: Lake Cocibolca (shared with Nicaragua), Lake Xolotlan
Volcanoes: San Salvador Volcano, Izalco Volcano, San Vicente Volcano, Tecapa Volcano
Highest Point: Cerro El Pital – 2,730 m (8,957 ft)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (sea level)
Climate: Tropical wet and dry; savanna climate in lowlands; temperate in the highlands
Geological Features: Located on the Ring of Fire; prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (~86%), White (~12%), Indigenous (~1%), Afro-descendants (~1%)
Religion: Roman Catholic (~50%), Evangelical Protestant (~35%)
Urban Population: ~74% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Rapid urbanization; major cities: San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel

Famous For: Surfing beaches, historic Mayan ruins, vibrant festivals
Cuisine: Pupusas, Tamales, Yuca frita, Enchiladas
Arts: Traditional music (marimba), contemporary art, handcrafts (woven baskets)
Sports: Football (soccer), surfing, basketball

Economy Type: Lower-middle-income; based on agriculture, remittances, and services
GDP: Approx. $30.5 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Textiles, coffee, agriculture, petroleum refining, electronics
Key Exports: Coffee, sugar, textiles, petroleum, textiles
Unemployment Rate: ~6.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Urbanized capital region (San Salvador), coffee-growing highlands, coastal plains

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State & Government: President Nayib Bukele (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Legislative Assembly (unicameral)
Constitution: In effect since 1983 (latest reforms in 2021)

San Salvador: National Palace, El Boquerón National Park
Santa Ana: Coatepeque Lake, Mayan ruins of Tazumal
Jiquilisco Bay: Biosphere reserve, mangroves, bird watching
Ruta de Las Flores: Coffee route, waterfalls, hiking trails
La Libertad: Pacific coast beaches, surfing
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: San Andrés Archaeological Site, Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site