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EL SALVADOR
GEOGRAPHY
El Salvador 20,721 sq km (8000 sq miles). is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. The highest are Santa Ana at 2365m (7759ft), San Vicente at 2182m (7159ft) and San Salvador at 1943m (6375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone. San Salvador situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level is the second largest city in Central America.
HISTORY
The Pipil tribe who occupied the region that is now El Salvador put up strong resistance to the 1524 Spanish expedition led by Pedro de Alvarado. By the following year, however, the Spanish had prevailed and established a settlement named San Salvador near the Pipil capital of Cuscatlan. The territory of El Salvador became part of the captaincy-general of Guatemala. When the independence of Guatemala was accepted by the Spanish in 1821, El Salvador accepted its new status, but objected strongly to the Guatemalans' plan to incoporate into the Mexican empire. In 1824, after a brief war and having established its own constitution, El Salvador became one of the United Provinces of Central America (later the Federal Republic of Central America).
TOURIST DESTINATIONS
SAN SALVADOR
Situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, the capital, San Salvador, is the second largest city in Central America, with a population of over 600,000. Founded by the Spaniard Pedro De Alvarado in 1525, the city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centres.
Downtown are the most important public buildings. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio National (national palace), the National Treasury and the Teatro Nacional (national theatre). Among the many beautiful colonial churches to be seen are St Ignatius Loyola (once the shrine of the 'Virgin of Guadeloupe') with a traditional Spanish colonial façade, the Juayua and the Suchitoto. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city. Balboa Park, 11km (7 miles) from the capital, and the 1200m (3900ft) rock formation, the Puerto del Diabolo (devil's doorway), just south of Balboa Park, also give a bird's-eye view of San Salvador.
EXCURSIONS
From San Salvador, excursions can be made by road to Panchimalco, 15km (9 miles) south of the capital, around which live the Pancho Indians (pure-blooded descendants of the original Pipil tribes), who retain many of their old traditions and dress. The village of San Sebastian, approximately one hour by car from San Salvador, is known for its beautiful woven materials. The village is situated near Lake Ilopango, the largest of El Salvador's lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and a popular destination for outdoor and watersports enthusiasts. The mountain village of Ilobasco, northeast of the capital, is renowned for its beauty and its craftwork.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
El Salvador has a number of ancient archaeological sites from the Maya civilization, some dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Mayan village of Joya de Cerén was buried under volcanic ash 1400 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also close to the capital is the San Andrès region, whose fertile soil once housed Mayan settlements and whose architectural jewel, the acropolis, is a highlight.
El Salvador's earliest people lived between 300BC and 1200AD at Chalchuapa in the Tazumal region, 78km (46 miles) from San Salvador. During this period, five important ceremonial centres were built: Pampe, El Trapiche, Las Victorias, Casablanca and the beautiful ruins at Tazumal, which boasts structures over 30m (90 ft) high and a ball court where the Maya practised an unusual sporting rite. Other interesting sites include the pre-Columbian Tehuacán site near San Vicente; the monumental Santa Letìcía sculptures near the town of San Miguel; and the pre-Columbian village of Quelepa, also in San Miguel.
VOLCANOES AND PARKS
There are more than 25 volcanoes in El Salvador, only three of which - the Izalco, San Miguel and Santa Ana (the largest) - are still considered active. The extinct San Salvador volcano is within proximity of the capital. Another extinct volcano, the easily accessible Cerro Verde in the west, is located within the Cerro Verde National Park, also home to the popular and beautiful Lake Coatepeque, which sits on top of a volcanic crater. The nearby Santa Ana volcano, which is still active and last erupted in 1966, is located near the town of Santa Ana, whose cathedral is the most famous in El Salvador. Also within the area is the El Imposible National Park, the country's most important ecological reserve, whose varied vegetation and fauna offers a refuge for numerous bird and wildlife species, including the rare Black Hawk Eagle.
THE COAST
El Salvador has a 320km (200-mile) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. Beaches include Los Cobanos, El Sunzal, La Barra de Santiago, El Cuco and Tamarindo. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. For details on sports and activities that can be pursued on the coast and elsewhere in El Salvador, see the Sport & Activities section.
Note: El Salvador's infrastructure has been badly affected by the earthquake in Jan 2001. Contact government travel warnings for up-to-date information on conditions in the country.
CLIMATE
Hot, subtropical climate affected by altitude. Coastal areas are particularly hot, with a rainy season between May and October. Upland areas have a cooler, temperate climate.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and rainwear during the wet season in coastal areas. Waterproof clothing is advisable all year round. Warm clothing should be taken for higher altitudes.
Note: El Salvador is still recovering from the effects of the January 2001 earthquake. Much of the infrastructure has only been repaired on a provisional basis. Travelers are advised to visit the country with a major tour operator and to keep to the main tourist locations.
CONTACT ADDRESSES
Corporacion Salvadoreña de Turismo (CORSATUR) (Salvadorian Tourism Corporation): Bvd del Hipodromo 508, Col. San Benito, San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 243 7835. Fax: 243 0427.
E-mail: corsatur@salnet.net or mturismo@ejje.com
Web site: http://www.elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv
Promotes El Salvador abroad.
Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo (ISTU): (Salvadorian Institute of Tourism)
619 Calle Rubén Darío, San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 222•8000 or 222•0960. Fax: 222•1208.
Overseas tourism within El Salvador.
British Embassy:
Street address: Edificio Inter-Inversiones, Paseo General Escalõn 4828, San Salvador, El Salvador
Postal address: PO Box 1591, San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 263•6527 or 263•6529. Fax: 263•6516.
E-mail: britemb@sal.gbm.net
Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador:
2308 California St, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 265•9671. Fax: (202) 234•3834.
Consulates also in: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco.
Embassy of the United States of America:
Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlán,
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 278•4444. Fax: 278•6011.
Web site: http://www.usinfo.org.sv
Press: Six daily newspapers are published in San Salvador, including El Diario de Hoy and La Prensa Gráfica. There are several provincial papers.
Country dialing code: 503
Source: World Travel Guide
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