FACTS ABOUT EL SALVADOR

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT EL SALVADOR

1.                 El Salvador is officially known as the “Republic of El Salvador”

2.                 San Salvador is the capital city of El Salvador.

3.                 The total population of El Salvador is 6,156,670.

4.                 The natives of El Salvador are called Salvadorans.

5.                 The USD (US Dollar) is official currency of El Salvador.

6.                 El Salvador shares a border with Guatemala and Honduras.

7.                 El Salvador has a literacy rate of 88%.

8.                 El Salvador became independent from Spain on 15^th September, 1821.

9.                 El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America.

10.            “The torogoz” is the national bird of El Salvador.

11.            The official language is Spanish.

12.            The indigo plant was the most important crop during the colonial period.

13.            Chronic political and economic instability plagued the nation between the late 19th century and mid 20^th century.

14.            The biggest earthquake in the country was experienced on January 13, 2001. It was measured at 7.6 on the Richter scale.

15.            Salvadorans are also called Guanacos.

16.            Monumento al Divino Salvador Del Mundo is one of the most famous landmarks in El Salvador.

17.            Cerro El Pital is the highest point in the country, with a height of 8,957 ft.

18.            “El Himno Nacional de El Salvadori” is the national anthem of El Salvador.

19.            El Salvador has only two seasons, unlike other countries that have four. The wet season runs from May to October, and the dry season runs from November to April.

20.            Education up to ninth grade is free in the country.

21.            If we compare areas, it is smaller than the state of Massachusetts.

22.            The country does not have people of African descent.

23.            The country has never won an Olympic medal.

24.            It is also the only country in Central America not to have a Caribbean coastline.

25.            Santa Ana Volcano is the highest volcano in El Salvador. It towers 7,760 feet above sea level.

26.            The only commercially navigable — and the most important river — in El Salvador is the river “Rio Lempa.” Its river basin hosts the capital city of the country – San Salvador.

27.            El Salvador’s Barra de Santiago is a beautiful beach where you can find endangered species like the marine turtle and red macaw.

28.            El Salvador is the only Latin American country that has troops in Iraq.

29.            Interestingly, there is a beach in the country called “Water”, a city called “Society”, a river called “Big River”, along with some islands called “islands”.

30.            The country is also among the list of countries with the highest murder rate.

31.            El Salvador is also known for the production of Anil, the plant producing the prized blue dye known as indigo. The extraction of the dye is done by pressing the plant with bare feet. (Please note that Anil is the Spanish word for indigo)

32.            The country suffers from high rates of crime, poverty, and inequality.

33.            The name of the country translates to “the Savior” in Spanish.

34.            It gets half as many visitors annually as Costa Rica.

35.            The country is also becoming a hub for eco-tourism.

36.            The country is one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world. Many surfing competitions are hosted there every year.

37.            National Park Cerro Verde in El Salvador is the home to 500 different species of birds and a rare species of black hawk-eagle. In the 505-hectare area of the national park, you can explore three volcanoes.

38.            There are a total of five national parks in the country. Their names are Montecristo, El Boqueron, Conchagua, El Impossible and Cerro Verde.

39.            The majority of El Salvador’s poor population lives in the countryside. These people face challenges related to the availability of running water and electricity in their homes. However, the wealthy people of the country live in apartments and houses.

40.            Rural people are prone to malnutrition, which is also a leading cause of death among the poor in the country.

41.            Sadly, the country has the lowest birth rate and the highest death rate in all of Central America.

42.            The country’s minimum wage is US $100-250 a month.

43.            The white colored stripes on the country’s flag symbolize peace, and the Blue stripes symbolize unity. The country officially adopted its flag in 1910.

44.            The United States houses approximately three million Salvadorans. These people live in the U.S. for work and send money back home to support their families.

45.            Coffee exports accounted for 90% of the country’s earnings by the early 20th century. However, the country has diversified its income sources by establishing a manufacturing sector in its territory, and building trade and financial links with other countries.

46.            El Salvador is the third-largest economy in Central America, only outranked by Costa Rica and Panama.

47.            The parents of Tennis Hall of Famer Rosie Casals emigrated from El Salvador to the United States.

48.            American supermodel Christy Turlington also has roots in El Salvador.

49.            Pope John Paul II also visited the country many a time prior to his illness.

50.            The civil war in the country took place from 1980 to 1992. During the period, almost 75,000 lives were lost. Economic inequality was the reason for the war.

51.            San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, has the biggest shopping center in all of Central America. It is also famous for its many museums and cultural sites.

52.            The country also houses the largest airport in all of Central America.

53.            Salvadoran countrymen were involved in an infamous “100 Hour War” with neighboring Honduras in 1969, after a soccer game.

54.            It is estimated that Qatar’s 2022 World Cup will take more lives than 9/11 due to horrible working conditions for migrant workers building stadiums and infrastructure.

55.            El Salvador is also known as “the land of Volcanoes.” It has more than 20 volcanoes, and the Chaparrastique is considered to be the most active volcano in the region. It has erupted 26 times in the last 500 years.

56.            The only UNESCO World Heritage Site in El Salvador is Joya de Cerén. The remains of a pre-hispanic farming village that was covered by a volcanic eruption in the seventh century AD can be found on the site. It is also called the “Pompeii of the Americas.”

57.            The film Salvador was also released on the subject of the 12-year civil war. Interestingly, the movie was also nominated for Oscars.

58.            The people of El Salvador are friendly, warm and hospitable.

59.            It is a tradition in El Salvador for women to often pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder instead of shaking hands.

60.            The use of first names is usually reserved for family and friends.

61.            El Salvador’s most notable dish is the “Pupusa,” a thick handmade corn flour or rice flour tortilla.

62.            Tortillas, rice, and beans are the main foods in El Salvador.

63.            Salvadorans like to receive perfumes as gifts.

64.            Food is always eaten with utensils. Yeah, they use forks for eating fruits, too!

65.            Salvadorans have a strong sense of personal pride, honor, and dignity.

66.            El Salvador Exports: offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity and iron and steel manufactures.

67.            El Salvador Imports: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum and electricity.

68.            The internet country code for El Salvador is .sv