El Salvador's name
still evokes images of the brutal civil war
fought throughout the 1980s in the tangle of
mountains and farmlands that quilt the smallest
country in Central America. The war, however,
is over and the most turbulent aspect of El
Salvador today is thankfully just its volcanic
landscape.
Unlike its neighbors, El Salvador is not geared
to independent travelers. What it does offer
is a whole new experience of watching a country
strive to redefine itself. Organizations from
the US, Europe and Australia are helping to
rebuild El Salvador through programs devoted
to education, agricultural reform, reforestation,
human rights and health care. Participating
in these developments and talking to the locals
about their experiences and hopes is one of
the most productive ways to visit.
Warning
On January 16, 2001 the US Department of State
issued a warning against travel to El Salvador,
due to adverse conditions caused by the massive
earthquake of January 13, the worst tremor in
a decade. A national state of emergency was
immediately declared after the initial quake,
and the most serious of more than 3000 aftershocks
rippled through the region east of San Salvador
on February 13th.
Not all areas of El Salvador have been affected
by the quake, but landslides and collapsed buildings
are rampant in the regions around San Salvador.
Travelers should expect widespread disruption
of communications, transportation and basic
public services, as well as an increased probability
of lawlessness.
Full country name: Republic of El Salvador
Area: 20,752 sq km (8093 sq mi)
Population: 6,122,515 (growth rate 2.3%)
Capital city: San Salvador (pop 1 million)
People: 94% mestizo (Spanish-Indian), 5% Indian,
1% European descent
Language: Spanish, some Nahua
Religion: 75% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant
Government: Republic
President: Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez
GDP: US$17.5 billion
GDP per head: US$3000
Inflation: 2.6%
Major industries: Textiles, coffee, sugar, beverages,
petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles,
furniture, light metals, cotton
Major trading partners: USA, Guatemala, Mexico,
Costa Rica, Germany |
