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|  | EL SALVADOR COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | El Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered by Guatemala, Honduras and the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. Situated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, San Salvador, which is the second largest city in Central America, is the capital. The city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centres. Standing within short distances of each other are the Cathedral, the National Palace, the National Treasury and the National Theatre. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city. Trips to a number of interesting archaeological sites from the Maya civilisation can also be organised. El Salvador has a 320km (200-mile) Pacific Coast with resort hotels, unspoiled beaches, fishing villages and pine views. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. The food market in San Salvador is one of the largest in Latin America and its stalls sell all manner of produce. Restaurants serve a variety of international cuisines including Mexican, French and Chinese. San Salvador has a few nightclubs and cocktail lounges with dinner and dancing, some of which require membership. Cinemas (some showing English films with subtitles) are very popular. El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. GDP per capita is roughly half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and the distribution of income is highly unequal. The government is striving to open new export markets, encourage foreign investment, modernize the tax and healthcare systems, and stimulate the sluggish economy. Implementation of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement, ratified by El Salvador in 2004, is viewed as a key policy to help achieve these objectives. The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances from Salvadorans living abroad - 16% of GDP in 2004 - and external aid. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency, El Salvador has lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Note
El Salvador's infrastructure has been badly affected by the earthquake in Jan 2001. Consult government travel warnings for up-to-date information on conditions in the country.
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. The most important public buildings are downtown. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio Nacional (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 Puerta del Diablo (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 is 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 civilisation, some dating back to the third 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 Andrés region, where fertile soil once housed Mayan settlements and where the architectural jewel, the acropolis, is a highlight. El Salvador's earliest people lived between 300BC and AD1200 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 & 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 close 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, where 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 Cóbanos, El Sunzal, La Barra de Santiago, El Cuco and El Tamarindo. The best resorts tend to be found along the Costa del Sol, easily accessible via a modern highway. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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