Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
page last updated on January 29, 2013
Flag of El Salvador
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of El Salvador
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of El Salvador
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of El Salvador
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of El Salvador
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Back to Top
Geography ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 21,041 sq km
country comparison to the world: 153
land: 20,721 sq km
water: 320 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
307 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 31.37%
permanent crops: 11.88%
other: 56.75% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
450 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
25.2 cu km (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1.28 cu km/yr (25%/16%/59%)
per capita: 186 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (elev. 2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea
Back to Top
People and Society ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective: Salvadoran
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.
Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6,090,646 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 29.7% (male 929,135/ female 882,159)
15-64 years: 63.7% (male 1,829,483/ female 2,049,977)
65 years and over: 6.6% (male 178,004/ female 221,888) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 24.7 years
male: 23.4 years
female: 26.2 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.303% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17.44 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 64% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.534 million (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
81 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 81
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19.66 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 97
male: 21.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 73.69 years
country comparison to the world: 116
male: 70.41 years
female: 77.12 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.04 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.596 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
improved:
urban: 89% of population
rural: 83% of population
total: 87% of population
unimproved:
urban: 11% of population
rural: 17% of population
total: 13% of population
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
34,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.1% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 115
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 81.1%
male: 82.8%
female: 79.6% (2007 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11.4%
country comparison to the world: 94
male: 13%
female: 8.3% (2007)
Back to Top
Government ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador
conventional short form: El Salvador
local long form: Republica de El Salvador
local short form: El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: San Salvador
geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: all year for 2012
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 December 1983
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Carlos Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Carlos Mauricio FUNES Cartagena (since 1 June 2009); Vice President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 15 March 2009 (next to be held in February 2014)
election results: Mauricio FUNES Cartagena elected president; percent of vote - Mauricio FUNES Cartagena 51.3%, Rodrigo AVILA 48.7%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 March 2012 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 33, FMLN 31, GANA 11, CN 7, PES 1, PCD 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (15 judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly; the 15 judges are assigned to four Supreme Court chambers - constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Tomas CHEVEZ] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU); Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ]; Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Andres ROVIRA]; National Coalition (Concertation Nacional) or CN [Ciro CRUZ ZEPEDA] (formerly the National Conciliation Party or PCN); Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Alfredo CRISTIANI]; Party of Hope or PES [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] (formerly the Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
labor organizations - Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES; Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS; National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS; National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS; Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES; Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC; Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS; Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL; business organizations - National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP; Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC; Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Robert ALTSCHUL Fuentes
chancery: Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671
FAX: [1] (202) 234-3763
consulate(s) general: Brentwood (New York), Boston, Chicago, Coral Gables (Florida), Dallas, Duluth (Georgia), Elizabeth (New Jersey), Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Nogales (Arizona), Santa Ana (California), San Francisco, Woodbridge (Virginia)
consulate(s): Boston, Elizabeth (New Jersey)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450
telephone: [503] 2501-2999
FAX: [503] 2501-2150
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity
note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
turquoise-browed motmot (bird)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)
lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE
note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest
Back to Top
Economy ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the third largest economy in the region. With the global recession in 2009, real GDP contracted by 3.1%. The economy slowed even further during 2010-12. Remittances accounted for 17% of GDP in 2011 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. El Salvador has promoted an open trade and investment environment and has embarked on a wave of privatizations extending to telecom, electricity distribution, banking, and pension funds. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during post-war reconstruction and reconstruction following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005. Taxes levied by the government include a value added tax (VAT) of 13%, income tax of 30%, excise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, and import duties. The VAT accounted for about 51.7% of total tax revenues in 2011. El Salvador's external debt amounts to about one-fourth of GDP. In 2012, El Salvador successfully completed a $461 million compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - a United States Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty in the country's northern region, the primary conflict zone during the civil war, through investments in education, public services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure. In December 2011, the MCC approved El Salvador's eligibility to develop a proposal for a program for consideration.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$45.98 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$45.3 billion (2011 est.)
$44.67 billion (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$23.99 billion (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
1.4% (2011 est.)
1.4% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$7,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
$7,700 (2011 est.)
$7,600 (2010 est.)
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 10.5%
industry: 30%
services: 59.4% (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.593 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 21%
industry: 20%
services: 58% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
7% (2011 est.)
note: data are official rates; but the economy has much underemployment
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.5% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 37% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
46.9 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 31
52.5 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $4.835 billion
expenditures: $5.534 billion (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-2.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
57.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
57.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
note: El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
5.1% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.2% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
5.99% (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.942 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$2.561 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$9.527 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$9.213 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$11.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$10.69 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$5.474 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 84
$4.227 billion (31 December 2010)
$4.432 billion (31 December 2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coffee, sugar, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$1.035 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
-$1.223 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$5.804 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
$5.402 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 45.1%, Guatemala 13.3%, Honduras 8.6%, Nicaragua 5.2%, Germany 4.1% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$10.44 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$9.801 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 39%, Guatemala 9.8%, Mexico 7.7%, China 5.2% (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.623 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$2.504 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$12.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$12.18 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
$8.097 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$12.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$12.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
note: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy, 1 (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.728 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.756 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
101.6 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
215.8 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.501 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
53% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31.4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13,160 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16,750 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
44,040 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,158 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26,860 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.484 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Back to Top
Communications ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.03 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.316 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 86
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system
international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
multiple privately-owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.sv
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24,070 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 113
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
746,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 107
Back to Top
Transportation ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
65 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 77
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 60
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 48 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 283 km
country comparison to the world: 121
narrow gauge: 283 km 0.600-m gauge
note: railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 10,886 km
country comparison to the world: 134
paved: 2,827 km (includes 327 km of expressways)
unpaved: 8,059 km (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
(Rio Lempa is partially navigable for small craft) (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Puerto Cutuco
oil terminals: Acajutla offshore terminal
Back to Top
Military ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Salvadoran Armed Forces (FAES): Salvadoran Army (ES), Salvadoran Navy (FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation - 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,449,214
females age 16-49: 1,611,248 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,079,038
females age 16-49: 1,373,368 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 71,530
female: 68,971 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 156
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::El Salvador
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.