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Located in the heart of Central America,
bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras El
Salvador is the smallest and the most densely
populated of these countries (Population: 6,122,515 (July 2000
est.) El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the
Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost the
lives of some 75,000 people, was brought to a close in 1992 when the
government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military
and political reforms.
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.
A land of agriculture, the rich
volcanic soil on the slopes of over 25
dormant volcanoes attracted the largest farms and, through time, the major
population centers in the country established on these slopes. The soil of
El Salvador is not a quiet one : on January 13, the worst tremor in a
decade took place. 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 were affected by the quake, but
landslides and collapsed buildings were rampant in the regions around San
Salvador.
The lowlands and
middle highlands are planted with coffee, which is the main
crop, supplemented by cereal grains, cotton and sugar cane. El Salvador is
also the world's primary source of balsam which is used for perfumes and
medicine. El Salvador is an important part of the ancient Mayan world:
impressive step pyramid ruins at Tazumal and San Andres testify to the
once large and sophisticated Mayan civilization. Precolumbian culture in
El Salvador has left many archeeological sites, the most important
being: Tazumal, the pyramids of Campana San Andres, the ball of Cihuatan,
the Ruins of Quelepa and Cara Sucia, and Joya de Ceren, a well preserved
Maya site with dwellings buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash clutter
Together with Guatemala, Honduras, México and Belize, El Salvador is part
of the "Mayan World Route", a tourist itinerary that takes the visitor to
the most important vestiges of Meso-american history
For many people the name El Salvador is
still synonymous with a 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.
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