El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America with a population of almost seven million in an area of 21,000 square km - just a quarter the size of the island of Ireland. It is bordered by Honduras and Guatemala, and has a Pacific coastline.
Since the signing of peace accords in 1992 to end the internal armed conflict, the country has seen advances in several areas. But despite improvement in a number of socio-economic indicators at a general level, these benefits have not been spread equally across the population. Inequality and social exclusion have grown, particularly among young people and women.
- Full name: El Salvador
- Population: 6,822,378
- Capital: San Salvador
- Major languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)
- Major religions: Roman Catholic 83%, other 17%
- Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 75 years (women)
- Monetary unit: US dollar & Salvadoran colon
- GNI per capita:US $2,450
