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El Salvador Population, Official Language And More.
El Salvador’s economy was historically dominated by agriculture, beginning with the indigo plant (añil in Spanish), which was the most important crop during the colonial period. Coffee followed thereafter and accounted for 90 percent of export earnings by early 20th century.
El Salvador
THE POPULATION
El Salvador has a population of approximately 6.5 million people as of 2021. The majority of the population is of Mestizo (mixed European and Indigenous American) descent, with smaller populations of Indigenous Americans, Europeans, and Africans. The country has a high population density, with an average of 313 people per square kilometer.
THE LAND MARK
El Salvador is known for its volcanic landscape, with over 20 volcanoes in the country. The highest peak in El Salvador is Cerro El Pital, which stands at an elevation of 2,730 meters above sea level. The country also has several national parks and protected areas, including the Montecristo Trifinio Biosphere Reserve and the El Imposible National Park.
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The official language of El Salvador is Spanish, which is spoken by nearly all residents. However, there are also several indigenous languages spoken in the country, including Nahuatl, Lenca, and Maya.
THE CULTURE
El Salvador has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its indigenous, Spanish colonial, and modern influences. The country’s music, dance, and art are heavily influenced by indigenous traditions and Spanish colonialism. One of the most popular forms of music in El Salvador is cumbia, a dance-oriented genre that originated in Colombia but became popular throughout Latin America. Other popular musical styles include merengue, salsa, and reggaeton. El Salvador is also known for its traditional handicrafts, including pottery, weaving, and woodcarving.
THE ECONOMIC STABILITY
El Salvador’s economy is heavily dependent on exports, particularly coffee, which accounts for nearly 25% of the country’s total exports. Other important exports include textiles, sugar, and seafood. Despite being one of the smallest countries in Central America, El Salvador has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the region. However, the country has struggled with persistent economic inequality and high levels of poverty. In recent years, El Salvador has also been plagued by high levels of violence and crime.
THE GDP
El Salvador’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $32.49 billion in 2022, according to official data from the World Bank. The GDP per capita in El Salvador was last recorded at $4,276.05 in 2022.
THE CURRENCY
The official currency of El Salvador is the United States dollar. It has been the de facto legal currency of El Salvador since 2001. However, the country also recognizes Bitcoin as a legal tender since September 2021.
THE FOOD
El Salvador’s cuisine is a blend of Spanish and indigenous foods that began its blend during colonial times. The best traditional Salvadoran foods are pupusas, tamales, yuca frita con chicharrón, different types of soups, empanadas, pastelitos, quesadillas, panes con pollo, and desserts. These typical Salvadoran foods have unique flavors that make them popular with locals and foreigners.
MAJOR CITIES
The largest cities in El Salvador by population are:
- San Salvador (capital) – Population: 540,989; Metro: 2,290,000
- Soyapango – Population: N/A
- San Miguel – Population: 218,410
- Santa Tecla – Population: 164,171
- Santa Ana – Population: 280,000
- Mejicanos – Population: 211,878
- San Martin – Population: 144,722
- Nueva San Salvador – Population: N/A
- Apopa – Population: 217,733
- Delgado – Population: 174,825
provides a more comprehensive list of cities in El Salvador.
MAJOR AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS
The main airport serving El Salvador is the El Salvador International Airport (IATA: SAL; ICAO: MSLP), also known as Comalapa International Airport or Cuscatlán International Airport. The airport is located near Comalapa and is about 50 km from the capital city of San Salvador.
El Salvador has several seaports that serve as gateways for international trade and commerce. The most important seaports are Acajutla Port and La Unión Port.
SCHOOLS
El Salvador has several universities and colleges that offer a wide range of academic programs. Some of the major universities in El Salvador include:
- Universidad de El Salvador (UES)
- Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA)
- Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador (UTEC)
- Universidad Francisco Gavidia (UFG)
- Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado (UJMD)
