All about car tuning

El Salvador. El Salvador Prices in El Salvador

El Salvador ( El Salvador) is a small country right in the heart of Central America, bordered to the west by Guatemala and to the north and east by Honduras. For tourists, this country is exotic and few people visit it purposefully. There are reasons for this: wars, external and internal, that lasted throughout the second half of the 19th century and a poorly developed tourist infrastructure.

How to get to El Salvador

San Salvador Airport (the capital of El Salvador) is a major hub for flights from North America to South America and back, so you can get to El Salvador by plane. Salvador International Airport is located just 40 km from San Salvador, which can be reached from the airport by taxi (about 10-15 USD) or by regular bus (1-2 USD). If you enter El Salvador by air, you will have to pay 10 USD for a stamp that is placed on your passport at the airport.

If you are entering by land from a neighboring country by bus or car, then nothing is put in the passport at all. International buses like Tica-Bus and others travel from neighboring countries. You can also travel by local buses; you take one to the border, cross the border on foot, and then get on a local bus from another country and continue on. When crossing the border on international buses, passport control is usually carried out in an organized manner.

Visa to El Salvador

Russian citizens do not need a visa when entering El Salvador for up to 90 days. When crossing the border by air, a stamp is placed in the passport for 10 USD. The only requirement: the passport must be valid for another 6 months at the time of entry.

Money in El Salvador

The official currency of El Salvador is the United States dollar (USD). Payment is made by them everywhere, which is probably why El Salvador is a little more expensive than its neighbors Guatemala and Honduras, where the local currency is used. There are real problems with ATMs (here they are called ATMs), they are only in large cities and some do not accept MasterCard, but Visa is accepted everywhere. Paying for something with a card is also problematic, it must be either a cool star hotel or a tourist restaurant, but cash is everywhere (effectivo).

Transport in El Salvador

Internal transport presented by bus(flying by plane is very expensive). There are buses: local (chicken buses) - old school buses or tourist shuttles - modern, high-speed buses with air conditioning and other amenities (they usually transit through the entire country).

All internal moves are carried out chicken bass, you can get to any hole, village, city, with them. Usually they stop on demand anywhere and pick up passengers. There is a sticker on the windshield where he is going. The fare costs a penny (usually less than 1 USD, pay the driver), but that’s where their advantages end: they are small, uncomfortable, overcrowded, travel very slowly and often break down. Therefore, plan your routes more seriously, because... The moving speed of chicken bass is usually less than 40 km/h.

The same chickens drive in the cities and there are also something like minibuses, the routes around the cities are very confusing, buses go everywhere. Traveling around the city costs less than 0.5 USD.

Can be used in cities Taxi- this is much more effective, because taxis are quite cheap (3-5 USD per trip around the city) and much faster.

High-speed shuttles They are much more expensive (tens of USD), but they provide the whole range of comfort.

Cities and interesting places

Prices in El Salvador

Prices are more expensive than in neighboring countries, and the service is worse. You can eat, if it’s inexpensive, then it’s 6-10 USD per dish + drink in a cool cafe. Hotels are also expensive: there are simply no doubles for 20 USD, prices start at 35 USD for a poor double with a barely working air conditioner. Things are better in San Salvador, but in some local remote villages this is a real problem. It’s realistic to spend 50-60 USD per day without visiting places of interest and without moving.

Safety in El Salvador

In large cities: San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Miguel, it is really dangerous on the streets even during the day. There are neighborhoods where you can get robbed. I'm not even talking about roaming the streets in the evening or at night. The country is overpopulated, there is a lot of unemployment and a lot of poor people; large cities are full of beggars, homeless people and simply criminal elements. In small towns and villages the situation is much better and the people there are kinder; some villages can be said to be safe there.

The famous Mara Salvatrucha gang was born here in El Salvador ( Mara Salvatrucha) (MS13) and many of its members are in prison near Santa Ana. For those who don't know, read

All this together provides fertile ground for rampant crime and robberies of tourists.

It is worth following some rules, then possible troubles can be avoided:

  • Avoid the crowd
  • Take with you only the necessary amount of money
  • Keep things in sight (carry a backpack in front, a bag too)
  • Don't dress flashy
  • Ride a taxi
  • Do not go out in the dark (after 18.00) and it is undesirable on Sunday (few people on the streets)
  • Do not flash your photo or video equipment or your wallet, take photos quickly, then put the camera in your backpack

In 1524, the first Spanish settlers arrived in what is now El Salvador and founded their settlements a few years later. The country remained in power for almost 3 centuries, and gained independence on September 15, 1821. El Salvador, like most of its neighbors, has gone through many difficult times over the years. The last exceptionally difficult period was the civil war, which lasted for many years. Since 1992, however, El Salvador has embarked on a path of economic reform that promises a better future for the country.

Geographical location, borders and dimensions of El Salvador. El Salvador is the smallest country in the continental continent, covering an area of ​​21,040 sq. km. It is located on the Pacific Ocean, and to the southeast is the vast Gulf of Fonseca. El Salvador borders Guatemala and Honduras. The capital of the country is located at 13.41° north latitude and 89.11° west longitude. El Salvador is the only country in North America that does not have access to the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean.

Climate of El Salvador. El Salvador falls into . The weather is hot all year round with temperatures between 27 and 31°C. There are two seasons – dry and rainy. The rainy season lasts from April to November. Wet weather combined with typical summer season
higher temperatures. In this part of the year the rains are quite intense and often torrential. Rainfall in the capital San Salvador can reach or even exceed 350 mm per month, especially during the wettest months of June and September. During the winter months the weather is drier, sunny and pleasant.

Waters of El Salvador. El Salvador has significant water resources. Many high-water but rather short rivers flow through the country. Their number is almost 300! The largest river in El Salvador is the Lempa. It forms a beautiful and vibrant estuary where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. There are many lakes in the mountain in the interior of the country. The largest lakes are Guija, located on the border with Guatemala, and Lake Ilopanga, located near the capital of the country, San Salvador. Even larger is the artificial lake Quiron Grande.

Relief in El Salvador. The relief of El Salvador is extremely diverse. Most of the country is occupied by a vast volcanic plateau. In the central part of El Salvador there is a plain that occupies about ¼ of the entire area of ​​the country. Two medium-high mountain ranges pass through El Salvador. One of them follows the Pacific coast, and the other is located in the extreme northern regions of the country. She's taller. There is the highest point in the country - the peak of Monte Cristo, 2418 m in height. Because El Salvador falls within a young mountain range, it experiences high seismic activity and volcanic activity. The coastline is very poorly dissected. The largest bay is Bahia de la Union, which is part of the Gulf of Fonseca.

Population of El Salvador. El Salvador has a population of about 6.8 million. This fact makes the country the most populous in continental North America. Most of the population lives in the plains in the central part of the country. There is the capital San Salvador, which is also the largest city in the country. A city of about 540,000 inhabitants, the center of a city of 2.3 million
agglomeration. The inhabitants of El Salvador are predominantly Christian Catholics. From the point of view of ethnic origin, mestizos predominate, which were formed by mixing local Indian tribes with Europeans who came to these places. The official language in the country is Spanish, although English is much more popular and is also widely spoken.

Economy of El Salvador. Similar to many of its neighbors, El Salvador is a developing country with a low standard of living. The main industries in the local economy are agriculture. Sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, coffee, cocoa and other tropical crops are grown and are also major export products. A characteristic feature of El Salvador is the huge contrast between rich and poor. Most of the local population lives in poverty without access to quality education and medical care. At the same time, one very small part of the local population controls almost the entire economy of the country. After years of dictatorship and civil war, in the early 90s El Salvador set out on the path of economic reforms leading to a better and brighter future. One of the big changes El Salvador is going through is the change of national currency. In 2004, the official currency until then, the Salvadoran colon, was replaced by the American dollar. El Salvador is a member of the Central American Common Market, whose goal is to create a community with a common foreign economic policy.

Tourism in El Salvador

The irony is that El Salvador is located in one of the most lush and green parts of our planet, and forests make up only about 5-6% of the entire country. The local nature is not so lush compared to that in other small Central American states, especially compared to the background that is also found in this part of the world. In reality this was not always the case. Once upon a time, the entire territory of El Salvador was covered with dense and difficult to navigate rain forests. Due to the rapidly expanding population, however, the need for cultivable land began to increase. Gradually, agricultural areas increased, and the tropical jungle began to disappear more and more. Nowadays, forests remain mainly in mountain ranges, and this is because mountainous areas are not very suitable for agriculture. This makes the highlands of El Salvador very picturesque, especially in areas where there are rivers and lakes.

Despite the decrease in area, some amazing wildlife can be found in El Salvador's forested areas. One of the most interesting species is the jaguar. This spotted cat has a rather mysterious and enigmatic lifestyle. She spends her days hidden in
dense greenery, and in the evening goes out to hunt. The forests of El Salvador are home to another fearful predator, which, however, unlike the jaguar, lives in the crowns of trees. This is a harpy. With a body length of more than a meter and a wingspan of about two meters, this bird of prey is the largest and most dangerous bird of prey in the world. Unlike many other birds of prey, which prefer to fill their daily menu with small rodents and small mammals, the harpy hunts larger prey. Her menu quite often includes medium-sized monkeys and sloths. This is one of the few birds that could dare to attack a person if they feel in danger, or if they feel that their little ones are in danger. In the rainforests of El Salvador, predators are everywhere. In addition to the dense greenery and tall crowns of trees, predators of this small Central American country are also found in water basins. Crocodiles hide under the surface of local high-water rivers. This makes El Salvador's rivers not particularly suitable for swimming.

Although El Salvador is not a popular tourist destination, the country has beautiful beaches covered in golden and brownish sand and colored by palm trees. Thanks to warm currents, the ocean waters here are warm all year round. Despite its large beach strip, the country has a small number of resorts. Some of the most beautiful places in the country are the mouth of the Lempa River and the nearby Bay of Jaquilisco.

National cuisine in El Salvador. Similar to the national cuisines of other Central American countries, the culinary richness of El Salvador was formed by merging the culinary traditions of the local indigenous people with those of the visiting Spaniards. Typical example Salvadoran dish is a small bread called corn tortilla. Among the local population they are known as “pupusas”. Corn tortilla reflects a combination of European and local Indian cuisine. Most often they are prepared with cheese filling, but other combinations are possible, such as meat. One of the most commonly found products on the menu is corn. She uses one method or the other in many dishes. Many local dishes are quite spicy and garlic is often used as a seasoning. Most of the dishes are fried. This is the most popular method of processing chicken and pork meat, when soup is most often prepared from veal. In addition to a large variety of baked and fried meats or meat soups, the people of El Salvador also consume a lot of vegetables. Tomatoes are among the most popular, but cabbage takes the lead. It is from cabbage that the notorious Salvadoran “curtido” salad is made. To get this salad, you need to store the cabbage in a suitable container until a slight fermentation occurs. This curtido is offered very often as a side dish to the main course.

What is the best time to visit El Salvador? If you are planning to travel to El Salvador, it is better to choose the winter months, approximately between November and April. Then you can experience warm, sunny and fairly dry weather without feeling the worst of summer heat and too much humidity.

Which part of El Salvador to visit? The best place for tourism in El Salvador is the coast of the Sonsonate department, located in the western part of the country, on the Pacific Ocean. This is one of the richest provinces in El Salvador. Along the shores of Sonsonate you will find a variety of accommodation options in an exotic Latin American setting. Do not miss to visit also the Latin American Pompeii - the city of Hoya de Serena, near the capital San Salvador, in the northwest of the city. Here you will find an extremely interesting historical settlement from Mayan times, which has been preserved very well under a layer of volcanic ash. This is where the comparison with Pompey comes from. This historical village is under the protection of UNESCO.

What clothes to wear for tourism in El Salvador? El Salvador is a poor country, so if you decide to go and see freely, forget about expensive clothes that catch your eye. It is better to choose more unpretentious clothes. They must be lightweight and resistant to high temperatures and high humidity.

Health. It is best to consult your doctor before traveling to El Salvador. He will tell you about the necessary immunizations that you need to do before traveling. It is also good to know that due to the hot and humid climate in some areas of El Salvador, there is a risk of contracting malaria. The disease is transmitted by mosquito bites, but there are medications that can largely protect you.

Attention! El Salvador is an exotic but dangerous country. The crime rate is quite high, which makes El Salvador one of the riskiest countries in America. The murder rate is among the highest in the world, which is quite alarming. There are many places that are best avoided, especially in larger population centers. If possible, avoid moving around yourself. Always prefer to travel in a group. Don't carry expensive things with you when walking on the streets.

There are no problems with the Internet in El Salvador - in any more or less large city there is an Internet cafe; There are especially many of them near universities and colleges, as well as near shopping malls. The connection speed there is quite acceptable, the pleasure costs from 1 to 2 USD per hour. Of course, wi-fi can be found in almost any hotel.

Local cellular operators - CTE Telecom Personal, DIGICEL, Telefonica Moviles El Salvador, Telemovil and others. As a rule, holders of Russian SIM cards have access to reliable roaming, which, however, can be expensive. But in neighboring countries our SIM cards may not work at all, but here they work! Along the coast, the Pan-American Highway and in cities the signal is reliable; in the mountains there may be interruptions.

A significant portion of the population still uses wired telephones. There are many telephone offices in the country, they are called Telecom and are located literally everywhere, working throughout the day. From these branches, Salvadorans also make international calls, and from here you can call Russia (approximately it will cost 6-10 USD per minute, not cheap at all, so I am for Skype and social networks on long trips).


The international code of El Salvador is 503. The international dialing code is 00. Of course, there are no intercity codes here, since the country is microscopic.

An important point: the electrical outlets here are the same as in the USA, that is, not like ours, but with two narrow slots. When going on a big American trip, be sure to buy a universal adapter in Russia. It’s not so easy to find it here, but the adapter will still come in handy - most often it is designed for all types of sockets that exist on our planet, and therefore will help you out more than once. It is inexpensive - 250-500 rubles, and does not take up much space.

Language and communication

In El Salvador, as in neighboring countries, the official language is Spanish. However, if you studied the classical, Castilian version of it, then be prepared for some language shock, which will pass in a few days. They speak quickly and with a specific accent (each country has its own), but if you listen, it turns out that for the Russian ear the local version of Spanish is even simpler, for example, there are fewer “lisping” consonants.

In my opinion, the English language south of the USA is completely useless. What can we talk about if even the Mexican border guard, less than half a kilometer from which the American San Diego is located, even speaks the great and mighty international language with difficulty? Practice shows that locals don’t bother learning English either. Only young people in large cities know it well, as well as service workers in popular tourist places. Another category of citizens with whom you can communicate in English are locals who went to work in the USA and spent several years there. There are quite a few of these among truck drivers.


In general, relax, learn Spanish and have fun with it. It is an amazing, easy and beautiful language. In a couple of months, I learned it from scratch to a level at which I can maintain a normal conversation - and this without any books, just by rotating in the language environment and communicating with locals every day.

You'll especially enjoy learning sweary Spanish. Oh, how wildly the imagination of the people manifested itself here! For example, when someone is sent in a well-known and not very censored direction, they literally say: “buy yourself a forest and get lost in it!” Why does “de puta madre” mean “extremely good”? Try to figure it out!

Start small:

  • Hola! (olA) - hello!
  • Buenos dias (buenas tardes, buenas noches) - good morning, afternoon, evening.
  • Gracias, muchas gracias (grasias, muchas gracias) - thank you, thank you very much.
  • Mucho gusto (mucho gusto) - very nice.
  • Por favor (por favor) - please.
  • Sin pagar (gratis) (sin pagar, gratis) - free.
  • Quanto questa? (cuAnto cuEsta?) - how much does it cost?
  • Donde esta (como puedo llegar a...) - (dondesta, como puedo yegar a...) - where, how to get to...?
  • Necesito (necesito) - need...
  • ayuda (ayYuda) - help.
  • Cuidado! (quidado!) - be careful!
  • oficina de migracion (office INA de migrasOn) - literally “migration office”, border point.
  • el autobus (el autobus) - bus.
  • el carro (el coche) - (el carro, el coche) - car. In Latin America the first option is used, in Spain the second.
  • carretera (carretera) - road.
  • comer, la comida (comer, la comIda) - eat, food.
  • bueno (bueno) - good.
  • mal (mal) - bad.
  • perfecto (perfect) - excellent.
  • alojamiento (alokhamEnto) - placement. You can just say “un otEl”, they will understand you.
  • uno, dos, tres (uno, dos, tres) - one, two, three.
  • muy (muy) - very.
  • caro (karo) - dear.
  • barato (barAto) - cheap.
  • soy ruso (rusa) - (soy ruso) - I am Russian (Russian).
  • soy salvadoreño (soy Salvador Enyo) - I am Salvadoran.

Features of mentality

It just so happened that I went to Latin America practically from Africa, and in absentia this part of the world seemed to me less friendly than the Dark Continent. I was wrong, but people here are, of course, completely different.

No, of course, people will turn around after you, especially in small settlements, and in Indian villages children are just as curious as in African ones. Instead of "mzungu" you will hear everywhere "gringo, gringo" - this is a slightly ironic nickname for whites, mainly, of course, Americans. "But soy gringa, soy rusa!" - I always answered, which made those around me extremely happy.


What I liked here is that, in a good way, no one cares about you. I love to travel light and improvise; I always have a tent and a sleeping bag in my backpack, and often night finds me in some place where there is no roof over my head. In this case, it’s as easy as shelling pears to get up for the night behind some grove. In Africa you have to get up before dawn if you don't want too much attention, because otherwise the whole village will be watching you. There is no such thing here. Whether within the city limits, even in a park, even near the road, put up your tent - no one will even look, although it would seem.

At the same time, the people are surprisingly friendly. Everyone wants to help if you have lost your way, everyone is happy to treat you with various goodies, invite you to visit, and hug you goodbye. I can’t count how many warm letters I still receive from Latin America, including from El Salvador! All of them are accompanied by long wishes of all the best to the whole family up to the seventh generation and are generously flavored with “tight hugs” and “friendly kisses.”


Smartphones and social networks, of course, occupy an important part of life here, but local children and teenagers have a childhood: they play football, they are active on the street, and do not scroll through the feed on the screen. In the evening, leisure activities generally move outside. The windows on the first floors are wide open: you can see what the hostess is cooking in the kitchen, you can see an old grandfather sitting next to the TV with a pipe. You stop to pet a kitten sitting on the windowsill, when the curly head of a teenage girl immediately pokes out of the window: “You like a cat, right? Come visit us!” And the head of the family slowly rocks in a rocking chair, which stands exactly on the threshold of the house. Thus, half of his body is facing his family and inhales the divine smells coming from the kitchen, and half is actively communicating with his neighbors. This is El Salvador, this is almost all of Latin America, but, of course, not in the capitals, but in more provincial and calm areas.

People are very religious (Catholicism predominates here, as you know), and they respect traditions very much. You should have seen with what scope and family style Christmas, for example, is celebrated! And in general, family means a lot.

Alas, there are also plenty of negative aspects, although this has little to do with the mentality of the average resident. Many people have heard about the criminal situation, and El Salvador has a bad reputation as one of the most dangerous countries in the world: there are more than a hundred murders per hundred thousand population, and criminal gangs - for example, the well-known Mara Salvatrucha - are operating with might and main. Another question is that this has little to do with tourists, although it cannot be ruled out that you will witness a shootout. I was lucky, but my friends witnessed the detention of one of the gang members with all the ensuing consequences and circumstances.

Prostitution is extremely developed. There are many priestesses of love, they crave foreign clients and are ready to give themselves to them at a bargain price - both in the capital and in tourist towns.


And, of course, the notorious mañana - “tomorrow” - and here for many it becomes a life credo. “Manyana” is almost the same as “Inshallah” in Arab countries or “after the rain on Thursday” in Russia. If they promised you something, adding the word “manyana” (which, however, simply translates as “tomorrow”), keep in mind that perhaps your interlocutor will not be in much of a hurry to fulfill his obligations.

Food and drink

The first and most important thing you should know about food in El Salvador is that it is fantastically, obscenely cheap. For a couple of dollars you can eat so much that you won’t be able to move normally for another half a day. And it will be excellent food - delicious pastries, perfectly fried meats, such as shish kebab, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as traditional rice and beans.

The second thing that surprised me was that catering establishments are literally at every step, just everywhere. Sometimes you get the feeling that Salvadorans don’t cook at home at all, but live in simple cafes, make all their meetings and appointments there, and also eat every hour, no less.

Vacation with children

In general, it is possible, but, in my opinion, outside large cities, and much depends on the age of the child. Admiring volcanoes or animals is wonderful, but the life of capitals or Indian ruins will hardly be interesting to a child, especially if he has not yet reached adolescence. In my opinion, there are much better regions for families with children - at least Mexican or Playa dal Carmen. There is less beach infrastructure here, but prices are lower. It's up to you to decide anyway. At least health care is normal here, and medical insurance will help you out if anything happens.

Safety

Health care in El Salvador is not all bad, but it’s not perfect either. There are outbreaks of malaria and other infectious diseases here, but global prevention is not required, just as you do not need to do any special vaccinations to enter here. To protect yourself in terms of health, it is enough to drink bottled water, cover your head in the sun and, of course, watch what you eat. An emergency first aid kit with drugs for those chronic ailments that you suffer from is, of course, necessary, but there are no problems with pharmacies here. But it’s worth getting full medical insurance, but keep in mind that in the worst case, most likely, you will still have to pay the doctor out of your own pocket, and then this money will be reimbursed to you.


Salvadorans themselves place a lot of trust in their family doctors; the latter are very respected people in society, but many of them practice various kinds of alternative medicine in parallel with the official one that is familiar to everyone. This, however, does not apply to well-equipped clinics, where foreigners usually end up.

I personally did not have to deal with crime in Latin America. Even in Venezuela, which everyone scared me about, I was given a passport that fell out of my pocket in a subway car, and the waiter chased me two blocks to return my phone, forgotten on a table in a cafe. However, people I know have been victims of robbery several times, including in El Salvador. Once - when spending the night in a tent in the city. The criminals were interested in expensive photographic equipment.


Many locals carry weapons, often ostentatiously, and, given the crime statistics, this is a completely justified measure. You will also often see fences, guards and barbed wire. You will also notice that as darkness falls the streets become deserted.

To avoid getting into trouble, just follow these simple tips:

  • Don't get carried away with night walks. If you are driving somewhere in the dark, take a taxi, even if you only have to travel a short distance.
  • Do not show off expensive equipment or large wads of money. If you are walking down the street and one of the bored passers-by seems suspicious to you, put on a business-like appearance and boldly walk past. Practice shows that only a tourist looking around in confusion attracts attention. However, cases of robbery of visitors are said to be investigated especially carefully.
  • In El Salvador, passenger buses are occasionally robbed, despite police checkpoints on the highways. If this happens, do not resist the criminals. However, come to terms with the prevailing circumstances in the event of a single robbery.
  • Never, under any circumstances, experiment with consciousness-expanding substances. I would also advise not to abuse Salvadoran rum: a sober tourist is a priori safer. If you do drink, do it at the hotel, or better yet, upon returning home.

There are quite a lot of police officers, as well as security guards, in the country. In large cities, law enforcement officers can be found at literally every intersection. Tourists are treated with great attention and respect.


5 things you must do in this country

  • The first thing to do is eat pupus at the pupuseria - and more than one! Try pupusas with different fillings and don't worry about calories.
  • Wash your feet in the Pacific Ocean and admire the local beaches. The most famous are Costa del Sol and La Barra de Santiago. In some places there is a very decent tourist infrastructure.
  • Visit one of the national parks of El Salvador and look at the volcanoes up close, enjoy the unique mountain nature of these places, and then, for contrast, take a tour bus in San Salvador. By the way, there is a free route for tourists, covering all local attractions.
  • Visit any of the Indian ruins; perhaps compare with what you saw in neighboring countries.
  • Appreciate the flavor of the countryside, taste homemade ice cream and cheese from Doña Maria. Tell her about how your parents met, as well as about your husband (wife) and how many children you would like to have.

Nearby countries

It makes no sense to limit yourself to El Salvador alone if you find yourself in Central America. There is a lot of interesting things around, the distances are short, and there are plenty of buses!


Mexico

A country with a rich culture, which, frankly speaking, is not enough for a whole month. The most remarkable historical monuments of the pre-Columbian era are located here. It is impressive both with its unique examples of colonial architecture and developed tourist infrastructure (free bicycles alone, issued with a copy of a passport, are worth it! And the Frida Kahlo Museum!), as well as more remote corners, more precisely, the states. The Yucatan Peninsula deserves special and special attention - there are gorgeous beaches of the Caribbean Sea, Indian pyramids, and karst lakes. And what a gorgeous cuisine in Mexico!


Guatemala

In my opinion, it is the most “Indian”, the most traditional country in the region, which has remained closest to the local origins. Guatemala also has amazing nature. At the same time, unlike El Salvador, it is not so densely populated; in the northeast there are generally completely remote areas without roads where you can travel through the jungle on foot. And if this is an ordinary Latin American capital, then in small towns, such as, for example, Solola, on the picturesque volcanic Lake Atitlan, you can feel the real local flavor. You won't regret it, I promise!


Nicaragua

It’s worth visiting here just to sail on a small boat on the giant lake of the same name, in the middle of which are the Omeltepe Islands with beaches of volcanic sand. And in the lake itself, by the way, there are freshwater sharks. Even in Nicaragua, they weave the most beautiful hammocks in the world, and in general, both the country itself and its history are interesting. Not to mention the fact that there are a lot of Soviet cars here, and some locals can even speak Russian...


Honduras

“They called the wrong country Honduras,” they say in an ironic way, and in vain. The standard of living in this country is quite high, there is something to see both in the capital and in the surrounding area. - these are the most beautiful mountain landscapes, delicious pastries with cheese and bright ceramics. And in some places there is an absolutely wild coastline with untrodden paths.


Panama

The main attraction of this country is the Panama Canal. You can look at the traffic jams of ships waiting their turn, admire the ultra-modern embankment lined with mirrored skyscrapers, and then be amazed at the contrast, because favelas, spontaneous and merciless self-construction in poor neighborhoods, exist even in such an economically developed capital as Panama City. It’s also worth a trip, at a minimum, to the Bocas del Toro islands; by the way, this is where the reality show “The Last Hero” was filmed.


Anything to add?

El Salvador gained independence from Spain in 1821, creating a federal state along with neighboring countries. After the collapse of the federal republic in 1841. El Salvador became an independent state. Over its 150-year history, the republic has experienced about 130 coups d'etat due to the continuous struggle between local conservatives and liberals.

El Salvador is often called the “land of lakes and volcanoes.” The main part of its territory is a volcanic highland, lying above 600 m above sea level. Due to the altitude, the climate here is moderately hot. The year is divided into two seasons - dry (November–April) and rainy (May–October). It is in the highlands, with its fertile volcanic soils and cool climate, that 75% of the country's population lives, where the capital and other large cities are located - Cojutepeque, San Miguel, Sonsonate, etc. However, the majority of the population are rural residents. More than 75% of El Salvador's territory is occupied by agriculture - coffee, cotton, sugar cane and other crops are grown for export.

Nature and climate

Most of the country is a volcanic highland, the surface of which, with an average height of 600–700 m, decreases to the southeast and is deeply dissected by river valleys. Within the highlands, two chains of volcanic cones (mostly extinct) of sublatitudinal extent rise. The height of these cones is from 1200 to 2381 m (Santa Ana volcano in the west of the country). The capital of the country is located at an altitude of approx. 600 m. Lakes are found in intermountain depressions filled with volcanic ash. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions often occur. The fertile soils of the plateau, developed on volcanic rocks, are where most of El Salvador's coffee plantations are located.

The volcanic plateau is separated from the Pacific coast by a strip of coastal plain, reaching its greatest width (40 km) in the area of ​​the Lempa River estuary. In some places, the plain is crossed by spurs of mountains, breaking off with steep ledges to the ocean.

The main river of El Salvador is the Lempa. From its sources in the mountains of Guatemala, it flows for a short distance through the territory of Honduras, then through the territory of El Salvador in an easterly direction for approx. 100 km, after which it sharply turns south and, crossing the volcanic plateau, heads towards the ocean. The sublatitudinal section of the river is confined to a deep tectonic depression. During the rainy season, the river, carrying silty sediments, is very deep and overflows its banks in many places, but during the dry season it becomes shallow and in some places almost completely dries up. Fertile soils formed on volcanic rocks and alluvial deposits.

The climate of El Salvador is tropical trade wind. In most of the country (with the exception of the highest ridges on the border with Guatemala and volcanic peaks) temperatures are constantly above 18 ° C. In the city of San Salvador, the average annual temperature is 23 ° C, and the difference in average temperatures of the warmest and coldest months does not exceed 3° C. From May to October, heavy precipitation falls throughout the country, brought by winds from the Pacific Ocean, but the rest of the time dry northern winds prevail and there is almost no rain. San Salvador has an average annual precipitation of 1,750 mm, of which 1,600 mm occurs during the rainy season. In the past, the country was covered with forests, but most of them have been destroyed. In some places, oak and pine forests have been preserved on the slopes of the volcanoes; the slopes of the Lempa River valley are covered with grassy savanna and shrubs.

Attractions

The main attractions of El Salvador are its volcanoes and the archaeological heritage of ancient Indian civilizations. The capital, San Salvador, which lies at the foot of a majestic volcano, is currently being reconstructed. Its main treasures are the Cathedral Metropolitan, the Church of El Rosario and the Tazumal Archaeological Museum. Not far from the capital lie the ruins of a Mayan settlement (Hoya de Cerén), which are the remains of a village destroyed by a volcano. Also nearby is the archaeological site of San Andres, one of the largest sites of pre-Columbian culture in the country.

Eastern El Salvador is notable for its wild landscape, towering volcanoes and rich coffee plantations. The most interesting place in this place is the city of San Vicente, where monuments of the colonial past are still preserved. There are also many notable sites near the city, including the Mayan ruins of Tehuacán.

The most important historical site in El Salvador is the Mayan archaeological site of Chihuatan, where many different structures and burial sites, as well as unique artifacts, have been discovered. However, the site of the largest archaeological excavations in El Salvador is Tazumal, which is recognized as one of the most important cities of the lost civilization.

Among other attractions of the country, it is worth highlighting the rock paintings in the caves of Grutas del Espiritu Santo, the Museum of the Salvadoran Revolution (the city of Perquín), the dilapidated quarters of the city of San Salvador Ciudad Vieja (the very first capital of El Salvador), the town of Suchitoto, which is recognized as the most beautiful colonial city ​​of the country, and the Cathedral of Tempo del Señor de Jesus in the city of Huaihua. Tourists and travelers are also advised to pay attention to the Bosque el Imposible National Park and the city of Santa Ana, whose main treasures are the picturesque Lake Coatepec, the Catedral Santa Ana Cathedral and three volcanic peaks.

Kitchen

The traditional cuisine of El Salvador is based on a mixture of Indian and Spanish culinary traditions, and you can try it in any local restaurant or eatery. The most standard menu items here are casamiento rice and bean mixture and popus tortilla with refried beans, house cheese, pork rinds, cabbage or hot sauce.

Also a popular snack offered by street vendors is another type of popus - pasteles (meat pies). Sandwiches made from two flatbreads with fried pork, cheese or sausage are also common.

If you look into a typical national restaurant, you can try more interesting dishes: arroz (fried rice), tamale (meat that is wrapped in corn dough and fried on a banana leaf), polio dorado (fried chicken), sopa de frijoles (bean soup) and carne asada (fried beef). Also, the most common dishes include panes con pavo (small rolls with poultry and salad), bocas (a general name for all kinds of snacks) and various exotic delicacies (roast iguana, fried armadillo, etc.). Seafood dishes are also popular in El Salvador, such as mariscada (seafood in a creamy sauce).

Well, the most popular drink in El Salvador is the coffee grown here, which is famous for its excellent quality. In addition, the most common local drinks are strong black tea and a variety of drinks made from sugar cane and juices, as well as horchata (a drink made from milk, rice, sugar and cinnamon) and cebada (made from barley and cinnamon). Among the alcoholic drinks, local beers and aguardiente (cane rum) are the most common. Almost all types of imported liquor are available in major cities.

Accommodation

Hotels in El Salvador are mainly large resort complexes with swimming pools, spas, gyms, tennis courts and playgrounds. Moreover, some hotels are focused on family vacations, so they provide 24-hour babysitting services. The official language of El Salvador is Spanish, but most hotel staff speak fluent English.

The most expensive hotels are located along the Pacific coast. These are, as a rule, multi-storey hotel buildings of international hotel chains (Hilton, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental, Sheraton and Holiday Inn). There are also small family hotels in El Salvador, which are analogues of European B&B hotels. Moreover, food is provided depending on the wishes of the guests.

The cost of living in El Salvador is reasonable, but it traditionally increases during the annual Carnival (February or March). Moreover, rooms during this period should be booked in advance.

Entertainment and relaxation

Today, the tourism industry of El Salvador is just beginning to develop, so entertainment venues, a variety of restaurants and nightclubs are available only in large cities and hotel complexes. However, travelers are attracted not by the country’s cities, but by its countless rivers, majestic volcanoes, amazing lakes and mysterious structures of the Mayan civilization. Therefore, the most popular entertainment here are excursions to archaeological sites and natural attractions, as well as outdoor activities. The wild waters of the Lempa River are very good for kayaking and rafting. Among travelers, the most attractive are the western regions of the country, where the excursion tourism infrastructure is best developed.

The most popular beach in the country is La Libertad, which is located near the capital. The beaches in the La Costa del Balsamo area are no less visited.

It is worth saying that the coast of El Salvador is a strip of sandy shores with wild rocks and mangrove forests. Moreover, colorful fishing villages and clean, wide beaches abound here. Also interesting are the islands of the Gulf of Golfo de Fonseca, which offer excellent conditions for boat trips, yachts and speedboats. Moreover, schools of whales and dolphins regularly appear in these places.

El Salvador is famous for its noisy and colorful holidays, festivals and carnivals. Among these, the most popular are Christmas, Semana Santa (the week-long festival before Easter) and the annual El Salvador del Mundo festival. During these celebrations, colorful carnivals and parades, football battles and fireworks take place in all cities of the country.

Shopping

In El Salvador, tourists will find a large number of interesting original souvenirs, which are sold both in traditional markets and in shops. First of all, these are objects of folk art that combine Indian and Spanish traditions. The most common ceramic products with designs and ornaments of the Mayan tribes who lived here are: kitchen utensils, vases, figurines and much more. Local merchants also offer original products made from straw and turtle shells, shaman masks, stone figurines of people and a unique souvenir - a palm nut called tagua. In addition, such goods as dried butterflies, “musical frogs,” national clothing, beads and bracelets made of leather or bright threads, and coffee are in great demand among tourists.

Another interesting purchase could be paintings depicting parrots or local landscapes, which are sold in art salons. Well, if you want to buy something more expensive, then you should go to local jewelry stores, where you can find very original jewelry.

Bargaining in El Salvador is possible in most private shops and in all markets, and the discounts offered here are quite significant. It is worth noting that most local traders, when they see a foreigner, initially inflate the price several times, but then gradually reduce it.

Transport

The main airport in El Salvador is El Salvador International Airport, which is located 40 km from the capital San Salvador. There is no railway connection, and the main intercity transport is buses. There are three bus stations in San Salvador (West, East and South). In other cities and towns of the country, intercity buses depart from the market or central square.

City buses include older American and newer Brazilian models. The number of each bus and its direction are indicated on the windshield. Payment for the fare is made after boarding (to the conductor). The cost of one trip is about $0.3.

Taxi services are available in all major cities of the country. The easiest way to stop a car is to wave your hand. Travel within the central part of large cities is quite cheap - $4–6, but at night rates double. Also in many cities there are small minibuses and pickup trucks with wooden benches installed in their bodies.

Connection

El Salvador's telephone system is quite old, but is currently being modernized very intensively. Street payphones from which international calls are possible (only to Canada or the USA) are installed only in large cities. To make calls to other countries, you can use the services of Telecom call centers, which are located everywhere. Telecom (yellow) and Telefonica (green) machines operate using telephone cards, which are sold in supermarkets, company offices, restaurants and gas stations. You can also make an international call from such machines, although its cost will be 10–15% higher than from a call center.

The quality of cellular communications in El Salvador is not yet at the highest level. However, roaming with Salvadoran operators is already available to all subscribers of the largest Russian operators.

Internet access is provided in hotels and offices of large companies. There are Internet cafes in the capital and large cities, and their number is rapidly increasing. On average, the cost of one hour varies from $1 to $2.

Safety

El Salvador is considered a rather dangerous place to travel. The fact is that a high level of crime and violence is recorded here every year, and the majority of the population carries weapons (which is a consequence of the complex criminal situation in the country).

Tourists are strongly advised to travel only by taxi after dark. It is also not recommended to display large sums of money, photographic or video equipment, jewelry and watches. In transport and crowded places, you should be wary of pickpockets.

The country's authorities are putting all their efforts into fighting crime, so police checkpoints and bus checks are commonplace here. If the police asked you to get off the bus and present your personal belongings for inspection, you should not worry, as this is a common procedure here. Moreover, police representatives always treat tourists with emphatic respect and attention.

No mandatory vaccinations are required to travel to El Salvador, and the sanitary and epidemiological situation in this country is generally normal.

Business climate

El Salvador is considered an extremely poor country, whose economy is based on the export of food products (coffee, sugar, etc.) and remittances from workers abroad. The country's industry suffered during the civil war, and now its main industries are food, chemical and textile production. In 2006, the government of El Salvador signed a trade agreement with Central American countries and the United States, which significantly improved the current economic situation.

Today, the country's authorities welcome the acquisition of land for the purpose of organizing any industrial production. Attractive tax conditions are already starting to yield results.

Real estate

El Salvador is the most populous and smallest country in Central America. This circumstance, plus a pleasant tropical climate and Pacific beaches, significantly increases the demand for real estate. On the other hand, the consequences of the civil war are still felt in the social and economic sphere, so prices here are significantly lower than in Europe.

The government of the country limits the purchase of land plots that are intended directly for agricultural use, but encourages the acquisition of land for the purpose of organizing industrial production.

An agreement on a common visa area was signed between El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua (the above countries also have an agreement on visa-free entry into their territories for citizens of the Russian Federation). However, tourists who travel to these countries with one of the visas may encounter various difficulties when crossing internal borders. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to check with the embassy about the situation in the country before traveling.

Visa information

There is a visa-free regime for citizens of the Russian Federation in El Salvador. Also, a visa is not needed if the tourist has a valid visa from Canada, the USA or one of the Schengen countries. However, if the planned stay is more than 3 months, you will need to apply for a visa.

When crossing the border, the traveler must present his passport (valid for at least 30 days), tickets, a personally completed migration card and documents confirming solvency (bank cards, cash, traveler's checks).

At the moment there is no Embassy of El Salvador in the Russian Federation. If you need a visa, you should contact the embassy in one of the Latin American or European countries.

Culture

Spanish and Indian elements are intertwined in the culture of El Salvador. In remote rural areas, old colonial-era holidays such as Moors and Christians Day (celebrating the Spanish victory in the Moors War) and Indian Day are still celebrated. The country has many skilled artisans, and their products are exhibited at a special fair that takes place in August in San Salvador. The National Museum in the capital of the country houses interesting exhibits of ancient Indian culture, and about 32 km from the city there are the ruins of ancient Mayan settlements.

The visual arts of El Salvador began to develop in the 20th century. At the origins of the national tradition of painting is Jose Mejia Vides, who turned to depicting nature and folk life. From 1930 he was director of the National School of Fine Arts in San Salvador.

Among the writers of El Salvador, the most famous representatives of Spanish-American modernism are the poet Francisco Gavidia (1863–1955), the poet, prose writer and philosopher Alberto Masferrer (1868–1932), the author of satirical novels and plays José María Peralta Lagos (1873–1944) and a major representative of social poetry by Roque Dalton Garcia (1935–1975).

Story

An expedition led by Pedro de Alvarado, sent from Mexico City by E. Cortes, reached the territory of present-day El Salvador in 1524. A year later, Alvarado captured the Indian capital of Cuscatlan and founded the city of San Salvador there; in 1528 the city was moved 40 km to the southwest. In 1539, a new city was built near it - in the place where it is located now. The current territory of El Salvador has been part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala since 1560, and its history is closely connected with the history of the rest of Central America.

Like other Central American countries, El Salvador declared independence from Spain on September 15, 1921. In 1823, the federation of the United Provinces of Central America was formed, which included Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The capital of the federation became the city of Guatemala, and in 1925 liberal leader Manuel José Arce was elected president. However, differences soon arose between him and his party, as a result of which he joined the Conservatives and established a despotic regime of government. The liberals, concentrated mainly in El Salvador and Honduras, marched under the command of the Honduran patriot Francisco Morazan and managed to win, overthrowing Arce.

El Salvadorans viewed Guatemala with fear and hostility, partly because it dominated the region during the colonial era and partly because of the concentration of conservative elements there. Wanting to appease the Salvadorans, Morazan moved the capital to San Salvador. Later, when internecine strife led to the collapse of the federation in 1838, only El Salvador stubbornly defended the idea of ​​a union. Eventually, El Salvador was invaded by troops sent by Guatemala's conservative leader Rafael Carrera, and liberal supporters of Morazan were forced to leave the country.

Subsequent decades of the 19th century. were filled with conflicts, during which large owners - the owners of coffee plantations - began to strengthen their political and economic power. In 1844, Carrera installed his friend Francisco Malespin as president of El Salvador; after a stubborn and bloody struggle, the liberals returned to power in 1845, but in the period from 1852 to 1860 Carrera again became the master of the situation. In 1860, the liberals managed to put their candidate at the head of the country, Gerardo Barrios, a comrade-in-arms and follower of Morazan. However, in 1863 he was overthrown, and the presidency was taken by Francisco Dueñas, an energetic and capable conservative who remained in power until 1871. He was later removed by the liberals, who ruled El Salvador until 1876.

Conservatives were able to establish control in the country when Rafael Saldivar y Lazo became president in 1876, who adopted a new constitution in 1880. He maintained good neighborly relations in Guatemala until the liberal President of Guatemala Justo Rufino Barrios tried to forcibly revive the Federation of Central America . In addition to the long struggle with Guatemala, El Salvador had occasional conflicts with Honduras and Nicaragua, although an alliance similar to the former federation was twice established with these countries.

Early 20th century was the "golden age" for the Salvadoran oligarchy. Higher coffee prices contributed to political stability; power was in the hands of several dominant families, the change of president usually took place peacefully. The end of the idyll came in the early 1930s, when coffee prices collapsed on world markets and unrest began among peasants and farm workers. In 1931, General Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez seized power; the next year he suppressed a popular uprising and carried out a brutal massacre in the country: more than 30 thousand people were killed (4% of the total population of El Salvador). Hernandez Martinez twice won presidential elections, in 1935 and 1939. In 1944, he tried to extend his stay in power for another 5 years, but a group of democratically minded military officers opposed him. Following a general strike led by students, Hernández Martínez was forced to resign as president.

The reformist government, consisting of former political emigrants, was never able to take power in the country into its own hands. At the same time, senior military leaders and large landowners quickly united, supporting General Salvador Castañeda Castro, who was elected president in 1945. In the post-war period, some representatives of commercial and industrial circles believed that reforms and renewal of the country's economy were necessary. In the 1950s and 1960s, military personnel were elected to the presidency several times, running under the slogans of reform. The activities of political parties were allowed, but urgent agrarian reforms were never carried out.

It was the absence of an agrarian reform program that was the decisive factor that led to the so-called. the “football war” between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. For a number of years, landless citizens of El Salvador were resettled in Honduras, where there was free land; the total number of immigrants from El Salvador exceeded 300 thousand people. There were fears in Honduras that this could lead to the annexation of border lands by El Salvador. At the same time, Salvadoran manufactured goods flooded into Honduras. All this caused a war that lasted two weeks. The El Salvadoran army occupied part of the territory of Honduras, but the Organization of American States achieved a peace agreement under which the troops were withdrawn from the country.

The return of Salvadoran migrants to their homeland exacerbated social and political tensions. In the 1972 elections, the Christian Democratic Party (CDP), led by José Napoleon Duarte, defeated the ruling National Reconciliation Party, whose candidate was Colonel Arturo Armando Molina.

At the end of the 1970s, mass organizations of the left, including those associated with the partisan underground, began to gain strength. The largest of them, the People's Revolutionary Bloc, seized government offices and foreign embassies, demanding higher wages and land reform. In October 1979, a group of reformist officers carried out a coup and overthrew President Carlos Humberto Romero Mena. A military-civilian junta was created, which was supported by many political parties. However, the conservative part of the military and the oligarchy continued to block reforms, and in January 1980 all parties “to the left of the center,” with the exception of some Christian Democrats, stopped supporting the junta, headed by José Napoleon Duarte.

In early 1980, under pressure from the United States, the junta finally began to implement some reforms, including the redistribution of land ownership and the nationalization of banks. Nevertheless, police and military excesses continued in the country. In March 1980, the prominent human rights activist Archbishop of San Salvador Oscar Arnulfo Romero was shot dead at the altar during a service, and at his funeral, the townspeople who came to say goodbye to him were shot by troops. After this, civil war broke out in the country.

In December 1980, left-wing organizations involved in the armed struggle united to form the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). They were joined by part of the Christian Democrats, as well as trade unions and groups of students, clergy and intellectuals, forming the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), whose leadership came out with demands for democracy and social reforms. The US government declared the RDF a terrorist organization and provided assistance to the junta by sending military advisers, money and weapons to El Salvador.

In March 1982, elections to the Legislative Assembly were held under strict military control. The right-wing parties were in the majority, and banker Alvaro Magaña was appointed interim president. By the mid-1980s, more than 40 thousand Salvadoran citizens had been killed by government forces, and hundreds of thousands had emigrated. In May 1984, presidential elections were held, in which the CDA candidate José Napoleon Duarte won.

In the elections to the Legislative Assembly in March 1988, the right-wing party, the Nationalist Republican Union (ARENA), won with a significant margin. A year later, in March 1989, the presidential elections were won by ARENA candidate Alfredo Cristiani. In May 1990, the Cristiani government and the FMLN agreed to negotiate to end the civil war.

Changes in the international arena caused by the collapse of the USSR in 1991 also affected the situation in El Salvador. By 1991, negotiations were in full swing between the government and the FMLN. Peruvian Javier Perez de Cuellar played a major role in the negotiations, who announced that reaching an agreement on a ceasefire would be the end of his work as UN Secretary General. The peace treaty was signed on January 16, 1992 in Mexico City and entered into force on February 1, 1992.

In March 1994, ARENA candidate Armando Calderon Sol won the presidential elections, and his party won a majority of seats in the Assembly. Later that year, the FMLN split, with a splinter group taking the name Democratic Party forming a short-lived alliance with ARENA. Elections to the Legislative Assembly and local authorities, held in March 1997, ended in victory for the FMLN. This party won as many seats in the Assembly as ARENA and won a majority in many municipal councils, including in San Salvador.

Economy

El Salvador is a predominantly agricultural country, with an economy based primarily on coffee production; however, the 1960s and 1970s saw rapid industrial growth. Unemployment, both full and partial, remains a serious problem. Work on farms is seasonal, and most people employed in agriculture do not have a permanent source of income.

The government of the ARENA party is pursuing an “open market” policy, which led many farmers to ruin, because they could not compete with duty-free American products imported and sponsored by their government, and encouraged the creation of assembly shops and branches of American companies in the country; multinational corporations entered the country because wages were low and were interested in keeping it that way. Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy of El Salvador.

Until 2001, the country’s monetary unit was the Salvadoran colon, then the government of El Salvador, which fell into complete debt and military dependence on the United States back in the 1950s, abandoned the national currency altogether. From 2001 to the present, the US dollar has been used in the country. Colon was completely withdrawn from circulation in 2004.

: "Saludemos la Patria orgullosos"

As a result of Martinez's actions aimed at destroying political freedoms, the first communist uprising in America occurred in 1932 - 40 thousand peasants led by Farabundo Martí opposed the regime, but the uprising was suppressed with the help of severe repression.

In 1944, as a result of protests by the army, students and a number of political groups, Hernandez resigned. After this, military and formally civilian governments, under the control of the military, alternated in power.

In 1969, the so-called Football War took place between El Salvador and Honduras.

In the late 1970s, a combination of economic and political factors, such as the suppression of dissent by force, gross election fraud, harassment of the opposition press, changes in the regional situation in connection with the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, the country began a civil war between the military regime, which then was replaced by the center-right government of José Napoleon Duarte, and by “leftist” political groups organized into the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front.

The crime rate in El Salvador is one of the highest in Latin America.

The fauna is quite diverse. Tapirs, anteaters, armadillos, badgers, sloths, arboreal porcupines, and monkeys are found in the thickets of the coast and in the forests on the mountain slopes. Predators include jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and reptiles include boa constrictors and several types of poisonous snakes. Savannahs are home to iguanas, deer, coyotes, peccaries, and various small rodents. There are caimans in the rivers. There are several hundred different species of birds (including parrots, toucans, herons, wild geese, hummingbirds, etc.).

The subsoil of El Salvador contains various minerals: iron, copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold, platinum, bauxite, sulfur, asbestos, kaolin, quartz, gypsum, limestone. Granite and marble are available. But these mineral wealth have been poorly explored and developed.

Economy

The government of the ARENA party is pursuing an “open market” policy, which led many farmers to ruin, because they could not compete with duty-free American products imported and sponsored by their government, and encouraged the creation of assembly shops and branches of American companies in the country; multinational corporations entered the country because wages were low and were interested in keeping it that way. Agriculture remains the main sector of the economy of El Salvador. GDP in 2005 was $34 billion.

Currency

Until 2001, the country's monetary unit was the Salvadoran colon, then the government of El Salvador, which fell into complete debt and military dependence on the United States back in the 1950s, abandoned the national currency altogether. WITH