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The Republic of El Salvador is a Central American country, which borders Guatemala and Honduras to the north and parts of the east and west, with the North Pacific Ocean enveloping the rest. The total area of El Salvador is of 21,040 square kilometres and has nearly 6.5 million folk living within the region, who are mainly of mestizo descent and Roman Catholic faith. The inhabitants speak Spanish and English and to earn a crust make their money from textiles, coffee, chemicals, drinks, furniture, cotton and sugar, trading with countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, Germany, Mexico and the US.

Though El Salvador has a high crime rate, most is between gangs and the police well away from tourist areas . Once an extremely poor population, El Salvador now has the highest wealth distribution of the Caribbean and Latin America, though there is still some very poor.

In 1821, El Salvador successfully gained independence from Spain and by 1839, was also liberated from the Central American Federation. A twelve-year bloody, civil war commenced afterwards, which ended in 1992, when the administration and leftist revolutionaries signed an agreement that brought on political and military changes.

Activity seekers will find many good hiking areas to trek round including up to El Salvador’s Boquerón volcano or around the Cerro Verde national park or Montecristo cloud forest. Those wanting a bit of water fun though, should head off to El Sunzal, La Libertad or La Costa del Bálsamo beach, where plenty of surfing can be enjoyed and the islands in the Golfo de Fonseca will provide plenty of chance to see dolphins and sea turtles, with many boats for hire to get a closer look. The Paz and Torola Rivers is where the rafting and kayaking action goes on and with its turbulent waters, visitors are in for a ride of a lifetime!

Tourists will notice the amount of poverty throughout the country, whilst traveling around, including the country’s capital of San Salvador, where muddy shanty towns are in abundance and the residents sell anything they can, from old fruit to gun holsters. In the heart of San Salvador, is the city’s landmark, the domed Metropolitan Cathedral and close by is the 1917, National Theatre, whose ceilings’ painting carries through to the nearby Café Theatre. There are also many markets in the city, which sell various items including hand-woven textiles, handicrafts and ceramics and the National Museum of Anthropology contains many interesting archaeological finds. Visitors will find good, safe accommodation near the centre of the capital and many guesthouses are in plentiful supply to the west of the city. The best area to eat and party is in the Zona Rosa district, with the Boulevard de Los Heroes, also well known for its good distribution of entertainment.

As this country is so small getting around is quick and easy, with buses and cars traveling from the busier capital to the farthest points in only a couple of hours! The local bus service is very reliable, cheap and regular but busy most of the time. Anyone needing a taxi, especially in the evening, must discuss the price before setting off, as the taxis don’t run on a meter.

Visitors can actually get into the country using various international airlines including American and Continental, with direct flights to Comalapa International Airport from most major US cities. The drive back to the capital is only 45 minutes long and visitors will need to grab a taxi or van to get there. The best time to visit El Salavador is from November through April, it may cost more but it’s the country’s dry season and the roads are much safer to use. Festival goers need to get here either during December and January, when the Semana Santa festival takes place or in the first week of August when the capital has its annual festival.

Economy of El Salvador:

El Salvador is a tiny Central American nation with a population of just 6.4 million people, but its economic story is worth telling. The country has been faced with a number of challenges, including high levels of debt, poverty, and violence. However, El Salvador has made significant progress in recent years and is now on a path towards economic growth and development.

The economy of El Salvador is primarily based on services, which account for nearly 75% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This includes industries such as tourism, banking, and telecommunications. Remittances from Salvadorans living abroad are also an important source of income for the country, accounting for more than 12% of the country’s GDP.

In addition to services, El Salvador’s economy also relies heavily on agriculture. The country is a major producer of coffee, sugar, and corn. It is also a major exporter of seafood products, such as shrimp and lobster.

One of the main challenges facing El Salvador’s economy is its high levels of poverty and inequality. The country has one of the highest levels of inequality in Latin America, with the richest 10% of the population owning more than half of the country’s wealth. This has put a strain on public services and has made it difficult for the government to provide basic services such as healthcare and education.

To address this issue, the government of El Salvador has implemented a number of reforms to promote economic growth and reduce poverty levels. These include tax reforms, liberalization of the foreign exchange market, and investment in infrastructure and human capital. The government has also invested in programs to promote job creation, entrepreneurship, and social protection.

El Salvador’s economy is also being supported by foreign direct investment (FDI). The country has seen a steady increase in FDI over the past few years and is now one of the top recipients of FDI in Latin America. This is a positive sign for the country’s economy and it is hoped that this trend will continue in the future.

Overall, El Salvador has made significant strides in its economic development in recent years. The country is now on a path towards growth and development and the government has made great efforts to promote economic stability and reduce poverty levels. With continued investment and reform, El Salvador’s economy is sure to continue to improve.