Most of
El Salvador (’the savior’ in Spanish) is volcanic. The country has been racked by civil war and a succession of natural disasters which have left it physically devastated and psychologically traumatized.
Despite this, visitors will appreciate the
resilience and optimism such tragedy seems to have inspired in El Salvadorans. Poor communities such as Ilobasco and La Palma have become renowned for their
handicrafts and folk art. Even though crime is still a problem for those visiting the country, the National Civilian Police (PNC), created in the
wake of war, is working on improving safety.
The country’s major attractions include
volcanoes,
mountains (especially those in
Cerro Verde National Park),
beaches,
tropical nature preserves and
archaeological sites from the Maya civilization.
GeographyEl Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. The highest are Santa Ana at 2,365m (7,759ft), San Vicente at 2,182m (7,159ft) and San Salvador at 1,943m (6,375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone.
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