The Central American city of San Salvador is the capital city of the country of El Salvador. Founded in 1525, it is the second city in Central America to be established as a Spanish colony. Today, it is the political, cultural, financial and educational center of the country and is also the largest city in El Salvador.
The bustling city of San Salvador is home to more than half a million residents, while the metropolitan area has about 2.4 million people. In Central America, San Salvador ranks as the third largest city and second largest metropolitan area. A third of the total population of the country resides in the capital city.
The people in the country’s capital hail from a diverse indigenous background. People’s ethnic backgrounds come from Pipil, a group of Native American Indian, White and various European ancestries. The primary language spoken in San Salvador is Spanish. There are varying levels of English proficiency in the city, so it may be necessary to avail of the services of a professional language translation provider to translate business related documents and other technical and important matters.
The city’s name translates to Holy Savior while San Salvadoran residents affectionately call their city “San Sivar.” The majority of the residents are Mestizo, while over 10% are White. Just 1% of the populace is of native indigenous ancestry.
The city of San Salvador occupies an area of 72.25 square kilometers or just under 28 square miles. On the other hand, the metropolitan area encompasses an area of 620.86 square kilometers or over 239 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 658 meters or 2,159 feet.
“Your Spanish Translation can help you or your business become acclimated to the diverse community of San Salvador. We can provide you professionally-trained Spanish interpreters and have all documents translated accurately into Spanish or any language you want by our professional Spanish translators. Click here for more information.”
San Salvador is nestled in the Salvadoran highlands and it is at the foot of the San Salvador Volcano. Due to its location in the seismic activity-prone Valle de las Hamazas or the Valley of the Hammocks, it is also prone to earthquakes. The largest volcanic lake in the country is Lake Ilopango, while the highest point in the city is the Cerro El Picacho that’s nearly 2,000 meters or over 6,000 feet high. In the city’s urban area, the Colonia Escalon rises to a height of 1,003 meters or 3,290 feet. The lowest area on the other hand is Colonia San Esteban, which is still 645 meters or 2,016 feet high.
Much like other cities in Central America, the city of San Salvador enjoys two major seasons. There is a wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The city enjoys a warm tropical climate all year round. The coolest times of the year are the months of November to February, while the hottest temperatures are recorded in March and April. The average high is 30.1 °C or 86.2 °F, while the average low is only at 15 °C or 59 °F.
The precipitation in a year in San Salvador reaches 1,734 millimeters or 68.27 inches. Fortunately, it is not very humid in the city although it can be quite hot. Wearing lightweight clothing should suffice for most travelers, although a lightweight rain jacket would come in handy during the rainy season.
The city is a major transportation hub of the Central American continent. The Pan American Highway cuts through the city allowing travelers from various parts of the world ready access to the city. This important highway links the city to Managua in Nicaragua, San Jose in Costa Rica, Guatemala City and North America.
At the same time, the El Salvador International Airport (AIES) serves San Salvador. Also known as the Comalapa, it is the largest and most modern airport in the continent. AIES is also the third busiest airport in Central America. The two other airports that service the city are the Ilopango International Airport and the Tamarindo Regional Airport.
San Salvador has garnered an unsavory reputation in recent decades due to the 12-year civil war in the 1980s and the rise in gang activity. However, the government has successfully managed to reduce the crime rate in the city. Travelers and tourists in San Salvador should exercise practical safety precautions when visiting. It’s best not to carry too much cash with you during the day. Keep your credit cards and cash in a money belt since pickpockets are rampant, just as in any major city. Leave your travel documents locked in your hotel safe and before going out, avoid wearing expensive articles of clothing and flashy jewelry. Avoid walking alone at night and when going around, opt for a licensed taxi.
Travelers visiting San Salvador would be pleasantly surprised at the rich culture, warm and friendly people, delicious cuisine and interesting attractions. It’s clear, with all the things that the city has to offer that San Salvador is a city poised for tremendous growth and an exciting future.
History of San Salvador
Pipil natives settled in the area now known as San Salvador as far back as the 11th century. The Nahuatl-speaking people called it Antiguo Cuzcatlán, which is located nearby the current location of San Salvador.
The Spaniards led by Pedro de Alvarado came in the 16th century and quickly established a Spanish colony. The town of San Salvador was founded in 1525. However, the location of the town had been moved twice in its history. The first was in 1528 when it was in Ciudad Vieja and the second was in 1545 when it was moved to the Acelhuate Valley, which is also called Valle de las Hamacas. This then remains the current location of the city of San Salvador. A year later, San Salvador was declared a city.
Under Spanish rule, the city exported various agricultural products, especially indigo, cotton and balsam. Only a small number of landowning elite controlled much of the wealth in the city, using the African slaves and indigenous people to work the land. This imbalance between the landowning elite and the poor laborers would dramatically affect the socio-economic and political background of the city for many centuries.
In 1811, Father José Matías Delgado planted the seeds for Central American independence against the Spanish crown. A decade later, the Central American colonies got what they wanted. At the start, the former colonies joined Mexico, but by 1823, they formed the Federal Republic of Central America. San Salvador served as the capital of the Central American Federation, which comprised the united provinces of Central America.
In 1834, the country of El Salvador gained its independence and withdrew from the Federation and the city of San Salvador has served as the capital of the country since then.
Up until the 20th century, the town remained small. The country’s exports shifted from indigo to coffee, with coffee exports generating 95% of the country’s income. Only 2% of the city’s residents controlled the booming coffee trade. This wide income disparity between the laborers and the landed rich caused social unrest, resulting in many uprisings, which would haunt the country for many years.
Between the latter part of the 19th century up until the 20th century, San Salvador experienced a construction boom. Many of the city’s important buildings were erected during the time, such as Hospital Rosales, the National Palace, the Monumento a los Próceres de 1811 and the Teatro Nacional. The Golden Age of San Salvador is from the 1960s to the 1980s since this was the period when the city grew and was modernized and the quality of life was improved for the residents.
However, in the 1980s, the country suffered a civil war due to a large clamor for massive social reforms that would last for more than a decade. The unrest turned into a full-blown civil war in 1980 with the assassination of the archbishop in San Salvador. Military and government forces warred for control of the country, much to the suffering of the people. This stunted further modernization efforts in the city. At the same time, San Salvador suffered from a massive earthquake in 1986 that destroyed many government buildings, homes and other infrastructure.
After 12 years of civil war, the internal strife in El Salvador ended in 1992 with the signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accords.
Today, San Salvador continues to grow and move forward from its tumultuous past. In the 21st century, San Salvador is emerging as an economic powerhouse. Many immigrants from countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua are also moving to what is thought to be a land of opportunity. Despite suffering from numerous natural calamities and a number of wars over the years, San Salvador has emerged stronger and more vibrant than ever.
Demographics of San Salvador
Salvadorans number 540,898 as of 2011. This translates to a population density of 7,486.4 people per square kilometer or 19,389.9 residents per square mile. The urban population of San Salvador is at just slightly over half a million, but its metropolitan area has a population that comprises 2,415,217 residents. This translates to a metropolitan density of 3,689.7 residents per square kilometer or 9,556.3 people per square mile. The city has a population growth rate of 1.68% and a life expectancy of 73.44 years. 95% of the total residents of San Salvador are literate.
San Salvador is the most populated city in El Salvador. A third of the country’s population resides in the bustling metropolis, thanks to massive internal migration during the two decades of civil unrest. As a result, the residents of the capital city are quite diverse, hailing from various economic and ethnic backgrounds.
The city’s population is a blend of several ancestries. About 86% is considered to be of mixed race or Mestizo. About 12% are White, although the majority is of Spanish descent given the Spanish colonial roots of the city. Those with other European backgrounds have ancestries from France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Denmark. Immigrants from all over the world have found their way to San Salvador, resulting in a truly diverse and multi-ethnic population. Central European refugees include those from Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic. There are also those of Russian, American, Australian and Canadian descent. Many of these came during various wars as refugees or soldiers, including World War II, the Cold War and the civil war, and eventually settled in the city. There are also growing communities of Chinese, Turkish, Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian heritage.
Only about 1% of the population is of Mayan, Pipil and Lenca origins. This is probably because of the 1932 uprising that resulted in the loss of lives of 30,000 peasants who were of indigenous descent.
As with other Central American cities, Spanish is the primary language spoken in the city. The immigrants coming to the city are also from Spanish speaking nations such as Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru. However, there is a growing Korean population as well as a European community in the city. Other languages spoken in the city are English and French. Pipil, Nahuatl and Mayan languages are still spoken by some residents. Given the tremendous diversity in the city, many businesses may feel the need to avail of the services of a professional language translation service provider to cater to the various needs of the diverse population.
As with many Spanish colonies, the people of San Salvador are Catholics. More than 57% of the population is considered Roman Catholic, while over 21% are Protestant. There is also a growing number of Jews and Muslims in the city, thanks to the increasing immigrants from the Middle East and Arab countries. However, over 16% of the total residents are not affiliated with any religion.
Because of the long civil war and various socio-economic problems that San Salvador has suffered, more than a million residents have sought refuge in the United States. Since the 1970s, many of the city’s residents have migrated to Panama, Costa Rica, Europe, Canada and Australia.
Economy of San Salvador
A major part of the trade and industry of El Salvador is reliant on the output and contribution of the large-scale businesses and diverse companies that have headquarters in San Salvador. Although the country of El Salvador is the smallest of the Central American countries, it has the third biggest economy in the region. San Salvador produces a major bulk of the country’s economy.
Some of the products produced in the city are beer, tobacco, clothing, soap and textiles. Handicrafts, construction materials, food and beverage production, chemical industries, appliance repair and pharmaceutical industries are other income generators in San Salvador. The capital city generates close to 65% of the country’s total GDP. At the same time, Moody’s has ranked the country of El Salvador in the top three places for investment in Latin America. Also, it boasts of having a World Trade Center, which makes it one of only two cities in the region to have one.
Several top corporations maintain headquarters in San Salvador. These include Grupo TACA, Unicomer Group, retailers Almacenes Simán and Grupo Q, Grupo Roble, and Grupo Real. Important banking and finance institutions such as HSBC, ScotiaBank, Citibank, Banco Azteca of Mexico and Banco Agricola are also based in San Salvador, as well as different insurance companies. Top retailers such as Sears, PriceSmart and Walmart all have a presence in the city.
The city’s financial district is not located in the downtown area since this area is recognized as the city’s historic center. Much of the growth of the city is seen in the growing number of high-rise buildings in the city’s Districts 2 and 3 neighborhoods. These include the San Salvador’s World Trade Center, Centro Financiero Gigante and the upscale developments at the Zona Rosa. The country’s communications companies are mostly based in San Salvador, including the country’s top TV stations.
However, the city suffers from a high unemployment rate. There is also a large number of informal workers, selling goods from the streets and underemployed residents.
Although San Salvador is a Central American country, it uses the US dollar as its official currency. This makes it highly convenient for travelers since there is no need to exchange to a local currency.
San Salvador Attractions
Although earthquakes have destroyed many of the old buildings in San Salvador, there continues to be many attractions in the city to cater to all kinds of interests. The historic downtown area has undergone massive renovation in recent years to showcase the proud and important history of the city.
The National Theater or Teatro Nacional de El Salvador is known as the oldest theater not only in the country, but also in the entire Central American region. It is also the biggest, most luxurious and elegant theater complex in the region. It dates back to 1917 and features French Renaissance architecture, with a beautiful Great Hall. The theater is a national monument in the country and is where various performances of plays, operas, concerts and dances are held.
The original National Palace was built in the late 19th century but was destroyed by fire. The current building was constructed in the early 20th century. This is where the country’s president holds office. It is used for various ceremonial and official businesses. Another important political center in the city includes the Casa Presidencial or the Presidential Mansion, since this is where the President lives and has some offices.
The largely Catholic San Salvador has several churches that are worthy of your visit. The most important is the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Savior. This serves as the seat of the city’s Archbishop and is the principal church of the country’s Archdiocese. The tomb of slain archbishop Oscar Romero, whose assassination was the final trigger for the country’s civil war, is located here. The church has a shrine for the patron saint of El Salvador, Jesus of the Divine Savior of the World sculpted in 1777 by Friar Francisco Silvestre Garcia.
There are a number of monuments all over the city of San Salvador. The 18-meter Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo or the Monument to the Savior of the World is the most recognizable monument of the city. It is located at the Plaza el Salvador del Mundo. It shows an image of Jesus standing on a globe placed on a concrete pedestal. The Monument of Memory and Truth, a 300-foot long monument that was unveiled in 2003 commemorates the country’s 12-year civil war. It is the most visited site in the city. There are over 30,000 names inscribed on this granite monument, serving as a strong reminder to the country’s grim war-torn past.
San Salvador provides residents and guests a number of parks and plazas to enjoy. The San Salvador Jardin Botanico La Laguna or the La Laguna Botanical Gardens houses many of the native fauna in the city. It is uniquely located at the bottom of a volcanic crater. Within its seven acres is a lagoon, 3,300 types of plants, local birds and animals. The garden itself is off limits to the public as it is used for research. There are aquatic plants, orchids, bromeliads, desert plants as well as medicinal plants. The Parque de los Pericos is an urban sanctuary for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Civic Plaza or La Plaza Gerardo Barrios is located at the heart of San Salvador, wherein travelers could see the shield of El Salvador and the bronze statue of President Gerardo Barrios. This plaza is the location for the feast of San Salvador.
The two largest museums in the city are the Museo Nacional de Antropologica de El Salvador (MUNA) as well as the Museo de Arte de El Salvador or MARTE. The MUNA or the David Joaquín Guzmán National Museum of Anthropology comprises five galleries featuring various aspects of Salvadoran history and culture, spanning pre-Hispanic times to the modern age, with a vast collection of Mayan and Pipil artifacts. Important pieces include the Xipe Totec, which is carved pottery from Tazumal and a statue called Wake of Tazumal dating back to the post-classical period. On the other hand, the Museo de Arte de El Salvador features the best of Salvadoran art, including works by artists such as José Mejía Vides, Camilo Minero, Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dali and Rembrandt.
The Natural History Museum or the Museo de Historia Natural is located at the Saburo Hirao EcoPark. The museum is divided into permanent exhibit rooms – the hall for rocks and minerals, the paleontology hall where visitors could see fossils of a giant sloth, molars of a mastodon, a skull of a saber-tooth tiger and several impressions of flora and fauna on sedimentary rocks. There is also the ecosystem hall where a dry tropical forest, a cloud forest and mangrove system are some of the recreated features. Also at the EcoPark is the National Zoo and the Museo Militar.
Travelers with children would like the Tin Marin Museo de los Niños. This children’s museum has over 25 exhibits geared for the young crowd to encourage learning in a fun and interactive environment, including The Planetarium, The Grocery Store and The Airplane.
The Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen or the Word and Image Museum is a moving tribute to the Salvadoran Civil War. The museum has an extensive movie archive of various important historical moments in the country, as well as a photo archive of over 35,000 pictures featuring the indigenous culture of the country, the 1932 peasant uprising and various Salvadoran personalities. It is one of the best places to learn about Salvadoran history.
Travelers who wish to escape the hot climate of San Salvador and wish to enjoy the water could take the half hour drive and head to the beachside city of La Libertad. This is a favorite haunt of those who wish to go surfing. On the other hand, those who want to have a bird’s eye view of the city should visit Los Planes De Renderos. Its cooler climate, due to its 1,000-meter elevation is a welcome respite from the heat in San Salvador. While here, many travelers enjoy some freshly made pupusas. Pupusas are handmade corn-flour tortillas that are stuffed with finely-ground cooked pork, refried beans and soft cheese. Those who wish to view Volcano San Vicente should go to the highest point of the metropolis, La Puerta del Diablo. From 1,250 meters above sea level, visitors get the chance to see the breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast, Lake Ilopango and the city below.
San Salvador Culture
San Salvador offers many attractions and activities for travelers. Given its rich history and important political and economic background, it is not surprising that the culture of San Salvador remains vibrant and allows travelers a glimpse of the Salvadoran way of life. It was named as the “Latin American Capital of Culture” by the Union of Ibero-American Capital cities in 2011.
San Salvador boasts of many things. There are over 90 hotels in the city ready to accommodate travelers. The two widest boulevards in all of Central America are found here: Boulevard de los Heroes and Boulevard de los Proceres. There is also a number of monuments in the city, although the most recognizable is the Divino Salvador del Mundo. Other monuments in the city include the Plaza Morazan, Water Clock, Atlacatl Monument and the Monument to the Seas. San Salvador also has the largest convention center in Central America, the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Convenciones. San Salvador’s best performing arts are showcased at the Teatro Nacional while the symphony orchestra of San Salvador regularly plays at the Teatro Presidente.
Travelers who wish to see some folk dances should head up to Los Planes de Rendos to enjoy “Los Historiantes,” a popular dance drama showcasing the Spanish colonization through dance called “Moros y Cristianos.”
Most of the wonderful sights in San Salvador are best enjoyed during the daytime but that does not mean that you cannot enjoy having a night out in San Salvador. When the sun sets, San Salvador’s nightlife heats up at the upscale Zona Rosa. There are many restaurants, bars and clubs in this ritzy neighborhood. You would also enjoy a different look at the city view when the lights and neon signs are all lit. Some of the city’s attractions are also silhouetted in brilliant lights after sundown.
Food lovers would surely enjoy the food festival held monthly at the Las Fuentes de Bethoven Park. There is an endless array of food choices in the city, such as delicious Italian, Japanese, Korean, French, Thai, Chinese, Chilean, Peruvian, Mexican, Spanish, Middle Eastern, German, Argentine and American cuisine. When it comes to local dishes, a must try is Salvadoran Pupusas or stuffed masa flat bread, which are available at the pupuserias. Typical Salvadoran cuisine is heavily influenced by Spanish and Mexican cooking and includes dishes such as tamales, empanadas, pacalla, chicharron, sopa de pata, curtido, semita and pastel de tres leches. Try to sample also some carne asada, casamiento, pavo salvadoreño and pollo encebollado. For refreshments, visitors should try sugar cane flavored soda called Lokachampan, tamarind juice and the herb-and-spice drink Horchata de Arroz and the corn beverage called Atol de Elote.
When it comes to shopping, San Salvador is known in Central America for having the most number of modern shopping malls anywhere in the region. Visitors could take their pick from Multiplaza Mall, Galerias, Loma Linda, La Gran Via and El Paseo. The largest shopping mall in the city is Metrocentro Mall, which also happens to be the largest shopping mall in all of Central America. For top picks on handicrafts and products made by local artisans, the best choices are to be found at Ilopango marketplace and at the Mercado de Artesanias.
When it comes to sports, Salvadorans love soccer. The largest soccer venue in both Central America and the Caribbean is in the city, Estadio Cuscátlan. This is a 45,000-seating venue that also happens to be the most modern in Central America, with a 40- meter LED screen. This is also the home field of the Alianza D.C. The Estadio Nacional de la Flor Blanca is another major soccer venue in the city, which is the home playing field of C.D. Atletico Marte.
There are many festivals in the city held all throughout the year. In February, the Festival Internacional Permanente de Arte y Cultura is held to showcase the country’s top visual artists. Another important cultural event is Fiestas Julias in the month of July. Celebrations featuring lively mariachi music, bands and parades are held in the Santa Ana neighborhood as it celebrates the patron saint Santa Ana. Each neighborhood in San Salvador has a special celebration for their patron saint.
These are many holidays in San Salvador. The country’s Independence Day is celebrated every September 15. Every January 16th is celebrated at Plaza Gerardo Barrios and in La Libertad Park to commemorate the end of the twelve-year civil war the country has suffered.
Some of the busiest times of the year to visit the city are during the holiday season for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, as well as Holy Week known as Semana Santa. This is one of the most important celebrations in the city, as in many Latin and Central American countries. Another religious-themed celebration is Fiestas Patronales held in mid-July, for Nuestra Senora de Santa Ana.
The feast of San Salvador is celebrated every August and the busiest celebrations are at Civic Plaza. Celebrations for Fiestas Agostinas include sports fests, art exhibits, theatre festivals and food fairs. March 15 is another important holiday commemorating the death of Francisco Morazán, who was the president of the Federal Republic of Central America.
Interesting Facts About San Salvador
- The San Salvador Volcano stands 6,211 feet or 1,893 meters tall. It is also called Quetzaltepec. The most prominent and highest peak of the volcano is El Picacho at 1,960 meters and is where many telecommunication antennas are placed. Likewise, the western section of the city lies on its slopes. Fortunately, the last major eruption was close to a century ago in 1917.
- The city of San Salvador frequently experiences many earthquakes. For this reason, many of the city’s old monuments have disappeared or have needed much reconstruction. The most recent major earthquakes were in 1986 and in 2001.
- The Civil War in El Salvador lasted 12 years and resulted in the loss of lives of more than 75,000 people. The U.S. government, in support of the El Salvadoran government contributed a total of $6 billion to the war effort.
- The tallest building in San Salvador is the Pedregal Tower, which is only 28 stories and stretches 110 meters high. It was completed in 2010. Some of the other tall buildings in the city are Torre Futura, Terra Alta, Torre Cuscatlán and 105 Campestre Torre A and Torre B. These buildings have anywhere between 19 to 24 floors each. Next to the city of Panama, it is the Central American city with the most number of skyscrapers.
- San Salvador is the only city in Central America that has a bus system that is free for those who are handicapped, the elderly and pregnant women.
- When in San Salvador, it is important to get your bearings. If the road has an east-west direction, it is called a street. If it has a north-south direction, then it an avenue.
- One of the best universities in Central America is in San Salvador. The Universidad de El Salvador is the only public university in El Salvador. There are also many private bilingual schools in the city that teach English, British English, French and German.
- Some famous people who hail from or have lived in San Salvador include Carlos “El Famoso” Hernandez, the country’s first boxer to win a world title; painters Pedro Ipina and Fernando Llort; caricaturist Toño Salazar; and music composer Rafael Olmedo Artiga.
- San Salvador is a twin city of Caracas, Cartagena de Indias, Guatemela City, Guadalajara and Mexico City, Los Angeles, Managua, La Paz, Madrid, Montreal, St. Petersburg, São Paulo, Taipei and Tel Aviv.
- It is considered rude to yawn in public when you are in San Salvador. Friends beckon each other by extending their arm and wriggling their fingers with the palm facing downwards. Hand movements and facial expressions complement the way Salvadorans communicate.
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Salvador
http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/elsalvadorguide/a/SanSalvador.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0843522.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/el-salvador/san-salvador/history
http://luterano.blogspot.com/2010/10/tallest-buildings-in-el-salvador-and.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_are_some_famous_people_from_El_Salvador