facts about el salvador you probably didnt know
Facts About 'El Salvador' You Probably Didn't Know
El Salvador is located in Central America. It has the smallest area in the region, but on the other hand it is the largest industrial nation in the region. Let's take a look some really interesting facts about El Salvador.
Historically
Olmecs had settled in this region, circa 2000 BCE.
The Olmecs had followed the Native American Lenca people.
The Olmecs were followed by the Mayans.
The Mayans were followed by the Toltec empire.
The Toltec empire ruled till the 11th century, when the Pipil people, descendents of the Aztecs, took over.
By the turn of the 16th century, Spanish colonists had begun to establish themselves.
The nation achieved independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.
Military dictatorships were in power for most part of the 20th century.
This country had to suffer through a civil war, that lasted for 12 years from 1980.
A democratic government has been in power ever since the civil war came to an end in 1992.
Facts About the Culture of El Salvador
Most people of this country―almost 90%―are of Mestizo origin, i.e., people of a combined European and Native American descent, or people who would have been classified as Castizo. Castizo are those people who have three-quarters European and one quarter Mestizo lineage.
Majority of the remaining population―around 9%―claim to have Spanish origins.
Majority of the people are Catholics, while there are also Evangelical Christians.
The minority religions are Judaism and Islam.
The official language is Spanish; however, the indigenous people speak 'Nahua'.
People do not call each other by first names, unless they are asked to do so.
Female clothing includes a cotton headscarf and a shawl, that is worn along with a dress or a skirt and a blouse.
Male clothing usually includes a cotton suit or a cotton shirt and jeans, along with a cowboy hat.
Soccer is one of the most widely followed sports in this country.
Surfing is so famous here that one can find people with surfboards even at the airport.
The largest city in the nation, the capital city of San Salvador, is also known as the 'Valley of Hammocks', owing to the presence of volcanoes nearby, one of which is the San Salvador volcano.
The name of this nation means 'The Savior' in Spanish, whereas, that of the capital city means 'Holy Savior'.
The government offers free education for children up to high school.
In 2001, the currency of El Salvador, the Salvadoran Colon (SVC), was replaced by U.S. Dollars (USD).
Tourist Attractions in El Salvador
The 'El Imposible' National Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in El Salvador. One can find a large variety of plant and animal species here.
At 'El Trifinio', the highest point in the Montecristo National Park, which is located around 75 miles away from San Salvador, there is a cloud forest which houses various orchids and ferns, along with many birds, including the green toucans.
One of the must-visit places in the country is the 'Iglesia El Rosario'. There is a church that has a dome-shaped roof, and which looks like an airplane hangar from outside, while the stained glass in the ceiling filters the light into the color of a rainbow.
The 'Punta Roca' Resort located at Puerto La Libertad, about 40 minutes from San Salvador, and proves to be a major attraction for surfers from all over. It is one of the favorites among travelers.
The 'El Boqueron' National Park is a place that should be on the list of the people who love hiking. It is located at the top of the San Salvador volcano, and has a crater at the rim of which there are short trails for hiking.
More About the 'Land of Volcanoes'
El Salvador is also known as the 'Land of Volcanoes', as there are around 20 volcanoes in this country.
In 1969, El Salvador had invaded Honduras, which led to a four-day war. The war had started after the riots during a football match between the two nations, and hence is known as the 'Football War'.
The 'Football War' is also known as a '100 Hour War', as a ceasefire was brokered within 100 hours after the war had broken out.
Rice, beans, and Tortillas form the staple food of the nation, while Papusa is one of the most famous dishes around here.
It is the third largest economy and the largest industrial area in Central America.
There are a number of coffee plantations around the country, as it is located on a fertile volcanic plateau.
There are five volcanoes located inside the triangle in the coat of arms on the El Salvador flag.
Since the formation of the democratic government in the last decade of the 20th century, there has been a rise in the number of jobs available in the manufacturing sector. However, the number of immigrants to the United States has also been on the rise, due to the lack of financial stability and the natural disasters that have struck the nation.