Full country name: Republic of El Salvador
Capital: San Salvador     
Area: 21,040 km2
Population: 6.2 million
Major Industries: Agriculture, Chemicals, Electricity, Fishing, Food Processing, Footwear, Forestry, Petroleum Products, Textiles and Clothing


Location
El Salvador has a total area of 21,040 km2, grossly 230km by 90km (144 miles by 56 miles), being its limits as follows: to the north with Guatemala and Honduras, to the east with Honduras, the Gulf of Fonseca, and Nicaragua, to the south with the Pacific Ocean, to the west with Guatemala.

Climate
The climate generally remains constant year around. The rainy season is from May through October and the dry season from November through April. The average annual temperatures are a high of 80F, and a low of 64F.  (27º and 18º Celsius).

Government
As in most democratic republics, government in El Salvador is divided into Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

The Executive Branch is represented by the President of the Republic who is elected by the people for a single five-year term. Reelection is forbidden.

The Legislative Branch is represented by a Chamber of Congress, composed by eighty-four Congressmen, elected for a three-year term. Reelection is permitted.

The Judicial Branch is represented mainly by the Supreme Court. Magistrates of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President of the Republic and have to be ratified by the Congress.

Currency
El Salvador is a bi-currency country. Starting in January 1, 2001, El Salvador issued a new law to make the U.S. Dollar a legal currency. However, El Salvador still has the Salvadorian Colon as its own currency with a fixed exchange rate of ¢8.75 per US$1.00, but is not circulating anymore, it is used only for reference as the US dollars is in use country wide. Most major credit cards, such as VISA, MasterCard, Dinners Club, and American Express are widely accepted everywhere.

Banking
Banks are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Mini-banks which are located at most of mall centers and supermarkets are open until 7:00 p.m.  On Saturdays, some banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Languages
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken within the big cities and most tourist areas. Some Indian languages such as Nahuatl and Lenca are still spoken in some areas of El Salvador.

Religion
The Constitution grants freedom of religion to all its citizens. Approximately 75% of the population is Roman Catholic; the other 25% is Protestant of different denominations. Throughout El Salvador, churches are plentiful and usually the centerpiece of every town. Catholic churches can be found almost everywhere and other denominations are also found within the country.

Shopping
The city of San Salvador has experienced a boom in first class malls/shopping centers that offer a myriad of choices; from stereo equipment to couture clothing. The Metrocentro Mall is the largest mall in all Central America; it holds more than 600 hundred stores. It has a large food court on the fourth floor restaurants serving spicy Cajun food, McDonald’s, fish and chips and many other kinds of food can be found. Galerias Mall is one of the most beautiful places to shop in San Salvador that sells French cosmetics, high fashion clothes, and quality leather goods. There are also two other first class shopping centers located on the road to Santa Tecla called MULTIPLAZA and LA GRAN VIA, where fine stores, restaurants, bars and movie theaters can be found. Shopping Mall Plaza Merliot and The Hipper Mall Las Cascadas, which have huge supermarkets, are also good options. In the handicraft market in San Salvador, on the road to Santa Tecla, there are colorful wooden painted items that El Salvador is known for, key holders, chests, mirror frames, hammocks, and rustic Adirondack style chairs. Local markets are also interesting places to shop, with a glimpse of the Salvadorian life style. Throughout El Salvador, local markets serve two basic functions; they provide a place to purchase flowers, fruits and vegetables, meats, rice and beans, and they also serve as a meeting place, where groups gather together to exchange pleasantries and local gossip. Bargaining is something very common on local markets.

Restaurants
Dinning is a treat in San Salvador; regardless of whether it’s an upscale restaurant or local “pupuserías” (small local restaurants) patrons receive superb attention. A dish most Salvadorians prefer is “mariscada”. This seafood soup includes crabs, shrimps, fish and clams in a spicy broth. Large lobsters top many menus and are deliciously prepared by Salvadoran and international chefs. Avocado and shrimp appetizers are also common as well as grilled sea bass or spicy blackened snappers. Restaurants closer to the coast are known for serving “ceviche” as an appetizer. Ceviche is tangy cubed fish cooked in limejuice and mixed with chunks of onion and green pepper. Most Salvadorians enjoy ceviche at noon with an ice-cold beer to fight the heat. Another popular dish is called “pupusa”, which are corn or rice flour tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese or pork rinds. “Mixtas”, or mixed pupusas are also available and made with pickled strips of cabbage, carrots and onions. The tropical country of El Salvador also has exotic fruits such as níspero, zapote, orange, mangos, papaya, piquant jocote marañón, pineapples, and bananas. International restaurants can also be found in El Salvador serving Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Mexican, fast food, and many others.

POLICE
For any Police emergency: 911
Police Transit Department: 2226-7049

FIRE DEPARTMENT
Third Section, 25 Ave. Norte: 2221-2163
Fourth Section, Antiguo Cuscatlán: 2243-2054

RED CROSS
2222-5155 & 2222-5333

SCHOOLS
The early educational system in El Salvador consists of elementary schools and secondary schools; most of which are run by the stat and are free. In San Salvador and other big cities, there are several private schools that are also run by the state , however tuition can be high. According to official statistics, the literacy rate in El Salvador is 74%, but it varies according to age groups.

Some of the excellent bilingual private schools in San Salvador are: AMERICAN SCHOOL, GERMAN SCHOOL, BRITISH SCHOOL, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, FRENCH SCHOOL and THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY. College education is taught only in Spanish. The most prestigious and recognized universities in El Salvador, all of them in San Salvador, are: UNIVERSIDAD CENTROAMERICANA “JOSE SIMEÓN CAÑAS”(UCA), UNIVERSIDAD DE EL SALVADOR, UNIVERSIDAD FRANCISCO GAVIDIA,  UNIVERSIDAD JOSE MATIAS DELGADO, UNIVERSIDAD TECNOLOGICA and UNIVERSIDAD ALBERT EINSTEIN.

Immigration Process
Most foreign nationals should arrive in El Salvador carrying either a Tourist Visa, obtained at Salvadorian Consulates abroad, a Tourist Card obtained at Salvadorian Consulates in International Airport upon arrival, or some airports of origin prior to departure. A Visa or Tourist Card could permit a foreign national to legally stay up to 90 days in El Salvador. To work legally in El Salvador, a foreign national should obtain a temporary residence with permit to work after arrival. Immigration offices are at Centro de Gobierno, phone: 2222-5000, and can provide further information.

Important Immigration Links:

• American Consulate: http://sansalvador.usembassy.gov/
• American Chamber of Commerce: http://www.amchamsal.com/

HOUSING COSTS
The costs for monthly rents vary depending on size and location on the houses. Average costs housing are as follows:

• Small houses/apartments (2-3 bedrooms): USD$1,200.00- USD $1,800.00
• Medium houses/apartments (3-4 bedrooms): USD$1,800.00- USD $2,500.00
• Large houses/apartments (4-5 bedrooms): USD$2,500.00- USD $4,000.00

The most common areas are: Colonia San Benito, Colonia Escalón, Colonia San Francisco, Colonia Cumbres de Cuscatlán and Colonia Santa Elena, all of them located in San Salvador. When renting a home, take note of the following issues: First month rent is necessary as pre-payment rent, the equivalent to one month rent is required as security deposit, the estimated length of time between signed lease and move-in is from 2 to 4 weeks. Maintenance fee is not included in the rent and is between USD$100.00-USD$200.00. Tenants are responsible for telephones, utilities (water, electricity), internet, and cable bills.

Holidays

New Year’s Day: January 1st
Holy Week: March/April
Labor Day: May 1st
Fiestas Agostinas (August festivities): August 1-6th
Independence Day: September 15th
Columbus Day: October 12th
All Soul’s Day: November 2nd
Christmas Day: December 25th

Technical Information

Voltage: 110 volt AC is found throughout the country
Plugs: Standard American Plugs