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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed, cotton, sorghum; beef, dairy products; shrimp

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.75 billion expenditures: $1.82 billion, including capital expenditures of $317 million (1997 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$2.6 billion (yearend 1997)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $763 million (1996) note: US has committed $280 million in economic assistance to El Salvador for 1995-97 (excludes military aid)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

In 1997 the government emphasized a fixed exchange rate, along with conservative monetary and fiscal policies to promote foreign investment. Inflation fell to an unprecedented low of 2%. Exports reached a record level and were the main engine of growth. Productivity in other sectors remained weaker, however. For the last few years, El Salvador has experienced sizable deficits in both its trade and its fiscal accounts. The trade deficit has been offset by remittances from the large number of Salvadorans living abroad and from external aid. The deficit is expected to increase in 1998 as imports continue to rise. San Salvador is stepping up its privatization efforts in 1998 to increase revenues. Late in 1997 the legislative assembly approved a privatization law that will facilitate the sale of the state-owned telephone company sometime in 1998. The government also plans to privatize pension funds later in the year.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

900,000 kW (1996)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

603 kWh (1997 est.)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

3.5 billion kWh (1997)

Exchange rates [time series]

Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 (end of period)-8.755 (January 1998-1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993) note: as of 1 June 1990, the rate is based on the average of the buying and selling rates, set on a weekly basis, for official receipts and payments, imports of petroleum, and coffee exports; prior to that date, a system of floating was in effect

Exports [time series]

total value: $1.96 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: coffee, sugar; shrimp; textiles partners: US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$17.8 billion (1997 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 15% industry: 24% services: 61% (1997 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$3,000 (1997 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

4% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Japan

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7% (1997 est.)

Industries [time series]

food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

2% (1997)

Labor force [time series]

total: 2.26 million (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 18, FM 80, shortwave 2

Radios [time series]

1.5 million (1997 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system international: satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

350,000 (1997 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

11 (1996 est.)

Televisions [time series]

700,000 (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

7.7% (1997 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 21,040 sq km land: 20,720 sq km water: 320 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April)

Coastline [time series]

307 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]

smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land [time series]

1,200 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 545 km border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 27% permanent crops: 8% permanent pastures: 29% forests and woodland: 5% other: 31% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

14 departments (departamentos, singular-departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan

Constitution [time series]

20 December 1983

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne W. PATTERSON embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Station Antiguo Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023 telephone: [503] 278-4444

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Rene A. LEON chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671, 9672 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Boston

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June 1994); Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Armando CALDERON Sol (since 1 June 1994); Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante (since 1 June 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 20 March 1994, with a run-off election held 24 April 1994 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: Armando CALDERON Sol elected president; percent of vote-Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other 10.49%; because no candidate received a majority, a run-off election was held and the results were as follows-Armando CALDERON Sol (ARENA) 68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[503] 278-6011

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band-it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are selected by the Legislative Assembly

Legal system [time series]

based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations note: Legislative Assembly passed landmark judicial reforms in 1996

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 16 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 2000) election results: percent of vote by party-ARENA 35.4%, FMLN 34.3%, PCN 8.1%, PDC 7.9%, CD 3.8%, PRSC 3.4%, PLD 3.2%, MU 2.1%, PD 1.0%, other 0.8%; seats by party - ARENA 28, FMLN 27, PCN 9, PDC 8, PRSC 3, CD 2, PLD 2, MU 1, PD 1, independent 3

Capital (National capital) [time series]

San Salvador

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Republican Alliance or ARENA [Alfredo CRISTIANI]; Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Facundo GUARDADO, general coordinator]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ronal UMANA, secretary general; title in dispute]; National Conciliation Party or PCN [Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, secretary general]; Democratic Convergence or CD [Ruben ZAMORA, secretary general]; Popular Labor Party or PPL [Jose VILANOVA, secretary general]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Kirio Waldo SALGADO, president]; Social Christian Union or USC (formed by union of the PRSC, MU, and MSN) [Abraham RODRIGUEZ, president]; Democratic Party or PD [Ana Guadeloupe MARTINEZ, president]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

labor organizations: National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers (CNTS)National Union of Salvadoran Workers (UNTS); Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar, Transport and other activities (FESINCONTRANS); Salvadoran Workers Central (CTS); Port Industry Union of El Salvador (SIPES); Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador (SIES); Workers Union of Electrical Corporation (STCEL) business organizations: Salvadoran Industrial Association (ASI)Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association (ASIC); National Association of Small Enterprise (ANEP)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

$104 million (1997)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (1997)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,362,504 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 864,419 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 65,130 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37% (male 1,088,579; female 1,042,087) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,575,806; female 1,748,250) 65 years and over: 5% (male 135,556; female 161,789) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.71 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.32 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 94%, Amerindian 5%, white 1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

29.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 69.66 years male: 66.31 years female: 73.17 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.5% male: 73.5% female: 69.8% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran

Net migration rate [time series]

-4.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

5,752,067 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.57% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 75% note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.06 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; the presidents of Honduras and El Salvador signed in January 1998 an agreement allowing citizens in the 1992 demarcated areas to choose Honduran or Salvadoran citizenship; the two countries also agreed to a final demarcation of the border within one year; the agreement awaits ratification by the legislative assemblies of both countries; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced for local consumption EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Transportation

Airports [time series]

88 (1997 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1997 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 84 914 to 1,523 m: 18 under 914 m: 66 (1997 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1997 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 9,977 km paved: 1,985 km (including 266 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,992 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

none

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El Triunfo

Railways [time series]

total: 602 km (single track; note-some sections abandoned, unusable, or operating at reduced capacity) narrow gauge: 602 km 0.914-m gauge

Waterways [time series]

Rio Lempa partially navigable