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Communications

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]

5 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

700,000 (1997 est.)

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 (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$391.7 million (1995); 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 recent years inflation has fallen to unprecedented levels, and exports have grown substantially. Even so, 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. El Salvador sustained damage from Hurricane Mitch, but not as much as other Central American countries. Inflation and the trade deficit are expected to rise somewhat as a result.

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

3.547 billion kWh (1996)

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

60 million kWh (1996)

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

32 million kWh (1996)

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

3.575 billion kWh (1996)

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

fossil fuel: 22.38% hydro: 61.54% nuclear: 0% other: 16.08% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 (end of period)--8.755 (January 1999-1995), 8.750 (1994) 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]

$1.96 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

coffee, sugar; shrimp; textiles

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

US, Guatemala, Germany, Costa Rica, Honduras

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity--$17.5 billion (1998 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 (1998 est.)

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

3.7% (1998 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 38.3% (1995)

Imports [time series]

$3.5 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

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) [time series]

2.6% (1998)

Labor force [time series]

2.26 million (1997 est.)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%, government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%

Population below poverty line [time series]

48.3% (1992 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; Hurricane Mitch damage

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, 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

Capital [time series]

San Salvador

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, Antiguo Cuscatlan, San Salvador mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Rene A. LEON chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 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 7 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% note: in the election held 7 March 1999, Francisco FLORES elected president, Carlos QUINTANILLA elected vice president (will take office 1 June 1999); percent of vote--Francisco FLORES (ARENA) 52%, Facundo GUARDADO (FMLN/USC) 29%, Ruben ZAMORA (CD) 8%, other parties 11%

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, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, 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

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

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

National Republican Alliance or MARTINEZ, president] note: the Social Christian Union or USC is formed by the union of the Social Christian Renovation Party or PRSC, the Unity Movement or MU, and the MSN

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

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

$105 million (1998)

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

0.9% (1998)

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

males age 15-49: 1,393,986 (1999 est.)

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

males age 15-49: 884,093 (1999 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: 65,224 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 37% (male 1,091,500; female 1,044,658) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,612,847; female 1,786,318) 65 years and over: 5% (male 138,052; female 165,704) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.19 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 94%, Amerindian 5%, white 1%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

28.38 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish, Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.02 years male: 66.7 years female: 73.5 years (1999 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]

-4.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

5,839,079 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.53% (1999 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: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.99 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

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

demarcation of boundary with Honduras defined by 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision has not been completed; small boundary section left unresolved by ICJ decision not yet reported to have been settled; 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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

86 (1998 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 (1998 est.)

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

total: 82 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 65 (1998 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1998 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 10,029 km paved: 1,986 km (including 327 km of expressways) unpaved: 8,043 km (1997 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