Country info for backpacking in El Salvador

El Salvador covers an area of about 21,040 square kilometers (the smallest country in central america), although it is the most densely populated. El Salvador is home to more than 6,500,000 people. It is divided in 14 sections. It has 25 volcanoes, 14 lakes, and four large cities. Its capital is San Salvador. Its origin comes from the ancient civilization of the Pipils.

History

The civilization of El Salvador dates from the pre-Columbian time, around 1500 B.C., according to evidence provided by the ancient structures of Tazumal in Chalchuapa. A Mayan pyramid at the San Andres Archeological Site The Spanish Admiral Andrés Niño lead an expedition to Central America and disembarked on the Island Meanguera, located in the Gulf of Fonseca, on May 31st, 1522. This was the first Salvadoran territory visited by the Spaniards. In June, 1524, Spanish Captain Pedro de Alvarado began a predatory war against Cuzcatlán (land of precious things) that was populated by the native tribes of the country. After 17 days of bloody battles many natives and Spaniards died. Pedro de Alvarado defeated, and hurt in his left hip, abandoned the fight and ran to Guatemala, appointing his brother, Gonzalo de Alvarado, to continue with the conquest of Cuzcatlán. Later, his cousin Diego de Alvarado stablished the villa of San Salvador on April, 1525. King Carlos I of Spain granted San Salvador the title of city in the year 1546. During the following years, El Salvador developed under Spanish rule. Area around the main square of the town of Suchitoto, with its church built by the Spaniards in the 1700's Towards the end of 1810, a feeling of a need for feedom arose between the people of Central America and the moment to break the chains of slavery arrived at dawn on November 5th, 1811, when the Salvadoran priest, Jose Matías Delgado, sounded the bells of the Iglesia La Merced in San Salvador, making a call for the insurrection. After many internal fights, the Acta de Independencia (Act of Independence) of Central America was signed in Guatemala on September 15th, 1821. On December, 1931, the corrupt and incapable regime of the Labour Party, headed by Araujo, was overthrown. General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez assumed the presidency. The fraudulent elections of January, 1932, were the detonating factor of the social outbreak. Several voting sites were suspended in populations in which the Communist Party had strong presence. The insurrection began. Two frustrated assaults to the Cuartel de Caballería (Cavalry Quarters) were conducted by the rebel forces. The government ordered martial law. Strict censorship of the press was implanted. In the following days thousands of farmers and workers, carrying machetes and some few "Mauser" rifles attacked police quarters, municipal offices, telegraph stations, warehouses, and wealthy landowners' properties. This insurrection was crushed. On January 31st, Manuel Antonio Castañeda sentenced Farabundo Martí to death. He was shot and killed on February 1st, 1932. Many Coup d'états followed, including the one that overthrew General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez. Relations with Honduras deteriorated in the late 1960s. There was a border clash in 1967, and a four-day so-called Football war (Soccer War), as it was named by the international mass media, broke out in July 1969. The war ended with a cease-fire prompted by pressure from the United States and the Organization of American States. The Salvadoran forces that had invaded Honduras were withdrawn. They were just a few kilometers outside Honduras' capital. A movement of organized leftist guerrillas was created in 1974 and 1975, increasing the political violence. In 1980, three of the leftist organizations united to coordinate a fight against the government. This movement was called FMLN (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional. english- Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front). On March of the same year. Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador, was killed while he was celebrating the mass. It is widely believed that the final order came from Major Roberto D'Abuisson, the founder and leader of ARENA, a right-wing party. D'Abuisson is best known for his suspected involvement in death squad murders. He died of cancer in 1992. On January 16th, 1992, the government of El Salvador and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), signed in Chapultepec, Mexico, Los Acuerdos de Paz (Peace accords), putting an end to one of the most painful chapters in the history of El Salvador. The 12 years of armed conflict claimed the lives of over 75,000 people. Today, El Salvador is stable and with a growing economy, leaving behind its painful history.

Climate

Tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in the uplands.

Holidays

DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks March/AprilHoly WeekSemana SantaCelebrated with carnival-like events in different cities by the large Catholic population May 1Labor DayDía del TrabajoInternational Labour Day May 10Mother's DayDía de la Madre. August 1–7August FestivalsFiestas AgostinasWeek long festival in Celebration for the El Salvador del Mundo, patron saint of El Salvador. September 15Independence DayDía de independenciaCelebrates independence from Spain, achieved in 1821AD October 12Columbus DayDía de la RazaThis day commemorates the discovery of the Americas November 2Day of the DeadDía de los DifuntosA day in which people usually visit the tombs of deceased loved ones. November (final week)Carnival to San MiguelCarnaval de San MiguelWeek long carnival in San Miguel December 25Christmas DayNavidadSalvadorans stay up on December 24th until 12 am to welcome Christmas with a huge "arsenal" of firecrackers December 31New Year'sAño nuevoSalvadorans stay up on December 31st until 12 am to welcome the new year the same way as Christmas (You can hear the deafening sound of the firecrackers on both days all over the country).

El Salvador has a bad reputation due to the civil war of the 80s. The Consular sheet from the US State Department indicates that "El Salvador has one of the highest homicide rates in the world". Crime is an issue, mostly caused by the MS-13 street gang that Salvadorans founded in Los Angeles and brought back to El Salvador when they were deported back to their country. These are mostly seen in industrial areas and some specific districts. You must use common sense and avoid entering into a zone that does not appear safe, just like you do in any country of the world. Avoid carrying fancy stuff if you are walking on the public streets, such as jewelry, expensive cameras, watches. Females should avoid travelling alone as they will catch the occasional cat-calling and perhaps get felt up here and there on tightly packed buses; however the police (PNC) are very professional and helpful there, and you can rely on them for help. A good idea for any person visiting El Salvador is to keep only necessary forms of identification, such as a driver's license, when exploring the city or tourist locales. If you must keep your passport on you at all times, a traveler's pouch would allow you to have it safely with you. Most tourists prefer to stay within the safe areas of El Salvador such as La Zona Rosa where there is relatively no crime. In case you are not staying at one of the country's 5 star hotels, remember to ask if the city or town you are visiting has a high level of gang activity. In 1996 San Salvador was considered the second most dangerous city in the Western Hemisphere, according to statistics.[39] Since the end of the civil war in 1992 El Salvador has not seen a reduction in crime rates. Today San Salvador, and El Salvador in general, experience some of the highest homicide rates in the world, it is also considered an epicenter of the gang crisis, along with Guatemala and Honduras.[40] The homicides reported in 2006 reached up to 3,906, in 2005 3,779 were reported; 57.2 violent deaths per every 100,000 people.[41]. Crime rates in general have been steadily growing throughout the years, from 2005-2006 crime rose 7.5%. The government tried controlling the gangs with a tactic called "Super Mano Dura" which means "Super Strong Hand", however it has not been successful and crime rates have continued to rise.[42]

If you are not accustomed to food sold by street vendors, you'd probably be best off staying away from food sold on the streets. If you want to try a pupusa, you should try to find a restaurant to taste this popular dish rather than buying them from street vendors. 'Agua en bolsa' (water in a plastic bag) is very commonly sold in the streets and corner stores of El Salvador. Visitors should never drink 'agua en bolsa' nor tap water, period. Instead purchase sealed bottled water of a well-known brand. Likewise it's good to avoid food that has been washed with tap water such as lettuce or other vegetables sold on the street. Use common sense! Pharmacies are easily found all over the country. Be sure to have a first-aid kit if you travel to the countryside and to archaeological sites. Mosquito repellent comes in handy.