2014 Edition

Background

El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.

Area

21,041 sq km 20,721 sq km 320 sq km

total

21,041 sq km

water

320 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate

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

Coastline

307 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

highest point

Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.84 cu km/yr (22%/14%/64%) 301.9 cu m/yr (2007)

per capita

301.9 cu m/yr (2007)

total

1.84 cu km/yr (22%/14%/64%)

Geographic coordinates

13 50 N, 88 55 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

449.9 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

590 km Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

border countries

Guatemala 199 km, Honduras 391 km

total

590 km

Land use

31.61% 10.93% 57.46% (2011)

arable land

31.61%

other

57.46% (2011)

permanent crops

10.93%

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (elev. 2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana

volcanism

significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (elev. 2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana

Natural resources

hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Total renewable water resources

25.23 cu km (2011)

Age structure

28.1% (male 882,185/female 837,646) 20.8% (male 640,322/female 635,409) 37.5% (male 1,056,779/female 1,243,220) 6.6% (male 182,937/female 224,019) 6.7% (male 187,664/female 235,331) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

28.1% (male 882,185/female 837,646)

15-24 years

20.8% (male 640,322/female 635,409)

25-54 years

37.5% (male 1,056,779/female 1,243,220)

55-64 years

6.6% (male 182,937/female 224,019)

65 years and over

6.7% (male 187,664/female 235,331) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

16.79 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

179,303 4 % data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

percentage

4 %

total number

179,303

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.6% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72.5% percent of women aged 15-44 (2008)

Death rate

5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Demographic profile

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing. Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.

Dependency ratios

57.6 % 46.2 % 11.4 % 8.8 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.4 %

potential support ratio

8.8 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

57.6 %

youth dependency ratio

46.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 95% of population rural: 81% of population total: 90.1% of population urban: 5.8% of population rural: 19% of population total: 9.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

19% of population

total

9.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

5.8% of population

Education expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

mestizo 86.3%, white 12.7%, Amerindian 1% (2007 census)

Health expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.6% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,000 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

24,900 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

18.44 deaths/1,000 live births 20.52 deaths/1,000 live births 16.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

16.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

18.44 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Nahua (among some Amerindians)

Life expectancy at birth

74.18 years 70.9 years 77.62 years (2014 est.)

female

77.62 years (2014 est.)

total population

74.18 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 84.5% 87.1% 82.3% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

82.3% (2010 est.)

male

87.1%

total population

84.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea dengue fever (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population

SAN SALVADOR (capital) 1.605 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

81 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

25.6 years 24.1 years 27.1 years (2014 est.)

female

27.1 years (2014 est.)

male

24.1 years

total

25.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.8 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2008 est.)

Nationality

Salvadoran(s) Salvadoran

adjective

Salvadoran

noun

Salvadoran(s)

Net migration rate

-8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

25.8% (2008)

Physicians density

1.6 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

6,125,512 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.27% (2014 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8% (2003 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 79.5% of population rural: 53.4% of population total: 70.5% of population urban: 20.5% of population rural: 46.6% of population total: 29.5% of population (2012 est.)

rural

46.6% of population

total

29.5% of population (2012 est.)

urban

20.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2012)

female

12 years (2012)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.85 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.93 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.95 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

12.4% 12.8% 11.7% (2012)

female

11.7% (2012)

total

12.4%

Urbanization

64.8% of total population (2011) 1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.35% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

64.8% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

San Salvador 13 42 N, 89 12 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) none scheduled for 2014

daylight saving time

none scheduled for 2014

geographic coordinates

13 42 N, 89 12 W

name

San Salvador

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983; amended many times, last in 2009 (2012)

Country name

Republic of El Salvador El Salvador Republica de El Salvador El Salvador

conventional long form

Republic of El Salvador

conventional short form

El Salvador

local long form

Republica de El Salvador

local short form

El Salvador

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE (since 22 September 2010) Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 [503] 2501-2999 [503] 2501-2150

chief of mission

Ambassador Mari Carmen APONTE (since 22 September 2010)

embassy

Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador

FAX

[503] 2501-2150

mailing address

Unit 3450, APO AA 34023; 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450

telephone

[503] 2501-2999

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas (since 12 April 2013) Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 595-7500 [1] (202) 232-3763 Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Santa Ana (CA), Seattle, Tucson, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA) Elizabeth (NJ)

chancery

Suite 100, 1400 16th Street, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Ruben Ignacio ZAMORA Rivas (since 12 April 2013)

consulate(s)

Elizabeth (NJ)

consulate(s) general

Brentwood (NY), Chicago, Coral Gables (FL), Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Santa Ana (CA), Seattle, Tucson, Woodbridge (VA), Woodstock (GA)

FAX

[1] (202) 232-3763

telephone

[1] (202) 595-7500

Executive branch

President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014) Council of Ministers selected by the president president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019) percent of vote - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO 39%, Antonio SACA 11.4%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.11%, Norman QUIJANO 49.89%

cabinet

Council of Ministers selected by the president

chief of state

President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

percent of vote - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president; first-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO 39%, Antonio SACA 11.4%; second-round results - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.11%, Norman QUIJANO 49.89%

elections

president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 2 February 2014, with a runoff on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in February 2019)

head of government

President Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (since 1 June 2014); Vice President Salvador Oscar ORTIZ (since 1 June 2014)

Flag description

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; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity 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

republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions) judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly; judges elected for single, 9-year terms with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years. Chambers of Second Instance; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of 15 judges assigned to constitutional, civil, penal, and administrative conflict divisions)

judge selection and term of office

judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly; judges elected for single, 9-year terms with renewal of one-third of judges every 3 years.

subordinate courts

Chambers of Second Instance; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace

Legal system

civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve three-year terms) last held on 11 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2015) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 33, FMLN 31, GANA 11, CN 7, PES 1, PCD 1; note - changes in party affiliation now reflect the following seat distribution: as of 28 March 2014 - FMLN 31, ARENA 28, GANA 11, CN 7, Unidos por El Salvador 5, CD 1, PDC 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ARENA 33, FMLN 31, GANA 11, CN 7, PES 1, PCD 1; note - changes in party affiliation now reflect the following seat distribution: as of 28 March 2014 - FMLN 31, ARENA 28, GANA 11, CN 7, Unidos por El Salvador 5, CD 1, PDC 1

elections

last held on 11 March 2012 (next to be held in March 2015)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador) Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest

lyrics/music

Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE

name

"Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

turquoise-browed motmot (bird)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Change (Cambio Democratico) or CD [Douglas AVILES] (formerly United Democratic Center or CDU) Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Medardo GONZALEZ] Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Jose Andres ROVIRA Caneles] National Coalition (Concertation Nacional) or CN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] (formerly the National Conciliation Party or PCN) Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Jorge VELADO] Party of Hope or PES [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] (formerly the Christian Democratic Party or PCD) Unidos por El Salvador [Manuel Rigoberto SOTO Lazo]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Electrical Industry Union of El Salvador or SIES Federation of the Construction Industry, Similar Transport and other activities, or FESINCONTRANS National Confederation of Salvadoran Workers or CNTS National Union of Salvadoran Workers or UNTS Port Industry Union of El Salvador or SIPES Salvadoran Union of Ex-Petrolleros and Peasant Workers or USEPOC Salvadoran Workers Central or CTS Workers Union of Electrical Corporation or STCEL National Association of Small Enterprise or ANEP Salvadoran Assembly Industry Association or ASIC Salvadoran Industrial Association or ASI

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$4.683 billion $5.666 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$5.666 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$4.683 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

$NA (31 December 2013 est.) 5.6% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.331 billion (2013 est.) -$1.257 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$14.44 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $13.56 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.9 (2007) 52.5 (2001)

Economy - overview

The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2013. Remittances accounted for 16% of GDP in 2013 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during post-war reconstruction and reconstruction following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's external debt has been growing over the last several years, amounting to some 57% of GDP in 2013. In September 2013, El Salvador was awarded a $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) - a United States Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy, 1 (2013 est.) 1 (2012 est.)

Exports

$5.112 billion (2013 est.) $5.447 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron and steel manufactures

Exports - partners

US 47.3%, Guatemala 13.8%, Honduras 9.6%, Nicaragua 5.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

93.9% 11.1% 14.5% 0% 29% -48.5% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

29%

government consumption

11.1%

household consumption

93.9%

imports of goods and services

-48.5%

investment in fixed capital

14.5%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.3% 29.5% 60.1% (2013 est.)

agriculture

10.3%

industry

29.5%

services

60.1% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,500 (2013 est.) $7,400 (2012 est.) $7,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.6% (2013 est.) 1.9% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$24.67 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$47.47 billion (2013 est.) $46.72 billion (2012 est.) $45.84 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

9% of GDP (2013 est.) 8.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 37% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

37% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1%

Imports

$10.03 billion (2013 est.) $9.912 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, foodstuffs, petroleum, electricity

Imports - partners

US 35.4%, Guatemala 12.7%, Mexico 7%, China 5.6%, Germany 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

2.1% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2013 est.) 1.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force

2.738 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

21% 20% 58% (2011 est.)

agriculture

21%

industry

20%

services

58% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $5.474 billion (31 December 2011) $NA (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

36.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt

62% of GDP (2013 est.) 59.2% of GDP (2012 est.) El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.855 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.176 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$10.12 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $9.847 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$5.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) $5.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$8.879 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $8.635 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$11.16 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $10.51 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.914 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.796 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.3% (2013 est.) 6.1% (2012 est.) data are official rates; but underemployment is high

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.713 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

16,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.756 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

101.6 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

52.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

15.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

251 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.491 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

5.728 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

44,040 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,425 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

29,020 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

16,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station (2007)

Internet country code

.sv

Internet hosts

24,070 (2012)

Internet users

746,000 (2009)

Telephone system

multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition nationwide microwave radio relay system country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)

domestic

nationwide microwave radio relay system

general assessment

multiple mobile-cellular providers are expanding services rapidly and in 2011 teledensity exceeded 135 per 100 persons; growth in fixed-line services has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition

international

country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.06 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.65 million (2012)

Airports

68 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

5

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

51 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

11

total

63

Heliports

2 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Puerto Cutuco Acajutla offshore terminal

major seaport(s)

Puerto Cutuco

oil/gas terminal(s)

Acajutla offshore terminal

Railways

283 km 283 km 0.600-m gauge railways have been inoperable since 2005 because of disuse and high costs that led to a lack of maintenance (2008)

total

283 km

Roadways

6,918 km 3,247 km (includes 341 km of expressways) 3,671 km (2010)

total

6,918 km

unpaved

3,671 km (2010)

Waterways

(Rio Lempa is partially navigable for small craft) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

1,449,214 1,611,248 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,611,248 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,449,214

Manpower fit for military service

1,079,038 1,373,368 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,373,368 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,079,038

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

71,530 68,971 (2010 est.)

female

68,971 (2010 est.)

male

71,530

Military branches

Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Slavador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2013)

Salvadoran Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES)

Salvadoran Army (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Salvadoran Navy (Fuerza Naval de El Slavador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.99% of GDP (2012) 1.11% of GDP (2011) 0.99% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation is 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2012)

Disputes - international

International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of marijuana produced for local consumption; significant use of cocaine