What Is The Capital Of El Salvador?

A cathedral in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.
A cathedral in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador.

Where Is El Salvador?

The Central American country of El Salvador is located in the isthmus of Central America where it occupies an area of 21,041 square km. It is the region’s smallest and most densely populated nation. El Salvador has a population of 6.34 million with Mestizos accounting for the majority of the population.

What Is The Capital Of El Salvador And Where Is It Located?

San Salvador serves as El Salvador’s capital city. The city is also the most populous one in the country and one of the biggest urban centers in Central America. As of 2015, the metropolitan area of San Salvador has a population of 1,767,102. Geographically, the capital city of El Salvador is located at an average elevation of 2,162 ft in the Boquerón Volcano Valley. The region experiences high seismic activity. San Salvador’s population mainly comprises of mestizos (about 86%). Spanish is the most spoken language in the city.

History Of The Capital City Of El Salvador

Prior to the Spanish conquest, the area near the present city of San Salvador was known as Cuzcatlan that served as the capital of the indigenous Pipil people. Once these people abandoned their settlement to avoid Spanish rule, the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado and his associates started developing the abandoned settlement. On April 1, 1525, the town of San Salvador was formally established in Ciudad Vieja, an archeological site. It was later shifted to the more spacious and fertile site of Valle de Las Hamacas. San Salvador was declared a city in 1546. The city served as the Cuscatlán province’s capital during the Spanish rule. Between 1834 to 1839, it was also the capital of Central America’s United Provinces. Since 1839, San Salvador has served as the capital of El Salvador.

Present-Day Role Of The City As The Capital Of El Salvador

Today, San Salvador serves as El Salvador’s political, cultural, financial, and educational hub. The city houses the Casa Presidencial, the official residence of El Salvador’s President who serves as the Head of State of the nation. The city also hosts the La Asamblea Legislativa, the nation’s Legislative Assembly. The Supreme Court of El Salvador or the Corte Suprema de Justicia is also located in San Salvador. The "beta" global city is also regarded as a financial hub of Central America. San Salvador has also served as the sporting venue for many of the international and national games like the Caribbean and Central American Games. The 1975 Miss Universe pageant was also held here. Many international congregations are held in this city.

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