El Salvador History!We have written this blog for everyone interested in learning more about El Salvador's lovely places. The country of
El Salvador has unbelievable scenery's that make anyone fall in love with it. I'm amazed every time I have the opportunity to visit this beautiful country and its habitats. Here's a little bit of history, culture, attractions, and many more attributes of this gorgeous country of El Salvador;
Most of
El Salvador (’the savior’ in Spanish) is volcanic. The country has been racked by civil war and a succession of natural disasters which have left it physically devastated and psychologically traumatized.
In the 1920s, the military entered the political arena (by virtue of successfully putting down a farm workers’ revolt led by Augustin Farabundo Marti) and has retained a central role ever since. The economic problems grew throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The 1980 assassination of Archbishop Romero (a leading critic of civil rights abuses) by right-wing elements, accelerated the country’s plunge into civil war.
As the war spread throughout the country during the 1980s, the government received huge amounts of US military and civil aid. A formal ceasefire, under UN auspices and supervised by a joint forum of the two sides, entitled the National Commission for the Consolidation of Peace (COPAZ), came into force at the beginning of 1992.
Political differences were temporarily set aside in January 2001, when the country was struck by a massive earthquake, which killed several thousand and left tens of thousands homeless. The reconstruction period was overshadowed once again by the legacy of the civil war. There were repeated clashes over compensation, between ex-fighters and security forces, while in 2002, several former generals in exile in the USA were convicted in US courts of human rights abuses.
Despite the scars left by civil war, poverty and natural disasters, visitors will appreciate the resilience and optimism such tragedy seems to have inspired in
El Salvador. Poor communities such as Ilobasco and La Palma have become renowned for their handicrafts and folk art. Even though crime is still a problem for those visiting the country, the National Civilian Police (PNC), created in the wake of war, is working on improving safety.
The country’s major attractions include volcanoes, mountains (especially those in Cerro Verde National Park), beaches, tropical nature preserves and archaeological sites from the Maya civilization.
GeographyEl Salvador is located in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanoes. The highest are Santa Ana at 2,365m (7,759ft), San Vicente at 2,182m (7,159ft) and San Salvador at 1,943m (6,375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone.
l Salvador’s infrastructure was badly affected by the earthquake in Jan 2001. This has resulted in years of ongoing work and you should consult Government travel warnings for up-to-date information on specific conditions in the country.
San SalvadorSituated 680m (2240ft) above sea level, the capital, San Salvador, is the second-largest city in Central America, with a population of over 600,000. Founded by the Spaniard Pedro De Alvarado in 1525, the city is a blend of modern buildings and colonial architecture, broad plazas and monuments, amusement parks and shopping centers. The most important public buildings are downtown. Standing within a short distance of each other are the Catedral Metropolitana (metropolitan cathedral), the Palacio Nacional (national palace), the National Treasury and the Teatro Nacional (national theater). Among the many beautiful colonial churches to be seen are St Ignatius Loyola (once the shrine of the ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’) with a traditional Spanish colonial facade, the Juayua and the Suchitoto. The amusement park on San Jacinto Mountain can be reached by cable car and gives a panoramic view of the city.
Balboa Park, 11km (7 miles) from the capital, and the 1200m (3900ft) rock formation, the Puerta del Diablo (devil’s doorway), just south of Balboa Park, also give a bird’s-eye view of San Salvador.
ExcursionsFrom
San Salvador, excursions can be made by road to Panchimalco, 15km (9 miles) south of the capital, around which live the Pancho Indians (pure-blooded descendants of the original Pipil tribes), who retain many of their old traditions and dress. The village of San Sebastián, approximately one hour by car from
San Salvador, is known for its beautiful woven materials. The village is situated near Lake Ilopango, the largest of
El Salvador’s lakes, surrounded by volcanoes and mountains, and is a popular destination for outdoor and watersports’ enthusiasts.
La
Costa del Sol, excursions out of San Salvador is approximately a 55 minutes drive to the coast. There's the famous "puntilla" (tip in spanish) costa del sol, which is the tip of the coast, approximately 1 hour and thirty minute drive, here's where the lake meets the ocean's point break! A gorgeous and unbelievable sight at dawn time.
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