Country
overview
Brief History of el salvador
In 1524, Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado failed to seize the region because of the Pipil warriors, but he returned and conquered the country and named it El Salvador meaning “The Savior”. In 1821, El Salvador gains independence from Spain. Conflict develops over territory's incorporation into Mexican empire under Creole General Agustin de Iturbide. In 1823, El Salvador becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America, but it becomes fully independent after the dissolution of the United Provinces of Central America (1840). In the 1932 Salvadoran peasant uprising, also known as the La Matanza (the massacre), about 30,000 indigenous people and political rivalries were exiled, imprisoned and murdered. In 1979, the reformist Revolutionary Government Junta took control and both the extreme left and extreme right disagreed with how things are going in the government resulting to further political violence that eventually became a civil war that lasted for 12 years. After the war, a Truth Commission under the UN sponsorship was established to guard further human rights violation especially by military officers. Also it helped in identifying flaws in the judiciary and proposing solutions. The recommendation to replace all magistrates on the Supreme Courts in 1994 is said to be the most remarkable advice both the Truth Commission and the Joint Group have made.
Geography
El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is bordering the North Pacific Ocean and is between Guatemala and Honduras. It is the only country without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea. It is mostly mountains with a narrow coastal belt and central plateau known as the Land of Volcanoes. There are frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Relationships Surrounding Countries:
exports: knit t-shirts, coffee, knit socks and hoisery, raw sugar, electrical capacitors
top 5 export destinations: United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Relationships Surrounding Countries:
exports: knit t-shirts, coffee, knit socks and hoisery, raw sugar, electrical capacitors
top 5 export destinations: United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica
Flag
The blue stripes represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and the white stripe symbolizes peace. The state coat of arms is based on the coat of arms of the former United Provinces of Central America. The coat of the arms shows a triangle, which represents equality and the 3 branches of El Salvador’s government. Inside the triangle are 5 volcanoes, which symbolize the five former members of the federation, bordered by the blue of the ocean and sea. The triangle contains symbols of liberty, ideals of the people and peace, which are represented by a red cap, golden rays and the rainbow. The triangle also shows the date that El Salvador gained independence from Spain. Underneath the triangle is El Salvador’s national motto, which translates to ‘God, Union and Liberty.’ The fourteen clusters of leaves represent the 14 departments or states of El Salvador.
Demographics
Culture
Religion:
As stated before, most of the El Salvador people are Catholics. Their most popular prayer recited is the Hail Mary.
As stated before, most of the El Salvador people are Catholics. Their most popular prayer recited is the Hail Mary.
"Dios te salve, María, llena eres de gracia,
El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tu eres entre todas las mujeres,
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
Ruega por nosotros pecadores,
Ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen."
El Señor es contigo.
Bendita tu eres entre todas las mujeres,
Y bendito es el fruto de tu vientre, Jesús.
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
Ruega por nosotros pecadores,
Ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amen."
Folk Dancing:
Pupusas:
El Salvador is famous for its food, specifically pupusas. Pupusas are tortillas stuffed with cheese, meat, or beans. It can be accompanied with salsa or cabbage.
El Salvador is famous for its food, specifically pupusas. Pupusas are tortillas stuffed with cheese, meat, or beans. It can be accompanied with salsa or cabbage.
Sources:
"Timeline: El Salvador." BBC News. BBC, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
"A Brief History of El Salvador." A Brief History of El Salvador. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
"Mayan Ruins." » El Salvador. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.
"El Salvador." History of. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.
"Timeline: El Salvador." BBC News. BBC, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
"A Brief History of El Salvador." A Brief History of El Salvador. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
"Mayan Ruins." » El Salvador. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.
"El Salvador." History of. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.