My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
13 50 N, 88 55 W
Area: 

total: 21,041 sq km
country comparison to the world: land: 20,721 sq km
water: 320 sq km
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
307 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Current Weather
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands
mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
arable land: 31.37%
permanent crops: 11.88%
other: 56.75% (2005)
450 sq km (2003)
25.2 cu km (2001)
total: 1.28 cu km/yr (25%/16%/59%)
per capita: 186 cu m/yr (2000)
known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: El Salvador experiences significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m, 6,211 ft), 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, 6,988 ft), 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
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
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
smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea
