El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war starting in 1980, which cost about 75,000 lives, ended in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.

Salvadorans fled during 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, and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador’s population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of the country’s wealth,  and are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.

El Salvador is the smallest (and densest) Central American country. It has 14 departments (States) and borders Guatemala and Honduras.

49.8% of this population is under 25 years old and only 13% are over 55.

El Salvador is the highest concentration of people per area of all the Central American Countries by far.  See the graph below.