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Major Cities of El Salvador

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The country of El Salvador consists of several major cities and regions. The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador, however, there are many other popular cities and regions. Whether you are looking for rich history or natural beauty, the cities and regions of El Salvador will not soon disappoint you. Below is a brief description of each of these major cities and regions:

San Salvador

San Salvador is the largest city of El Salvador and the second largest city in Central America. The population is impressive with 1,479,000 people. The Spaniard Pedro de Alvarado established the city in 1525. It became the capital of the country in 1839, and has a history plagued with natural disasters and civil contention. The city is located in the southwestern region of El Salvador and is a combination of broad plazas and monuments and contemporary buildings and colonial architecture. Its noisy streets, pollution, and ruined buildings also mark San Salvador.

The city has undergone several reconstructions as earthquakes and civil wars within the country have been the source of significant destruction. San Salvador's downtown region contains numerous high-rise buildings, however, most of the historic landmarks have been destroyed as a result of the earthquakes that have pounded the city. The city does contain attractions tourists will appreciate such as the National Treasury, the large shopping center Plaza Barrios, the cathedral Palacio Nacional, and the National Theatre. The Pan-American Highway passes through San Salvador, joining it to other metropolitan regions in Central America and the United States. The city continues to be the economic center of the nation as one half of El Salvador's wealth comes from San Salvador. The city manufactures textiles, soaps, beer, and tobacco.

Santa Ana

Santa Ana is the second largest city in El Salvador, next to San Salvador, and is located 64 kilometers west from the capital city. The first name given to the city was "Ciudad de Sacerdotisas," which means "City of Priestesses". It was later given the name "Santa Ana" by the bishop Brother Bernardino Villalpando. On May 22, 1824, the city was proclaimed the capital of the province of Sonsonate by an Executive Order. Twenty years later the province of Santa Ana was birthed.

The city boasts a population of 490,000 inhabitants, and is located 665 meters above sea level encompassing 2,023 square kilometers. It is known today as a region abounding in sugar, coffee, and cattle due to its excellent location in the Cihautehuacan valley. Santa Ana is much more tranquil than San Salvador, and its climate is milder. This makes the city an excellent location to come and relax, whether you are strolling the streets appreciating the ambiance within or appreciating the more flamboyant buildings in the city. Visitors to the city can visit the two volcanoes of Santa Ana and Izalco or the neighboring forest reserve Parque Nacional Cerro Verde. Santa Ana is also known for its fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture such as Catedral de Santa Ana and Teatro de Santa Ana. Another great aspect of Santa Ana is its Coatepeque Lake.

San Miguel

San Miguel is the third most significant and densely populated city in El Salvador. The city is an integral focal point for the chemical, coffee, and textile industry of the country. San Miguel holds an exciting carnival in the month of November. The population of San Miguel as of 1998 was 227,170 in the city. The San Miguel volcano is located nearby.

Ahuachapán

The city of Ahuachapán is made up of over 280,000 people, and is located about ten miles from the western border with Guatemala. Ahuahcapán is recognized for the numerous steam vents that are visible throughout the surrounding mountains as a result of the local geothermal activity. The city is also only an hour away from the national wildlife park El Imposible. It was at Ahuachapán that the famous Salvadoran poet Alfredo Espino was born.

Nejapa

Nejapa is a municipality in the San Salvador branch of El Salvador. The people from this region are referred to as Nejapenses. The city is home to one of its most recognizable traditions "Las Bolas De Fuego", or "Balls of Fire", which is commemorated August 31 of each year. There are two known origins to the tradition, one historical and the other religious. The religious adaptation is that "San Jeronimo" was battling against the Devil with balls of fire. Others believe in the historical version that recounts a volcanic eruption that forced the villagers of the ancient Nejapa village to run for their lives and put down roots at Nejapa's present location.

Sonsonate

Sonsonate is the heart of a prosperous agricultural district, and one of the most active manufacturing towns in the republic. Located on the river Sensunapan and the railway from San Salvador to the Pacific port of Acajutla, Sonsonate manufactures pottery, cotton cloth, sugar, cigars and spirits, and shoes.

San Vincente

San Vincente is the ideal place to visit one of the numerous cotton, sugar, and coffee plantation in the country. The city is a municipality in the San Vicente department of El Salvador.

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