El Salvador

Origin

El Salvador’s civilization dates back some 1,500 years BC, way before pre-Hispanic times, as shown in archeological findings in an area known as Tazumal de Chalchuapa. The country’s first inhabitants were Pokomanes, Lencas and Chortis, followed by Uluas and Pipiles, who eventually settled down in central El Salvador in the mid 11th century.


Constitution

The Political Constitution of the Republic of El Salvador, passed in 1982, proclaims the State's obligation to guarantee all residents access to freedom, medical assistance, culture, welfare and social justice. All people have the right to life, to physical and moral integrity, to freedom, security, work, prosperity and possession and to defend themselves. Under the constitution, Salvadoran are entitled to honor, personal and familiar intimacy and to a good personal reputation. Other entitlements require people be restored for moral damages. No one must be stripped of his rights to life, to freedom, to prosperity and possession, nor deprived of any other entitlements prior to a due process of law. Nobody could be tried twice for the same crime.


Government

This is a democratic and representative republic whose three power branches are: executive, headed by the president of the republic and his cabinet; legislative, consisting of an 84-member assembly; and judicial, conformed by a 14-justice Supreme Court plus the president of the republic. The president is elected by popular ballot vote to serve a five-year term in office and he can’t run for a second term.


General History

It is the smallest country of Central America, very populated and the only one that does not have coasts on the Caribbean Sea. A volcano chain crosses the country and the height moderates the climate. El Salvador offers the possibility of knowing something more on the folklore, with a mysterious and exotic past, that thanks to the Mayans, emerges with volcano names in the center of America. The Salvadorans originate in the mixed of the Spanish colonizers with the local indigenous population. Now in El Salvador, the beaches, archaeological sites, towns of craftsmen and cities of great patrimonial value receive thousands of visitors, national as much foreign, and the mighty tourist industry is a faithful witness of the changes who experiences the country. In different residential zones and tourist points there are pretty inns, hotels of first category with restaurants offering Salvadoran and international meals, as well as art galleries promoting national and foreign art. If you like the mountains, excursions on horses can be enjoyed. Another peculiarity of the country is the volcanoes: more than 25 extinct ardent mountains emerge there. Regarding natural wonders, visitors may see the Door of Devil, a natural window formed by two rocky formation, besides the tropical species like monkeys spider or the deer of white tail. Visiting the Mayan ruins can be an option for pre-Hispanic culture lovers such as The Ruins of San Andrés, Jewel of Cerén and Tazumal. The archaeological wealth will lead you to travel from the real world to an indigenous one. Colonial churches, museums and theaters stand out in the architecture and the painting. But if you prefer the beaches, you can go to the Sunzal, the Coast of the Sun, the Cóbanos, the Hawthorn, Cuckoo, Tamarind, among others Finally, visitors can make long haul by the cities and the small localities that offer an important cultural heap in form of churches and cathedrals.