El Salvador is located in Central America, and its capital is San Salvador. It has a population of approximately 6,338,193 and covers an area of about 21,040 km². Its official currency is the United States dollar (USD).
What stands out
People & place
301 /km² across 21,040 km²
El Salvador has a recorded population of 6,338,193 and a reported surface area of 21,040 km².
Economic snapshot
$35.36 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $35.36 billion and GDP per capita at $5,580 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Practical reference
United States dollar (USD)
El Salvador uses United States dollar (USD), calling code +503, internet domain .sv.
About El Salvador
El Salvador, the smallest yet most densely populated nation in Central America, packs a vibrant mix of volcanic landscapes, colonial heritage, and a warm, resilient people into a compact 21,000‑square‑kilometer canvas.
Dominated by a chain of volcanoes, the country’s dramatic topography includes the towering San Salvador volcano, a rugged coastal plain along the Pacific, and lush highland valleys that give way to fertile coffee‑growing lands. Its numerous rivers, such as the Lempa, carve deep canyons that enrich the terrain’s diversity.
El Salvador’s culture pulses with vivid colors and rhythmic beats: traditional folk dances like the ‘La Danza de los Diablitos,’ a cuisine of pupusas stuffed with cheese, beans, and chicharrón, and festivals that blend Catholic traditions with indigenous customs. Street markets buzz with handcrafted textiles and the aroma of freshly roasted coffee, reflecting a proud culinary and artistic legacy.
A pivotal moment came in 1992 when the Chapultepec Peace Accords ended a 12‑year civil war, ushering in a new era of democratic governance and social reconstruction that reshaped the nation’s trajectory toward stability and growth.
Key facts
• El Salvador is the world’s leading producer of pupusas, a national dish that has earned UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage status.
• Population: approximately 6.5 million people; Area: about 21,041 km², making it the smallest country in Central America.
• The country boasts the world’s youngest average age, with about 27% of its citizens under 15, reflecting a youthful, dynamic society.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
El Salvador has a recorded population of approximately 6,338,193 people.
How big is El Salvador?
El Salvador covers an area of about 21,040 km².
What is the population density of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a population density of roughly 301 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $35.36 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of El Salvador?
El Salvador has a GDP per capita of approximately $5,580.
What currency is used in El Salvador?
El Salvador uses the United States dollar (USD), with the symbol $.
Where is El Salvador located?
El Salvador is located in Central America, Americas.
What are people from El Salvador called?
People from El Salvador are referred to as Salvadoran.
What is the phone calling code for El Salvador?
The international dialing code for El Salvador is +503.
What is the internet domain for El Salvador?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for El Salvador is .sv.
What time zone is El Salvador in?
El Salvador uses the America/El_Salvador time zone.
What is El Salvador known for?
El Salvador, the smallest yet most densely populated nation in Central America, packs a vibrant mix of volcanic landscapes, colonial heritage, and a warm, resilient people into a compact 21,000‑square‑kilometer canvas.
Central America