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El Salvador's civilization dates back to the precolumbiam epoch, some 1500 years B.C. as it has been evidenced by the
relics found in the Tazumal ruins of Chalchuapa.The first inhabitants were Pokomanes,Lencas and Choitis followes later by
Uluas and Pipiles who settled down in the western and central zones of the country, in the middle of the XI century. The
Spanish chief steerman,Andres Nino leading an expedition,disembarked the 31st of May 1522 on the Meanguera Island
located in the Gulf of Fonseca, which was the first Salvadoren land visited by the Spaniards. In June 1524,the Spanish
captain Pedro de Alvarado began a war of conquest agains the native tribes of the country,called at that time "Cuzcatlan",
which means "Land of Precious Things".After 30 days of bloody battles in which many indians were killed, including the
leader of Cuzcatlan,Atlacatl,Pedro de Alvarado defeated and wounded in his left thigh, abandoned the fight and retreated to
Guatemala,commissioning his brother Gonzalo in continuing the Cuzcatlan conquest, and later on his cousin Diego who
stablished the hammlet of San Salvador in April 1528, at the site called La Bermuda,close to the city of Suchitoto.San
Salvador was moved to its present site in 1540, and on September 1546,received the title of city,bestowed by Emperor
Carlos V of Germany and 1st of Spain. During the following years,the country evolved under the Spanis domination. and
toward the end of the XIX,century's first decade, a feeling of freedom rose among the people of Central America, and the
time to break the link of slavery arrived at dawn of November 5th 1811, when father Jose Matias Delgado rang the bells of
La Merced church calling for insurrection. After many inside struggles,the Act of Independence of Central America was
signed in Guatemala the 15th of September 1821, which is also the Independence Day of El Salvador.
Taken from:  El Salvador:English Version

Size: Approximately 21,041 square kilometers.

Topography: Two parallel mountain ranges running east to west divide country into two regions: mountains and central plateau, and coastal plains (Pacific lowlands).  Southern mountain range made up of more than twenty volcanoes. Eruptions rare, but earthquakes frequent because of location at conjunction of three geologic plates.  Rio Lempa only navigable river. Numerous volcanic lakes in interior highlands.

Climate: Tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons; rainy season (winter) from May to October, dry season (summer) from November through April. Temperatures vary with elevation and show little seasonalchange. Pacific lowlands uniformly hot; central plateau and mountain areas more moderate.
Taken from:   El Salvador - A Country Study
 

Population: Population estimated at 5.4 million in 1988. Rate of annual growth estimated at 2.4 percent in 1980s.

Language: Spanish official language and spoken by virtually all Salvadorans. Some traces of Indian languages, but no segment of population linguistically distinct.

Ethnic Groups: In late 1980s; about 89 percent of population mestizo (Spanish and Indian), 10 percent Indian, and 1 percent
unmixed Caucasian.

Education and Literacy: Approximately 69 percent of population ten years or older considered literate in early 1980s. Higher rate of literacy in urban than in rural areas. Public education system included one year of preschool, nine years of basic education, and three years secondary education. Major universities National University of El Salvador and Jesuit-run Central American University Jose Simeon Canas.

Health: Serious malnutrition, particularly among young children. Malaria, enteritis, and pneumonia most serious diseases. Medical attention to general population inadequate, especially in rural areas.

Religion: Overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, although Protestant missionary groups, especially evangelicals, active and continued to make significant number of converts.
Taken from: El Salvador - A Country Study