Welcome to El Salvador - The Country of Your Life!

">singer ), Jean-Claude Killy ( 1968 Olympic champ ),
The Country of Your Life!Shakira ( Colombia's singer ), Susan Strasberg (
El Salvador is considered one of the main countriesactress ), and Leon Uris ( author ).
with most activity and history in Central America, aIndeed San Salvador is one of the loveliest places in
fascinating region in the Americas. From San Salvador,Latin America. It is home to some of the best hotels,
the capital city of the country, to Ahuachapan andrestaurants, discos, and famous sports venues. In
Santa Ana, El Salvador is a place of friendly peopleaddition to offering excellent dinning and nightlife, SS is
and beauty, where there are several historical anda city of art and culture.
natural wonders.San Salvador, the biggest city in the nation, is a very
You may think that El Salvador - it is called sometimeslively city with rich history, traditions and culture, where
"the Switzerland of the Americas or "the country withyou can find some of the best museums and galleries
a smile" -- is one of the largest nations in Latinin Central America.
America, but that isn't true. It is smaller than NewThe David J. Guzman National Museum, for example,
Hampshire. However, in many aspects, it is unique inpresents archeological evidence of the various cultures
the Americas. ES, for example, has more rivers perin the country -From Pokamanes, Lencas, to Chortis
square mile than many European nations andand Pipiles. The splendor of ancient El Salvador! The
American states. Here you can also see 200 kinds ofcollection includes many world-class sculptures: The
orchids!legendary Gran Estela de Tazumal, the Chac-Mool, the
Despite its size, El Salvador has several wildlifeCasa Blanca, the Disco Solar de Cara Sucia, the Xipe
sanctuaries. The Central American nation, for example,Toteo -- one of the most extensive in Central
has six national parks for the practice of ecotourism:America. This museum was founded by the president
The Impossible National Park, the Cerro Verde NationalRafael Zaldívar in 1883.
Park - here you'll find 17 different types ofTraditional Markets
hummingbirds --, the Deininger National Park, theThere are several markets in El Salvador. In these
Nancuchimane National Park, The Laguna del Jocotalmarkets you can buy almost anything. Because of this,
National Park and El Bosque Nebuloso de Montecristo.several tourists visit the markets. From six in the
Certainly each place is better than the other, and eachmorning to midday, every day, Salvadorans, for
one is a national symbol of El Salvador. Places like theexample, sell fresh fish, lines, herbs, candy, towel and
Campana San Andres Pyramids, The Panchimalcotropical fruit. As well as shoes, shirts and souvenirs,
Village, La Costa del Sol, The Ruins of Tazumal, Theyou can buy coffee, shrimps and popusas - the most
Cerro Verde National Park and Lake Ilopango ( thefamous local food ( corn-meal cakes stuffed with
country's largest freshwater lake ) are just a few ofchopped meat, beans and spices ). There's also
them. In addition to this, here there's one of the latestIndigenous craft -- Salvadoran serapes, paintings,
archaeological discoveries in world -- The Joya ofkitchenware, and big vases.
Ceren, one of the wonders of the Americas and theJoya de Ceren -- The Pompeii of the Americas
most visible physical legacy of the civilization Mayan onWould you like to visit El Salvador's largest open-air
El Salvador.museum? Well, you can visit Joya de Ceren, one of
This country has got the lot -- from exotic restaurants,the wonders of the Western Hemisphere. Here you
luxury hotels, notable museums, and churches tocan see a magnificent collection of Mayan art, (
statues and clubs.ceramic materials, bowls, sculptures, amulets and other
El Salvador is one of Latin America's most stable andobjects ). Located only 30km to the northeast of San
peaceful nations. This Central American nation is aSalvador, it -- also known as "the Pompeii of the
democratic country since 1984. Because of this, ES isAmericas" -- was discovered in 1976. This enigmatic
destination of choice for tourists and businesswonder has captured the attention of tourists.
travellers alike.Joya de Ceren was a Mayan farming village. Their
Since the 1990s El Salvador became one of the majorfunction in the economy of this huge area was some
trading destinations in Central America, particularly forways comparable to that of the Egyptians in North
tourists from the United States and Europe. TheAfrica. In 600 AD, Laguna Caldera erupted, destroying
national government used much of the country'sthe Mayan city of Ceren. This wonder was declared
economic resources to help make one of LatinCultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO in 1993.
America's popular tourist centers.These ruins has sent positive messages about El
Dazzling San SalvadorSalvador's tourism, culture and history across the
The growth of San Salvador as a tourist destinationworld.
came in the 1970s when it hosted two internationalThe Land of Volcanoes
events.El Salvador is home to some of Latin America's most
El Salvador, a Hispanic nation since 1821, made thespectacular volcanoes -- many of them are extinct.
world headlines when San Salvador provided theHere you can see more than 25 volcanoes, including
setting for the 1975 Miss Universe pageant. ThisIzalco, Santa Ana, San Miguel, Usulutan, Tecapa,
telecast attracted one of the largest audiences inConchagua and San Vicente. The largest volcano is
television in America in 1975, and given ES a hugeSan Miguel (6,994 feet high), but the most famous is
boost in marketing itself to the world. Before that year,Izalco, which is one of the world's most beautiful
only five other cities did it -- Long Beach ( California,volcanoes. Between 1770 and 1957 Izalco began one
US ), Miami ( Florida, US ), Athens ( Greece ) andof the largest eruptions in history. The Izalco volcano is
Manila ( Philippines ). Thanks to its friendly atmosphere,the natural wonder that best symbolizes El Salvador in
exotic wonders and rich history, San Salvador wasthe world.
chosen as host city of Miss Universe 1975. SS wasLos Chorros
elected on the basis of the detailed report andLocated a few hours from Nueva San Salvador, this
presentation made by the MUO's Evaluationpark is a tropical paradise, with palm trees, coconut
Commission for the 1975 Miss Universe Pageant.trees, fruit trees and other exotic plants. It charms
Months later, San Salvador 's beauty contest successoutsiders for its waterfalls and swimming pools. Within
inspired the Mexican government to submit an officialit tourists find comfort, peace, tranquility and
bid to the Miss Universe Organization to host the 1978personalized services. All these characteristics make
Miss Universe.Los Chorros the perfect place to visit and explore.
In 1977, another important landmark was passed whenThe Miss Universe 1975 Swimsuit Photo Shoot was
SS hosted the Softball World Championships. Otherheld in Los Chorros.
memorable event were the Central American Games.La Costa del Sol
Certainly San Salvador possesses recognizedCosta del Sol is beloved by foreign tourists for its
know-how in organizing international events. Duringamazing beaches, water sports and tropical
these international events, many people had thelandscapes. The weather is perfect for beach holidays.
chance to enjoy the Salvadoran hospitality, the richHere you can go swimming or just relax. Certainly it is
history and the charm of the capital.an excellent place for relaxing with an interesting
In 1975 Ernest Borgnine, who went on to win onemagazine and a coffee cup. The coffee is so good
Oscar and to appear in huge Hollywood films likehere that many people think that the best coffee in the
"Marty " ( 1955 ), "McHale's Navy" ( 1962 ), "All Quiet onworld is from El Salvador!
the Western Front" ( 1979 ) and "All Dogs Go toCosta del Sol is also indeed a perfect place for sports
Heaven : The Series" (1999), visited San Salvador. Butlovers. Fort water lovers there is snorkeling, sailing,
Borgnine isn't the only American star who visited thissurfing -- it's a popular sport among foreign and natives
city. Top entertainers -- from every field of music and- and deep sea fishing.It is a very lively beach, where
cinematography, Broadway-caliber plays, culture, etc --there are many snack bars, seafood restaurants and
and star athletes have visited San Salvador, includingplenty nightlife.
Marcel Marceau ( mime artist ), Sarah Vaughan (