Study, Work or Volunteer in El Salvador

The Republic of El Salvador is a country located in Central America, bordering the Pacific Ocean with Guatemala Honduras. It is sometimes called the “Tom Thumb of the Americas” because of its size; it is the smallest country in continental America. El Salvador has a tropical atmosphere, rainy season usually starts on May and ends in October while dry season begins in November and lasts until April. The country is known as a surfing mecca; places like La Libertad, El Sunzal, El Este, and El Zonte are known all over the world for its spectacular ambiance. Major cities include San Salvador (capital city), Santa Tecla, Acajutla, Santa Rosa de Lima and Puerto Cutuco.

El Salvador gained its independence from Spain in September 15, 1821 and is celebrated as a national holiday every year. Its government takes in the form of a presidential republic; the President is the head of the state and of the government. The current president is Antonio Saca of the ARENA party who won the 2004 presidential election. By mid 2000, El Salvador has signed various free trade agreements that aim to boost the economy including the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and free trade negotiations with Canada and the European Union.

With majority of its population practicing Roman Catholicism, it is no surprise that the said church plays a very significant role in the Salvadoran culture. Many celebrations and national holidays are observed to honor or commemorate patron saints such as the August Festivals (week-long festivity for the patron saint of El Salvador – El Salvador del Mundo), Festival Day of the Virgin Guadalupe, Holy Week, The Day of the Cross, and Christmas Day. The official language of the country is Spanish; the local Spanish dialect is called Caliche. In some minor communities in western El Salvador, an indigenous language still spoken called Nahuat is still spoken by the elderly.