El Salvador

El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. It borders on the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras. It has a population of approximately 7 million people. The capital city of San Salvador is the most important metropolis of the republic. El Salvador eliminated its currency, the colon and adopted the US dollar in 2001. The country has a tropical climate with temperatures varying primarily with elevation and show little seasonal change. Most North American and European tourists are seeking out El Salvador for its beaches and nightlife.

According to the IMF and CIA World Factbook, El Salvador has the third largest economy in the region (behind Costa Rica and Panama) when comparing nominal Gross Domestic Product and purchasing power GDP. El Salvador's tourism industry has also grown dynamically over recent years as the Salvadoran government focuses on developing this sector. The use of the United States dollar as Salvadoran currency and direct flights of 4-6 hours from most cities in the United States are important things to note for first-time travelers from the United States. Urbanization and Americanization of Salvadoran culture has also led to something else that first time tourists might be surprised to see: the abundance of American-style malls, stores, and restaurants in the three main urban areas, especially greater San Salvador.