GeographyEl Salvador
Middle America, borderingNorth Pacific Ocean, between GuatemalaHonduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W
Map references: Central America andCaribbean
Area:
total:
21,040 km²
land:
20,720 km²
water:
320 km²
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total:
545 km
border countries:
Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km
Coastline: 307 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (MayOctober); dry season (NovemberApril); tropical on coast; temperateuplands
Terrain: mostly mountainsnarrow coastal beltcentral plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Cerro El Pital 2,730 m
Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land
Land use:
arable land:
27%
permanent crops:
8%
permanent pastures:
29%
forestswoodland:
5%
other:
31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,200 km² (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: known asLandVolcanoes; frequentsometimes very destructive earthquakesvolcanic activity, also destructive hurricanesvery common.
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contaminationsoils from disposaltoxic wastes; Hurricane Mitch damage
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Law ofSea
Geography - note: smallest Central American countryonly one withoutcoastline on Caribbean Sea
- See also : El Salvador
