El Salvador
Republic of El Salvador
People: Salvadoran
El Salvador is located in Central America and has a population of around 6 million. Its capital city is San Salvador, and the most widely spoken official language is Spanish.
By the numbers, El Salvador is the 114th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.08% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 149th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 287 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
El Salvador — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of El Salvador |
|---|---|
| Capital City | San Salvador |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | Central America |
| Population | 6,029,976 |
| Area | 21,041 km² |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) $ |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Dialling Code | +503 |
| Internet TLD | .sv |
| Timezone | UTC-06:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | SV / SLV |
| Borders | Guatemala, Honduras |
Travelling to El Salvador?
Heading there soon? A guide to what to pack for El Salvador makes sure the essentials are covered. Pack a universal travel adapter for your devices. You can also check clothing and shoe sizes in El Salvador before you shop, and look up popular foods from El Salvador if you want to know what's on the menu.
Leaving your car at a UK airport? Compare off-airport parking with Airparks before you fly to El Salvador. Thinking about staying longer? Some travellers fund extended trips by teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate.
Getting to and around El Salvador
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Planning a trip to El Salvador?
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Frequently Asked Questions about El Salvador
What is the capital and currency of El Salvador?
The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador and the currency is the United States dollar (USD), symbol $.
What is the capital of El Salvador?
The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador.
What currency does El Salvador use?
El Salvador uses the United States dollar (USD, symbol: $).
What language do they speak in El Salvador?
The official language of El Salvador is Spanish.
What is the dialling code for El Salvador?
The international dialling code for El Salvador is +503.
What side of the road does El Salvador drive on?
El Salvador drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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