Central America.

GMT - 6.

21,040 sq km (8,124 sq miles).

7 million (2005).

322.7 per sq km.

San Salvador. Population: 2.2 million.

El Salvador is situated in Central America and is bordered north and west by Guatemala, north and east by Honduras, and south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Most of the country is volcanic uplands, along which run two almost parallel rows of volcanos; the highest are Santa Ana at 2,365m (7,759ft), San Vicente at 2,182m (7,159ft) and San Salvador at 1,943m (6,375ft). Volcanic activity has resulted in a thick layer of ash and lava on the highlands, creating a richly mineralised soil, ideal for coffee planting. Lowlands lie to the north and south of the high backbone.

Republic.

President Carlos Mauricio Funes since 2009.

Funes, a former CNN journalist and popular TV host, won a historic victory in the elections of March 2009 when he became El Salvador's first left-wing president as head of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Two months earlier, the party had won a large number of seats in the National Assembly, but not an overall majority. He inherited a country at peace, but politically polarised and with mounting domestic problems, including rising unemployment and organised crime.

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken.

The majority (57%) is Roman Catholic; a growing number (currently 21%) are Protestant.

115 volts AC, 60Hz. Flat two-pin plugs, with or without circular grounding pin.

Visitors should not point their finger or their foot at anyone. First names should not be used to address someone unless invited to do so. Casual wear is acceptable. Men and women who already know each other greet with a kiss on the cheek, otherwise a handshake is always offered as a greeting. Siesta is still a tradition from around 1200-1400, although most shops and restaurants remain open.

Photography: Sensitive (eg military) areas should not be photographed.