San Salvador

For other uses, see San Salvador (disambiguation).

San Salvador
San Salvador downtown
Flag of San Salvador Flag Official seal of San Salvador Seal
Nickname:  San Sivar
Country	El Salvador
Department	San Salvador
Established	1525
Government
• Mayor	Norman Quijano
Area
• City	72.27 km2 (27.90 sq mi)
• Metro	220 km2 (80 sq mi)
Population  (2007)
• Metro	1,756,629
Website	http://www.sansalvador.gob.sv/

San Salvador is the capital and largest city of the nation of El Salvador. It is the third most populous city in Central America; after Guatemala City and Managua. The metro covers an area of 568 km² (220 sq mi) and is home to nearly 1.7 million people. Home to one-half of El Salvador's wealth, the city's per capita GDP - PPP is approximately USD11,200, compared to a national average of USD5,260 (2002).The city has a long history, with origins dating back to the Spanish conquest of the Pipil tribes. [2] The name of the capital city is the Spanish name of "Holy Savior."

History

The origins of the city can be traced to before the Spanish Conquest. It is near the present location of San Salvador that the Pipil groups, established their capital, Cuscatlán. Not much is known about this city, since it was abandoned by its inhabitants in an effort to avoid Spanish rule.

Under the orders of Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Alvarado and Diego de Holgiun were ordered to take the settlement they found and develop it. Diego de Holgiun became the first mayor of San Salvador after the town was founded on April 1, 1525. However, later in the sixteenth century, it was rebuilt and changed locations twice in 1528 and 1545. Originally founded in what is now the archaeological site Ciudad Vieja, north of the present-day city, it was moved to the Valle de Las Hamacas or the Acelhuate Valley, named so due to the intense seismic activity that characterizes it. The new site was chosen as it had more space and more fertile land, thanks to the pristine (though now extremely polluted) Acelhuate River. As the population of the country remained relatively small up until the early twentieth century, the city grew very slowly.

During the presidency of Dr. Rafael Zaldivar on January 1885, businessmen and the president's family built generously the Sara Zaldivar Asylum for Indigents and the Elderly. The president's wife was excited by the project and donated her property in Colonia Costa Rica in San Salvador.

In 1902, the new hospital San Salvador was built and was called Hospital Rosales after its benefactor Dr. Jose Rosales, a banker who gave his fortune to the hospital and to the Orphanage. The hospital was started by president Carlos Ezeta and finished during presidency of Tomas Regalado.

In 1905 president Pedro Jose Escalon started building the National Palace which was built from coffee exportation taxes.

In 1911, the Monument to the Liberty in San Salvador and the Teatro Nacional were built during president Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo.

In 1917, an earthquake damaged the capital during the Carlos Melendez presidency.

On December 4, 1931, after a coup president Arturo Araujo was ousted by the military. As the Times Magazine says, the military were not paid their salary for some months and decided to revolt installing a Military Directorate. The Directorate named then Vice-president Maximiliano Hernandez Martinez as president and Araujo went to exile. Martinez regime lasted from Dec. 1931 to 1944.

In 1964, the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) won the Mayor elections with Engineer Jose Napoleon Duarte, he was elected freely because the president Adalberto Rivera let democracy happen in mayoralties and the National Assembly elections. Jose Napoleon Duarte was Mayor in San Salvador from 1964 to 1970. He built the Pancho Lara park in Vista Hermosa neighborhood, renewed the Electricity System in the capital. He also started the Evening Adult Schools helping a lot of adult workers study during evenings and this helped a lot in getting new technicians.

In 1969, after the War in Honduras was over and many soldiers came back to the country there was a huge celebration in the National Stadium welcoming the national heroes. This story is in Jose Napoleon Duarte biography. Boulevard de los Heroes (Heroes Blvd) was named after the Salvadorean soldiers who fought in Honduras.

In 1986, a major earthquake destroyed many government buildings in the capital and other important structures such as the "El Siglo" Building, once a well-known department store within the city. The capital was still in ruins up to the end of the 1990s. Many homeless children lived inside the ruins. People would call them "Niños huelepega" (Children addicted to glue smelling).

In 1986, Mayor Morales Erlich decided to close some streets in downtown San Salvador for a Farmer's Market; this has resulted in major traffic jams affecting the downtown area ever since. Ing. Morales Ehrlich gave his explanation on Feb. 10, 2010 about his two terms as Mayor of San Salvador. (http://www.elfaro.net/es/201002/opinion/1113/)

El Salvador celebrated the Peace Accords on Thursday, January 16 1992, after the signing of those accords in Mexico, it was seen by TV on a national holiday. There were crowds of people celebrating this special event in downtown San Salvador in Plaza Gerardo Barrios and in La Libertad Park. It was the beginning of a new stage in the history of our country after actually 22 years of conflict between the radical movements of the Left, the death squads (the ultra-Right), and the Army. It was a time of glory and blessing for the people of El Salvador. The white doves of peace flew in the event.

In San Salvador are the tombs of many famous Salvadorean presidents: Matias Delgado and Manuel Jose Arce (La Merced Church), Francisco Morazan and Gerardo Barrios (Los Ilustres Cemetery), and Jose Napoleon Duarte (Jardines del Recuerdo Cemetery).

Geography

The city's altitude average of 560 meters above sea level, gaining altitude toward 1000 meters above sea level at the foothills of the Quezaltepec, or San Salvador, volcano. In fact, the valley got its nickname from the Spaniards who called the area "El Valle de las Hamacas" (The Valley of the Hammocks) due to its constant seismic activity. Just East of the city, lies Lake Illopango, the largest volcanic lake in the nation.

Climate

San Salvador is mainly hot, the coolest months being November through February. The temperature varies widely between midday and midnight, due to changing levels of humidityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=San_Salvador&action=edit throughout the day. The highest reading ever recorded in San Salvador was 38.5 °C (101.3 °F), the lowest was 8.2 °C (46.8 °F). The highest dew point was 27 °C (81 °F) and the lowest −10 °C (14 °F). San Salvador has two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season lasts from October through March, and the rainy From April through September. Sometimes, when strong cold fronts affect El Salvador during the dry season, the dew point may fall to temperatures below 10°C, an event that would be too cold for most of the inhabitants, but this rarely has any effect due to the fact that humidity remains low, which means the dew point remains less relevant, therefore a 7°C-10°C dew point is actually felt as a 15°C-18°C temperature.

City Skyline

Terra Alta apartments

Contrary to other cities, the financial center of San Salvador is not located downtown, but at the periphery, especially towards the northwestern sections of the city. Downtown or "Old" San Salvador possesses many historical buildings, including the National Palace, the National Theatre, the Plaza Libertad, and the Cathedral. Due to continous seismic activity, Downtown San Salvador has currently no major high rise buildings. However, improving building technologies are allowing the construction of taller earthquake-resistant buildings in San Salvador. In fact, many of the newest high-rise bulidings are appearing towards the western sectors of the city, especially around the areas of the Zona Rosa (or "Alive Zone"), San Benito, Escalón and Antiguo Cuscatlán. Buildings, such as El Pedregal, Terra Alta, Campestre 105, Complex Las Americas (Telefonica Towers), Edificio Avante, the World Trade Center and many others are shaping the city scape of San Salvador.

Urban Development

WTC

Telefonica

Earlier colonial urban developments for the city of San Salvador failed to predict the growth of the city into great urban areas in the following centuries. Thus, the many narrow streets that span the city create traffic problems and overcrowded sidewalks. As the urban expansion of San Salvador continues, newer and better facilities and amenities are needed to cope with such expansion. There is a strong development of the colony Escalon colonies arise: Country, El Mirador, Miramonte, Yumuri is built Metrocentro the Government Center, Boulevard de Los Heroes, Colonia La Esperanza, Zacamil Cologne, Colonia Universitaria, Colonia Miravalle, Colonia San Francisco, Cologne: The Mercedes, Rome, La Mascota, Jardines de Guadalupe, La Sultana, Montserrat, Vista Hermosa, Jardines de la Hacienda, Jardines de Cuscatlan Merliot Home Town, is built the International Fair, Tutunichapa Boulevard, Light Source and the U.S. Embassy on the 25th Ave North, also builds the central market. In the decade of 1960-1970 the expansion is more weighted to the north and south, while from 1970 to 1980 growth occurs further south to the north and west, are built colonies Miravalle, Montebello, Satellite, Maquilishuat, San Mateo Lomas de San Francisco, Alta Mira, Loma Linda, La Floresta, Jardines de la Libertad. Construction of Highway South, home to Comalapa Highway, and the Alameda Juan Pablo II. The expansion of San Salvador during this period, is in all directions, but more in the direction of the volcano of San Salvador, this meant on the one hand, the expansion of the middle class, military and professional, but on the other hand the housing crisis that was the return of Salvadorans from Honduras. By 1980 the political crisis and the outbreak of civil war produced a decrease in the dynamics of the expansion of urban radio, only build 6 new colonies most middle class [3], however starts much development in the area Soyapango in response to increased internal migration caused by war. Towards the end of the century, the city expansion decreases toward the west, rather there is an expansion of middle-class neighborhoods such as Merliot, Santa Elena and the Tier, but the product of internal migration and cessation of armed conflict occurs a high demand for urban public housing, which gives rise to the huge urban development projects mostly to the east and north, giving rise to the phenomenon of "dormitory towns" and a disorderly urban growth. The major policy change of the twentieth century the peace accords, which signified a transition to democracy as expressed in the transformation of the FMLN political party. The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador is approximately divided into 5 main regions: San Salvador, Apopa, Soyapango, Santa Tecla, and upper San Salvador. It is predicted that the San Salvador Metropolitan Area will reach 2 million in around 2015-2016.

Economy

Grupo TACA, a multinational consortium which includes the national airline of El Salvador, Costa Rica, and other Central American countries, has its headquarters in San Salvador. Unicomer Group has its headquarters in San Salvador.

Grupo TACA headquarters

Shopping

The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador has some of the best malls and life-style centers of Central America such as Multiplaza, La Gran Via, Plaza Futura at WTC San Salvador, El Paseo, Plaza Mundo, Blasilea, Plaza Merliot and Central America's largest Metrocentro San Salvador.

Demographics

Approximately 89% of the population are mestizos (mix of indigenous and European ancestry), 9% are white, and the rest are indigenous and other small ethnic groups, including Chinese, Jewish and Arabs.

Transportation

Road to San Salvador, Leaving from Apopa. Vertical road leads to Quezaltepeque. Volcano of San Salvador is seen in the distance.

Airport

San Salvador was first served by Ilopango International Airport, but in January 31, 1980, Ilopango was substituted by the bigger El Salvador International Airport which took all the International flights. In 2008 the airport served over six million people, far more than it is made to handle. Plans for a bigger more modern airport, are currently being planned.

Roads

Boulevard de Los Próceres

The city offers the widest boulevards in Central America and is served by a railroad that connects to other cities such as Soyapango and Apopa. The main language is Spanish. The railroads were closed down due to poor economic wealth.

Education

San Salvador has some famous private Evangelical high schools such as: Colegio Bautista and Liceo Cristiano Juan Bueno. Also there are Catholic private high schools such as: Liceo Salvadoreño, Externado San Jose, Colegio La Asunción and other non-religious such as Escuela Americana, Escuela Alemana, Academia Británica Cuscatleca and García Flamenco.

San Salvador is home to many higher education institutions. The only public University in the country is Universidad de El Salvador. Other private universities, like Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas and Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado, two of the best universities in Central America, are located in the capital city.

Disasters

See also: Great San Salvador Earthquake

A landslide caused by one of the 2001 El Salvador earthquakes.

The city has suffered from severe earthquakes over the years, the most disastrous of which occurred in 1854. Also worthy of mentioning is the 1917 eruption of the San Salvador volcano, which resulted in three major earthquakes and damaged the city so extensively that the government was forced to move the capital to the present-day city of Santa Tecla, then named Nueva San Salvador. The most recent earthquake, in 2001, resulted in considerable damage, especially in Las Colinas suburb where a landslide destroyed homes and killed many people.

During the 1980s, conflicts in El Salvador erupted into a civil war, and many people fled to the city since most of the fighting occurred outside of it (San Salvador itself was not directly affected by the war until the final offensive of 1989). Hurricanes, tsunamis, and landslides also pose a threat.

Religion

As in much of the country, Roman Catholicism plays a prominent role in San Salvador. The city's own festivities, also known as "La Fiesta de Agosto", center around Jesus Christ, the "Salvador del Mundo", after which the city was named. Famous Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador at the time of his assessination. The current archbishop of El Salvador is José Luis Escobar Alas.

Culture

San Salvador is a rich cultural city, with many places such as the historical centre or downtown, which enmarks some of the most beautiful architectures in town. One of the main historical places of the capital city is the National Theatre. Recently remodelled, it was originally built in 1866. The National Palace keeps its original front, and combines neoclassic, neogothics and renaissance architectural details on its structure.[3].

San Salvador also has other cultural places such as the El Salvador's Art Museum (Museo de Arte de El Salvador, MARTE), the National Museum David J. Guzmán, the Luis Poma's Theatre, and the museum for kids Tin Marin. [4], among others.

Landmarks

• Catedral Metropolitana, Metropolitan Cathedral
• Teatro Nacional de El Salvador, the National Theatre of El Salvador
• Palacio Nacional, the National Palace
• Monumento al Salvador del Mundo, Monument to the Savior of the World
• Casa Presidencial, the Presidential Mansion
• Monumento a La Libertad, Monument to Liberty
• Torre Cuscatlan, a city landmark owned by Citibank
• Multiplaza El Pedregal The tallest building in Central America(excluding Panama) with a height of 104m floor count of 26
• Torre Futura High Rise Building part of the WTC Complex in San Salvador with a floor count of 19
• Estadio Cuscatlan

Gallery of San Salvador

• 
  El Pedregal
• 
  Apartment Tower
• 
  Apartment Complex
• 
  Highway entering San Salvador through Santa Tecla
• 
  Greater San Salvador, seen from the Quetzaltepec volcano
• 
  Northwest San Salvador
• 
  The Metropolitan Cathedral
• 
  Monumento al Salvador del Mundo (Monument to the Savior of the World)
• 
  Monument to the Revolution
• National Theatre in San Salvador downtown
  National Theatre in San Salvador downtown
• 
  Five star Hilton Hotel in zona rosa
• 
  Office buildings near the 'Salvador del Mundo'
• 
  World Trade Center'
• 
  Shell Gas Station & Office building

Sister cities

• Caracas, Venezuela
• Guatemala City, Guatemala
• Managua, Nicaragua
• Mexico City, Mexico
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• San Pedro Sula, Honduras
• Taipei, Taiwan (ROC)
• Los Angeles, California, United States
• Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
• La Paz, Bolivia
• Madrid, Spain
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Tel Aviv, Israel

External links

• Municipality of the city of San Salvador
• Template:Wikitravel
• The Tramways of San Salvador, 1876-1929