Geography and Landscapes of El Salvador

Published on November 1, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Nestled in the heart of Central America, El Salvador stands out for its unique and diverse terrain, alternating between majestic volcanic mountain ranges and vast welcoming plains.

This smallest country in the region offers a fascinating geographical cocktail where every corner holds natural treasures, from idyllic beaches to the slopes of active volcanoes.

Its tropical climate, marked by dry and rainy seasons, shapes a landscape of remarkable biodiversity, ranging from lush forests to coastal formations shaped by the Pacific.

Exploring El Salvador means immersing yourself in a territory where nature and culture intertwine, where every peak and valley tells a story rich with emotion.

General Geography and Country Location

El Salvador is located in Central America, bordered to the northeast by Honduras, to the northwest by Guatemala, and to the south by the Pacific Ocean. This country has only one maritime coastline, on the Pacific, unlike most other Central American countries.

Area	Population (recent estimate)	Capital	Other Major Cities
21,040 km²	5.6 million	San Salvador	Santa Ana, San Miguel, Soyapango

Geographical Position

Located between 13°50′ N and 88°55′ W. The country shares a land border of 342 km with Honduras and 203 km with Guatemala.

Main Cities

• San Salvador (capital and largest city)
• Santa Ana
• San Miguel
• Soyapango

Topography

85% of the territory is occupied by two parallel mountain ranges and a central plateau.

• Sierra Madre (north): runs along the border with Honduras and is home to the highest point, Cerro El Pital (2,730 m).
• Volcanic Range (south): about twenty volcanoes, the highest being Santa Ana (2,365 m), followed by San Vicente (2,182 m) and San Salvador (1,943 m).
• Between the volcanoes, alluvial basins and eroded hills.
• Coastal Plains: narrow strip to the south, along the Pacific Ocean, known as the “Pacific Lowlands.”

Climate

Tropical, with two main seasons:

• Rainy season: from May to October, characterized by heavy rainfall, promoting crop growth.
• Dry season: from November to April, a period favorable for harvesting and certain specific crops.

Temperatures vary little, but altitude moderates the heat in mountainous regions.

Influence on Agriculture and Economy

Volcanic soils are very fertile, particularly suited for growing coffee, which is a major economic resource. The coastal plains are used for growing sugarcane, cotton, and livestock. Climatic conditions, combined with topography, allow for agricultural diversification but make the country vulnerable to extreme phenomena (droughts, floods, volcanic eruptions).

El Salvador is thus characterized by a contrasting geography, a high population density, and an economy where agriculture, supported by the fertility of volcanic lands and the tropical climate, plays a central role.

Main Geographical Regions

Region	Geographical Features	Climatic Features	Economic and Ecological Importance	Cultural and Daily Influence	Notable Cities/Sites	Major Environmental Impacts
Pacific Coastal Plain	Narrow strip (max. 22 km) between volcanoes and Pacific, low altitude, beaches, mangroves, lagoons	Hot and humid tropical climate, abundant rainfall in rainy season, stable temperatures	Fishing, beach tourism, agriculture (cotton, sugarcane, tropical fruits), mangrove ecosystems essential for biodiversity	Lifestyle oriented towards the sea (fishing, surfing), festivals and traditions linked to the sea and nature	La Libertad, Costa del Sol, Usulután, Jiquilisco (mangrove area)	Coastal erosion, pollution, loss of mangrove habitats, vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels
Volcanic Ranges	Over 20 volcanoes distributed in 5 groups, fertile volcanic lands, spectacular landscapes	Temperate climate on slopes, microclimates due to altitude, high volcanic and seismic risks	Intensive agriculture (coffee, corn), some of the most fertile lands in the country, volcanic tourism, nature reserves	Omnipresent coffee culture (coffee plantations, festivals), influence on architecture (villages built on slopes), agricultural traditions	Izalco, Santa Ana, San Miguel (Chaparrastique), Cerro Verde National Park	Risk of eruptions, landslides, deforestation for agriculture, soil erosion
Inland Highlands	Central plateau (avg. alt. 600 m), fertile valleys, hills, framed by mountain ranges	More temperate climate, less humid, marked seasonal variations, occasional snow on peaks (El Pital)	High population density, diversified agriculture, main cities and economic centers, conservation areas	Urban life (San Salvador, Santa Ana), city culture, markets, festivals, culinary diversity	San Salvador (capital), Santa Ana, Suchitoto, El Pital (highest point)	Urbanization, deforestation, urban pollution, erosion, pressure on water resources

Pacific Coastal Plain

• Geography: Narrow coastal strip along the Pacific, characterized by long beaches, mangroves, and coastal lagoons.
• Climate: Tropical, hot and humid, conducive to fishing and growing tropical products.
• Economy/Ecology: Agriculture and fishing dominate. Mangroves play a key role in protecting biodiversity and populations from storms.
• Culture/Daily Life: The sea shapes the lifestyle, from cuisine to local festivals.
• Cities/Sites: La Libertad, Costa del Sol, Jiquilisco.
• Environmental Issues: Mangrove degradation, coastal erosion, pollution.

Volcanic Ranges

• Geography: String of active or dormant volcanoes, very fertile volcanic lands, landscapes marked by cones and craters.
• Climate: Temperate, frequent risks of volcanic and seismic activity.
• Economy/Ecology: Coffee cultivation, rich agricultural lands, tourism related to volcanoes and natural parks.
• Culture/Daily Life: Strong rural identity, agricultural traditions, festivals linked to coffee harvest.
• Cities/Sites: Izalco, Santa Ana, San Miguel, Cerro Verde.
• Environmental Issues: Risk of eruptions, deforestation, soil erosion.

Inland Highlands

• Geography: Central plateau surrounded by mountains, fertile valleys, moderate altitude.
• Climate: More temperate than the coast, seasonal variations, occasional snow on peaks.
• Economy/Ecology: Urban and economic heart of the country, diversified agriculture, conservation areas.
• Culture/Daily Life: Urban life, cultural diversity, city festivals, markets.
• Cities/Sites: San Salvador, Santa Ana, Suchitoto, El Pital.
• Environmental Issues: Urbanization, deforestation, pollution, water pressure.

Each region shapes the identity, economy, and daily life of Salvadorans, creating a mosaic of unique landscapes, cultures, and ecological challenges.

Main Cities and the Largest Metropolis

Main Cities of El Salvador: Characteristics, Importance, and Location

City	Population (latest census)	Department	Area (km²)	Geographical Location	Economic and Cultural Role
San Salvador	415,346 (city), 1.5 million (metro)	San Salvador	~72	Central-west of the country, central zone	Capital; administrative, economic, cultural heart; university, financial, and commercial center; numerous historical sites and museums
Soyapango	261,122	San Salvador	~29	Eastern agglomeration of San Salvador	Major industrial center, urban workforce
Santa Ana	204,340	Santa Ana	~400	West, western zone	Economic center of the west, rich colonial heritage, cultural tourism and access to coffee zone
San Miguel	158,136	San Miguel	~593	East, eastern zone	Economic and commercial center of the east, festivals, proximity to Chaparrastique volcano
Mejicanos	140,751	San Salvador	~21	North of the agglomeration	Residential and industrial city
Santa Tecla	108,840	La Libertad	~112	Southwest of San Salvador	Dynamic city, residential neighborhoods, modern shopping centers
Apopa	131,286	San Salvador	~51	North of the agglomeration	Industrial zone, road junction
Delgado	112,161	San Salvador	~22	East of San Salvador	Residential and industrial city
Ilopango	103,862	San Salvador	~34	Southeast, near Lake Ilopango	Access to the lake, nautical activities, residential area
Sonsonate	49,129	Sonsonate	~225	Southwest, near the Pacific	Transit city, agricultural center, access to the coast

San Salvador

The most populous city and capital of El Salvador, San Salvador is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The metropolitan area has over 1.5 million inhabitants. Located in a valley surrounded by volcanoes, it benefits from a strategic position in the central-west, facilitating access to other regions.

Infrastructure

• Dense road network, main bus station of the country
• International airport nearby (Comalapa)
• Presence of large shopping centers (Metrocentro, the largest in Central America)
• Universities, convention centers, modern hospitals

Population

• City: about 415,000 inhabitants
• Metropolitan area: over 1.5 million

Tourist and Historical Assets

• Metropolitan Cathedral (pilgrimage site, tomb of Archbishop Romero)
• National Palace, theaters, museums (art museum, anthropology museum)
• Plaza del Salvador del Mundo (national symbol)
• Lively neighborhoods, artisan markets, renowned street food
• Cerro Los Planes de Renderos: panoramic view of the city
• Proximity to natural and archaeological sites (El Boquerón National Park, Joya de Cerén UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Other Major Cities and Their Roles

• Santa Ana: second largest city in the country, industrial and commercial hub, remarkable colonial historic center, proximity to archaeological sites and Santa Ana volcano
• San Miguel: capital of the eastern region, known for its festivals (Carnival of San Miguel), economic base for agriculture and livestock, service center
• Soyapango: large industrial city, integrated into the San Salvador metropolitan area, strong economic activity

Borders and Neighboring Countries

El Salvador is located in Central America, between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator, in the northern hemisphere. With an area of 21,040 km², it is the smallest country in Central America.

Geographical Location

El Salvador occupies the western part of the Central American isthmus. It is bordered to the south and southwest by the Pacific Ocean, giving it an exclusively Pacific maritime coastline—it is the only Central American country without access to the Caribbean Sea.

Neighboring Countries and Land Borders

Neighboring Country	Direction	Approximate Border Length
Guatemala	Northwest	203 km
Honduras	Northeast	Between 342 km (official sources) and 391 km (some estimates)

The only two countries with which El Salvador shares a land border are therefore Guatemala (to the northwest) and Honduras (to the northeast).
The border with Honduras is significantly longer than that with Guatemala.

Maritime Border

To the south, El Salvador has a coastline on the Pacific Ocean of approximately 307 kilometers. This coastline is marked by beaches, natural bays, and important port areas like Acajutla or La Unión. The Gulf of Fonseca, located in the southeastern part of the country, forms a maritime space shared with Nicaragua—although El Salvador does not share a direct land border with the latter.

Border Agreements and Historical Disputes

A historical border dispute opposed El Salvador and Honduras over an area of 440 km². This dispute was settled by the International Court of Justice in 1992 and definitively resolved by a bilateral agreement in 2006:

• El Salvador obtained about 150 km².
• Honduras received about 290 km².

Inhabitants of the disputed territories benefited from dual Salvadoran-Honduran nationality.

Geographical Regions Near the Borders

Here are some notable natural elements near the national boundaries:

• Mountains: Mountain ranges cross the border areas; notably the Cinquera mountains at the limit of the Chalatenango department (Honduran border), as well as several active or extinct volcanoes near the capital San Salvador.
• Rivers: Several rivers naturally serve as boundaries between El Salvador and its neighbors. For example, the Lempa River originates in Guatemala before entering Salvadoran territory.
• National Parks: Regions near the borders host several protected areas.

• Montecristo Trifinio National Park (straddling El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras)
• Cerro Cacahuatique Forest Reserve
• The humid tropical forests of the western department of Ahuachapán
• The isolated beaches around the Gulf of Fonseca also constitute an ecological highlight

Major road axis: The Pan-American Highway crosses the entire country from west to east via San Miguel to then reach Tegucigalpa or Managua via Choluteca on the Honduran side; it also connects directly to Ciudad Pedro Alvarado on the Guatemalan side, thus allowing international and local travelers easy access to these neighboring destinations as well as inland via secondary roads that descend to the Pacific coastline where not only commercial ports but also popular beach resorts are located, such as those around Sonsonate or Usulután, depending on its precise geographical position on this relatively narrow coastal strip compared to other Central American nations that have access to both the Atlantic/Caribbean and Pacific coasts simultaneously, whereas here the only possible option remains South/Southwest facing the large Indian Ocean/Southeast Asian Pacific basin, etc…

In summary, the unique geographical situation, the varied physical characteristics combining rugged terrain, fertile valleys, sandy coastlines, wetlands, deep gulf, means that each border sector presents its own interest both for curious visitors and scientists interested in exceptional biodiversity despite the modest size of the national territory, which is generally densely populated, especially the urban center around the capital San Salvador, which concentrates the main administrative, cultural, and economic activities, while rural provinces remain mostly agricultural, oriented towards exports of coffee, sugar, cotton, tropical fruits, etc…