SAN SALVADOR, the smallest, though the second in point of population, of the Cen tral A tiler:it:in republics (see A:di:1mA), consists of a strip of territory stretching along between Honduras and the Pacific, and bounded on tire iv. by Guatemala. and on the e. by Fonseca bay, which separates it from Nicaragua. It averages 180 in. in length, by about 40 in breadth, and contains an area of 7,230 English sq.m., With II I op. (accooling to the most recent estimate) of 600,000, or 83 to the sq. mile. The northern frontier is formed by a portion of the great Cordillera chain, and parallel to this range, and between it and the Pacific sea-board, runs another range of mountains clorng the whole length of the country, breaking it up into an inland valley, 11ln1 a long. loiv. l'kb Lett along the coast. This central range is biddy volcanic in character, and 10 volcanic peaks, ranging in height from 7,386 to 4.000 ft. high San Salvador possesses numerous lakes, the largest of which is Gnija, about 90 in. in circumference, and abounding in fish. The greater portion of the interior valley, and the alluvial strip lyieg along the coast, are of extreme fertility, and agriculture is extensively and prat deed, to the almost total exclusion of pastoral pursuits. The principal agricultural products are indigo, sugar. and maize, cotton also being successfnliy cultivated in the districts around Ira Lihertad and the bay of Jiquiliseo. The coast from Acajutle (30 in. from the western frontier) to La Libertad is known as tha Costri del Alkali°. or Balsam coast, as in the woods of this district is produced the famous balsam known as " balsam of Peru," in such quantities that from 17,600 to 22.000 lbs. ay. are annually exported. The mineral wealth of San Salvador is not great, but rich veins of silver are found at Tabaeco in the n.e., and mines of iron in the W. near Santa Ana. San Salvador has consider able export trade in indigo (which is known in trade as Or Guatemala," and is reckoned the finest of all) and sugar, as well as turp,mtine, cocoa, cotton, and spices. The annual value of exports Imionnts to about $3,200,000, and that of imports to $2,000,000. The revenue is between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000, the expenditure being a little less. The debt, in 1875 was $4,360,000.
The climate of San Salvador is salubrious, and the temperature is lower than might be expected from the low lull and general want of elevation of the The bulk of the population is composed of Indians and mixed races, there being about f;00,050 of the former, and about 190,000 of the latter, There are about 9,000 whites (of Spanish origin), and 1000 negroes. The Indians are of the Aztec race, speak -the Speed:Alt language, and profess the Roman Catholic religion (the one established by stato:e) but retain many of their old heathen rites, and live in a certain degree apart from the re...t of the population. They have the rights of citizens, but generally exer cise Ilt.en under the advice of the government. The government is carried oat by a ' presid.mt, vice-president, and two ministers, one for foreign affairs and finance, awl the other for internal business and war. The legislature consists of two chambers, an upper one of 12 senators, and a lower of 24 representatives. Education is well provided ter, every village of 50 inhabitants being bound by law to support a school, and there Ma in the capital, San Salvador (q.v.), which is well endowed by the state. The stamline arils. is 1,000 men.
S w ralvailar, originally called Claudia». land of riches," is said to have been, previous to the immigration of Europeans, the best peopled and most civilized country Americet. It was conquered after a long and obstinate contest by Pedro de Alvarado, a Basal. of Cortes, and under the Spanish rule was one of the most tioarishing portions of the Guatemalan kingdom. In 1821 it threw off the yoke nod joined the Mexican con federatioe, front which, however, it seceded in 1823. rhe several trials since made of a union among the Central American states have ended in the dissolution of all political connection; and San Salvador is now au independent republic. In 1863 war broke out between San Salvador and Guatemala, in which Honduras joined the former, :Ind Niearagaa the latter. The result was the defeat of San Salvador, and the expulsion of • the presi lent from the country. The government has taken active measures toward 'developin; the resources of the country.