SALVADOR, or SAN SALVADOR, a republic in Central America; on the coast of the Pacific; and bounded by Honduras on the N. and E., and by Guatemala on the N. W.; area, 13,176. Pop. (1919), estimated, 1,298,621; Spanish-speaking Indians and half-breeds. A range of vol canic peaks. varying in height from 4,000 to 9,000 feet, runs through the center of the country, dividing an interior valley from the 'lowlands on the coast. The largest river is the Lempe, which is only navigable in parts. The soil is remark ably fertile. Sugar, tobacco, cotton, etc., also thrive. Cattle-breeding is carried on, but not extensively. The manufac tures are unimportant. The imports in 1918 were valued at £1,228,539, and the exports £2,479,960. Trade is chiefly with the United States, Great Britain, and France. The chief articles of import are cottons, hardware, flour, drugs and chem ical products. The chief exports are cof fee, indigo, and sugar. Cotton growing has been developed in recent years. The established religion is Roman Catholicism. The government is carried on by a pres ident and four ministers. There is a congress of 70 deputies elected by univer sal suffrage. The inhabitants had long the reputation of being the most indus trious in Central America, and the State, in proportion to its size, is still the most densely peopled. Salvador remained un der Spanish rule till 1821, when it as serted its independence and joined the Mexican Confederation. In 1823, how ever, it seceded from the confederation and subsequently formed part of the Re public of Central America. In 1853 it be
came an independent republic. Its prog ress has been much hindered by internal dissensions, revolutions and counter-rev olutions following each other without end. The capital is San Salvador.
History.—In 1913 President Aranjo was killed by an assassin and on the expiration of the term for which he had been elected, Carlos Melendez was in 1915 elected president for the term 1915 to 1919. He at once addressed himself to improving the finances of the country, and in this he met with some success. When the United States entered the war with Germany, the Government pro claimed its neutrality, but explained that its attitude was friendly toward the United States, and in proof of this offered the use of the ports of the country to the United States. In March, 1920, Salvador joined the League of Nations, and at the same time revived a scheme for a central federation or union of the five Central American republics under one governor, such a union to take place on Sept. 15, 1921. An exceptional large crop in 1920 made the year the most prosperous of this country. The coffee harvest was es timated at 100,000,000 pounds. A mora torium, which had been in operation since the beginning of the World War, termi nated on June 28, 1920. Congress on Aug. 27, 1920, passed a resolution favor ing the political unity of the five repub lics.