Despite being the smallest in Central America, El Salvador is the most densely occupied country in this region.

This small country as far back as the early 1800’s has experience political turmoil. Revolutions and uprisings in the name of independence from the Spanish colonizers led to El Salvador being free from Spanish rule. But sadly, peace did not come easy. Along with a succession of leaders came about the emergence of different political parties, leftist and communist groups. A series of coup d’etat accounts for a substantial part of El Salvador’s history. Though sources claim that the armed undertakings started in the early 1970’s, eventually it was the 1980-1922 civil war that would largely shape El Salvador into the country that it is now.

What effects did the civil war have on El Salvador?

Culture - Given the twenty something years of political and economic unrest, quite a number of El Salvadoreans started the “exodus”, migration to what was called the “North” (US and Canada) in search of a better life. This seemed to be the most reasonable option. Through the years, some of these people with their new and extended families would come back to their native country. They brought along with them the “northern” cultures that they have learned to adapt.

Economy - Current economy continues to profit from an allegiance to free markets and cautious fiscal governing. The end of the civil war gave way to the privatization of the banking system, telecommunications, public pensions, elimination of price controls, improved enforcement of intellectual property rights, and so on. However, the economy is still in recovery mode. It would still be a daunting task to eradicate poverty and fix the disproportioned social structure.

Trade and Agriculture - Years of civil war had obliterating effects on the agricultural production. Nowadays, the acricultural sector has shown significant recovery along with the increased diverification in horticultural crops. Better trade laws are now in place to protect the interest of the country’s main produce of coffee and sugar cane.

While minute positive changes have been noted, El Salvador is still suffering from the devastating effects brought about by the civil war. These effects are manifested through deadly violence in the forms of kidnappings, domestic violence, and high rates of juvenile delinquency.

The country is still in the process of improving it’s economic reforms, working it’s way to bringing about major benefits and rehabilitating it’s social conditions. For a country plagued by violence, turmoil, and natural disasters, one can only hope and wish a continuous recovery for the benefit of it’s people and future generations.

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Background notes: El Salvador

El Salvador