Background: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost the lives of some 75,000 people, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.

NOTE: The information regarding El Salvador on this page is re-published from the 2001 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of El Salvador Introduction 2001 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about El Salvador Introduction 2001 should be addressed to the CIA.