San Salvador

San Salvador , city (1993 pop. 402,448), central El Salvador, capital and largest city of the country. It is the center of El Salvador's trade and communications. Beer, tobacco products, clothing, textiles, and soap are produced there. Built on the volcanic slope that parallels the Pacific coast (nearby is San Salvador volcano, 6,211 ft/1,893 m), the city has suffered from recurrent and severe earthquakes and has been frequently rebuilt. The most disastrous quake (1854) led to the founding of Nueva San Salvador ; the last earthquake occurred in 1986, resulting in significant damage to the city. San Salvador is high enough to escape the excessive heat of the tropics but has a year-round summer climate. It has several fine parks, broad avenues, and modern houses (particularly in outlying sections). Among the city's most visited sites is a memorial (2003) to those who died or disappeared during the country's 12-year civil war. San Salvador was founded early in the 16th cent. and for a time (1831-38) was the capital of the Central American Federation . San Salvador has experienced rapid population growth that has strained its economy.

San Salvador Capital and largest city of El Salvador, in central El Salvador. Founded in 1524 – near the volcano of San Salvador, which rises to 1885m (6184ft) and last erupted in 1917 – the city has been frequently damaged by earthquakes. The main industry is the processing of coffee grown on the rich volcanic soils of the area. Other manufactures include beer, textiles, and tobacco. Pop. (2002 est.) 496,000.

San Salvador, Argentina, Bahamas, El Salvador, Galapagos Islands, Peru 1. ‘Holy Saviour’.2. Bahamas: an island, thought to be the first landfall made by Christopher Columbus^† after his first crossing of the Atlantic in 1492, although there is not universal agreement on this. The promotion of Christianity was one of the principal aims of Columbus, hence the name. Until his arrival the local name was Guanahani. The island is also called Watling's Island after a notorious pirate.3. El Salvador: a department and a city founded in 1525 on 6 August, the feast day of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, by the Spanish. It was near Suchitoto some 20 miles (32 km) north‐east of its present site to which it was moved three years later. It was the capital of the United Provinces of Central America in 1834–9 and has been the capital of El Salvador ever since. The nearby volcano of San Salvador has the Nahuatl name of Quetzaltepec ‘Mountain of Quetzal Birds’.4. Galapagos Islands: an island originally named James's Island after King James II^†. It was also known as York since he had been the Duke of York.