Located in the heart of Central America, El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated of these countries. A land of agriculture, the rich volcanic soil on the slopes of over 25 dormant volcanoes attracted the largest farms and, through time, the major population centers in the country established on these slopes. The lowlands and middle highlands are planted with coffee, which is the main crop, supplemented by cereal grains, cotton and sugar cane. El Salvador is also the world's primary source of balsam which is used for perfumes and medicine.

There are three climates zones which vary according to the altitude above sea level, which are: Warm land or hot tropical savannas, from 0 to 600 mts.; temperate lands from 600 to 1200 mts.; and cold lands or height tropical climate, from 1200 to 2700 mts. There are two seasons and two transitions periods during the year: a dry season from November to April and rainy season from May to October, and approximately a 30 day transition in between. El Salvador's temperate climate means that beaches can be visited all year around, even while it is snowing in the United States, raining in Mexico City, and chilly in nearby Guatemala. The Pacific Coast beckons tourists with 200 miles of black and white sand beaches, interesting wave breaks, and an abundance of seafood. 

El Salvador is an important part of the ancient Mayan world: impressive step pyramid ruins at Tazumal and San Andres testify to the once large and sophisticated Mayan civilization. Pre-Columbian culture in El Salvador has left many archeological sites, the most important being: Tazumal, the pyramids of Campana San Andres, the ball of Cihuatan, the Ruins of Quelepa and Cara Sucia, and Joya de Ceren, a well preserved Maya site with dwellings buried under 20 feet of volcanic ash clutter Together with Guatemala, Honduras, México and Belize, El Salvador is part of the "Mayan World Route", a tourist itinerary that takes the visitor to the most important vestiges of Meso American history.

There are more than 25 extinct volcanoes dotting the territory with many small and large craters showing petrified lava flows. Among those, three are considered "at rest" since they show very little activity (scarce sulphur fumes); these are San Miguel, Santa Ana and Izalco volcanoes, the later showing intermittent activity since 1770 until 1957. Even though, the San Salvador's volcanoes last eruption occurred in 1917, it does not show any evidence of activity.