What is the capital of El Salvador?

The capital of El Salvador is San Salvador.

San Salvador is the country’s political, cultural, educational, and financial center. The city was founded in 1525 under orders associated with Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, although it was relocated twice before reaching its present site in the Valle de las Hamacas, or “Valley of the Hammocks.”

The name means “Holy Savior” and is linked to the Christian feast of the Transfiguration. It also influenced the country’s name, El Salvador. San Salvador became the seat of the Intendancy of San Salvador in 1785 and remained the capital after El Salvador became an independent state in the 19th century.

A common mix-up is confusing San Salvador with Soyapango, San Miguel, or Santa Ana. Those are important Salvadoran cities, but none is the national capital. San Salvador is also the name of both a city and a department.