Habitat Insight Of El Salvador

El Salvador is bordered by Guatemala in the north, Honduras in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Its size does not match up to its population: El Salvador is the tiniest country in Central America and but records the maximum density of population in the area.

The topography is highly uneven and craggy. The chain of volcanoes running across El Salvador from west to east slope is bordered on both sides by plains. Unlike the volcanic formations in the surrounding regions, these mountains are not high but they are active. The terrain dips in the south where it forms a tiny coastal strip. This strip is heavily cultivated and bears many cotton plantations. The highland areas surrounding the volcanic chain offer fertile volcanic soil and are also heavily cultivated. In the north lie the valleys of the Lempa River and Sierra Madre. About 150 rivers traverse the terrain of El Salvador to meet the Pacific Ocean.

However, intensive cultivation and industrialisation is threatening the natural environment of the country. El Salvador is the only country in Central America that does not have environment protection laws. According to statistics only 1.5% of the original natural cover remains, the rest being cleared for cultivation or construction. This has had adverse effects on the fauna as well.