San Salvador is the capital and at the largest city of El Salvador. The complete name of the capital is "La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador" (the City of the Great Holy Savoir). The capital lies upon a seismic valley in the tropics and surrounded with volcanoes and prone to earthquakes, which is why the Spaniards named this area "El Valle de las Hamacas" (the valley of the Hammocks). This expression is a real one referring to the constant seismic activity (movement like in a hammock).
San Salvador is one of the important cities in Central America but it is the third largest city after Guatemala y Managua. But the city is one of the largest growing cities in Central America.
History
The location of the present city is near the city created by the Spanish Conquest. But little is known about the Capital Cuzcatlan because it was abandoned by its inhabitants to avoid Spanish rule.
The town was founded on April 1, 1525. The city was rebuilt and changed twice locations and the new site location "Valle de las Hamacas" was chosen as it had more space and more fertile land thanks to the Acelhuate River.
The population of the country has suffered during the last one hundred years, but life has to go on. The capital was damaged through an earthquake in 1917.
A coup installed the military regime from 1932 to 1944 and the war against Honduras which ended in 1969 left the country in poor conditions and with little intellects to start the recovery. But a new earthquake in 1986 destroyed many government buildings and other important structures such as the "El Siglo" building, once a well-known department store within the city. The city was still in ruins after almost 14 years after the earthquake.
After celebrating the Peace Accords in 1992 the country started a new stage in the history of the country. Nowadays the country is on its way to recovery and tourism is growing in the country and creates new possibilities for its inhabitants. In 2001 the colon, currency of El Salvador through all history has been changed against the dollar. Since then the population got familiarized with the new currency. There are distingue opinions about the currency change, some say it was a good measure and others are not very convinced about the change because the levels of income haven't changed.
But the way is marked to an increase of the economy supported also through the people who left the country years ago and supported through the years their country and family left behind.
Behind the WTC of San Salvador is the Crown Plaza Hotel located on the hill with and beautiful view to the city. When walking through the 'plaza' of the world trade building there is sign of change to better. Lots of restaurants with different kind of food are at the 'plaza' and one I liked very much is the "Fire of Brazil" Churrascaria - the authentic Churrascaria of Brazil.
The people are friendly and the service and the salads are excellent. 
There are a great variety of salads that is almost impossible to taste all. But with little of everything you can go through the whole variety without feeling your stomach full. On the contrary you can drink a digestive drink to feel better. But in my opinion the restaurant is worthwhile for a visit you can reach it through a walking tunnel from the Crown Plaza Hotel.
When you still not know where to spend your proximate vacation why not think about vacation in El Salvador. The modern airport is inviting the new airplanes from Taca airlines and Copal and in a short time the low cost airline 'Spirit'.
Talk to you soon
Anton
After almost 20 years going back to San Salvador was a pleasant surprise. This country will and have changed to get more and more tourism.
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