Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026
El Salvador is divided into 14 departments, which are further divided into municipalities. Here are the names of the departments in El Salvador:
El Salvador is the smallest country in mainland Central America, bordered by Guatemala, Honduras, and the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into 14 departments, and those departments are further divided into municipalities for local administration. San Salvador is the national capital and also the largest city in El Salvador.
The country has volcanic mountain ranges, Pacific beaches, coffee-growing highlands, and densely populated urban areas packed into a relatively small territory. Even though El Salvador is compact, the departments vary quite a bit in climate, economy, and local traditions.
Key Facts
- National capital: San Salvador
- Total population: 6,364,943 (Official estimate 2024)
- Total area: 21,041 km² (8,124 sq miles)
- Currency: United States Dollar ($, USD)
- Bordering countries: Guatemala, Honduras
- Total Departments: 14
- Total Municipalities: 260+
List of Departments and Capitals of El Salvador
Total departments shown: 14 | Combined population: 6,364,943 | Combined area: 21,041 km²
| # | Department Name | Capital City | Region | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ahuachapán | Ahuachapán | Western Region | 1,240 | 410,000 |
| 2 | Cabañas | Sensuntepeque | Northern Highlands | 1,104 | 165,000 |
| 3 | Chalatenango | Chalatenango | Northern Highlands | 2,017 | 220,000 |
| 4 | Cuscatlán | Cojutepeque | Central Region | 756 | 290,000 |
| 5 | La Libertad | Santa Tecla | Central Coast | 1,653 | 920,000 |
| 6 | La Paz | Zacatecoluca | Central Coast | 1,224 | 340,000 |
| 7 | La Unión | La Unión | Eastern Coast | 2,074 | 285,000 |
| 8 | Morazán | San Francisco Gotera | Eastern Highlands | 1,447 | 180,000 |
| 9 | San Miguel | San Miguel | Eastern Region | 2,077 | 570,000 |
| 10 | San Salvador | San Salvador | Metropolitan Region | 886 | 1,850,000 |
| 11 | San Vicente | San Vicente | Central Region | 1,184 | 210,000 |
| 12 | Santa Ana | Santa Ana | Western Region | 2,023 | 620,000 |
| 13 | Sonsonate | Sonsonate | Western Coast | 1,226 | 550,000 |
| 14 | Usulután | Usulután | Eastern Coast | 2,130 | 754,943 |
Largest Departments by Area
- Usulután - 822 sq mi (2,130 km²)
- San Miguel - 802 sq mi (2,077 km²)
- La Unión - 801 sq mi (2,074 km²)
- Santa Ana - 781 sq mi (2,023 km²)
- Chalatenango - 779 sq mi (2,017 km²)
- La Libertad - 638 sq mi (1,653 km²)
- Morazán - 559 sq mi (1,447 km²)
- Ahuachapán - 479 sq mi (1,240 km²)
Most Populous Departments
- San Salvador - Population: 1,850,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- La Libertad - Population: 920,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- Usulután - Population: 754,943 (Official Estimate 2024)
- Santa Ana - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- San Miguel - Population: 570,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- Sonsonate - Population: 550,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- Ahuachapán - Population: 410,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
- La Paz - Population: 340,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
Smallest Departments by Area
- Cuscatlán - 292 sq mi (756 km²)
- San Salvador - 342 sq mi (886 km²)
- Cabañas - 426 sq mi (1,104 km²)
- San Vicente - 457 sq mi (1,184 km²)
- La Paz - 473 sq mi (1,224 km²)
- Sonsonate - 473 sq mi (1,226 km²)
Departments by Regional Grouping
- Metropolitan Region: San Salvador
- Western Region: Ahuachapán, Santa Ana
- Western Coast: Sonsonate
- Central Region: Cuscatlán, San Vicente
- Central Coast: La Libertad, La Paz
- Northern Highlands: Cabañas, Chalatenango
- Eastern Region: San Miguel
- Eastern Coast: La Unión, Usulután
- Eastern Highlands: Morazán
Landlocked Departments
- Cabañas
- Chalatenango
- Cuscatlán
- Morazán
- San Miguel
- San Salvador
- San Vicente
- Santa Ana
Departments with Coastline
- Ahuachapán
- La Libertad
- La Paz
- La Unión
- Sonsonate
- Usulután
Departments Sharing Borders with Other Countries
- Guatemala: Ahuachapán, Santa Ana
- Honduras: Cabañas, Chalatenango, La Unión, Morazán, San Miguel
Sources
- Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador
- World Bank - El Salvador Data
- CIA World Factbook - El Salvador
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - El Salvador
- Government of El Salvador
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