Global - Technology - Review

El Salvador lies on the Pacific coast of Central America. Once part of the Mayan Empire, it is now the smallest of the mainland countries. There have been frequent earthquakes, and the largest volcano, Santa Ana, erupted in 2005. Despite this, there has been rapid industrialisation since the end of the Civil War, making the country less reliant on coffee, formerly the mainstay of the economy. One of the most famous Salvadorans was Archbishop Oscar Romero, murdered while celebrating Mass in 1980, during the conflict. His tomb is now visited by pilgrims. Tourists visit El Salvador for the excellent beaches and surfing, and for archaeological sites like the Maya village at Joya de Ceren, preserved under volcanic ash, and described as the Pompeii of the Americas. The San Miguel Carnival, the largest in Central America, each November attracts upwards of a million visitors to the eastern city. Pupusas, tortillas stuffed with beans or cheese, are a national delicacy which can be sampled along with tamales, soup and seafood at the Gastronomic Festival in the mountain town of Juayua. The capital, San Salvador, has an impressive array of modern buildings.