San Salvador

Why it's the capital

Spanish settlers founded the town on 1 April 1525 on the orders of Pedro de Alvarado, then moved it twice, in 1528 and 1545. It became the seat of the Intendancy of San Salvador in 1785, and from 1834 it was also the seat of government of the Federal Republic of Central America.

Fun facts

1. The city was moved to the Valle de las Hamacas, the Valley of the Hammocks, a name it got because earthquakes shake the ground so often.
2. Its name means Holy Saviour and likely refers to the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, called Divino Salvador in Spanish.
3. In 1811 an uprising against Spanish rule, led by José Matías Delgado and others, began at the Our Lady of Mercy parish church in the city.