El Salvador civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about El Salvador with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
El Salvador's 1983 Constitution, the Legislative Assembly, the capital and the country's 14 departments.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of El Salvador?
San Salvador
San Salvador is the capital and largest city of El Salvador.
What is the official language of El Salvador?
Spanish
The Constitution makes Spanish the official language. Nahuat is an Indigenous language that is part of the country's heritage.
What is the name of El Salvador’s national legislature?
The Legislative Assembly
El Salvador has a single-chamber parliament called the Asamblea Legislativa, or Legislative Assembly.
In which year was El Salvador’s current Constitution adopted?
1983
The Constitution of the Republic of El Salvador in force today was adopted in 1983 and has been amended since.
How many departments is El Salvador divided into?
14
El Salvador is divided into 14 departments, such as San Salvador, Santa Ana and San Miguel.
History 5 questions
Independence in 1821, José Matías Delgado, Saint Óscar Romero, the 1992 Peace Accords and dollarisation.
On which date is Central American independence from Spain celebrated in El Salvador?
15 September
The Act of Independence of Central America was signed on 15 September 1821, and El Salvador celebrates it as Independence Day.
Which priest is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ for leading the 1811 independence movement in San Salvador?
José Matías Delgado
Father José Matías Delgado led the first call for independence in San Salvador on 5 November 1811 and is honoured as Padre de la Patria.
Which Archbishop of San Salvador, killed in 1980, was declared a saint in 2018?
Óscar Arnulfo Romero
Archbishop Óscar Romero, a defender of the poor, was shot while celebrating Mass in 1980 and was canonised by Pope Francis in 2018.
In which year were the Peace Accords that ended El Salvador’s civil war signed?
1992
The Chapultepec Peace Accords were signed in Mexico City on 16 January 1992, ending the civil war that began in 1980.
Which currency became legal tender in El Salvador in 2001, replacing the colón in daily use?
The US dollar
The Monetary Integration Law took effect on 1 January 2001, making the US dollar legal tender. The colón stopped circulating in practice.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
The Lempa River, the Pacific coast, Joya de Cerén, the torogoz and the pupusa.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
Which is the longest river in El Salvador?
The Lempa River
The Lempa River rises in Guatemala, crosses Honduras and flows through El Salvador to the Pacific. It is the country's longest river.
Which ocean is El Salvador’s only coastline on?
The Pacific Ocean
El Salvador is the only Central American country with no Caribbean coastline. Its whole coast faces the Pacific Ocean.
Which UNESCO World Heritage Site is a pre-Hispanic farming village buried by volcanic ash?
Joya de Cerén
Joya de Cerén was buried by a volcanic eruption around AD 600, preserving everyday Maya village life. It became a World Heritage Site in 1993.
What is El Salvador’s national bird?
The torogoz
The torogoz, or turquoise-browed motmot, is El Salvador's national bird. It is known for its long racket-shaped tail feathers.
Which thick corn tortilla filled with cheese, beans or pork is El Salvador’s national dish?
The pupusa
The pupusa is El Salvador's national dish. It is usually served with curtido, a pickled cabbage relish, and tomato sauce.
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