El Salvador | World Heritage Explorer

El Salvador has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1991. It is home to one World Heritage Site. All currently inscribed properties are listed under the Cultural category.

El Salvador as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: October 8, 1991

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: None

Total of Mandate Years: 0

Total of Mandates: 0

WHC Electoral Group: III (Latin America/Caribbean)

World Heritage Sites in El Salvador (1)

Cultural: 1 | Natural: 0 | Mixed: 0

Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in El Salvador.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (6)

Gulf of Fonseca · submitted: September 21, 1992
Cara Sucia / El Imposible · submitted: September 21, 1992
Chalchuapa · submitted: September 21, 1992
Ciudad Vieja / La Bermuda · submitted: September 21, 1992
Lake Guija · submitted: September 21, 1992
Cacaopera · submitted: September 21, 1992

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile El Salvador

Official Name: Republic of El Salvador

Continent: Americas

Subregion: Central America

UNESCO Region: Latin America and the Caribbean

Capital: San Salvador

Population (2024): 6,338,193

Land Area: 20,720 km²

Currency: United States dollar (USD)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party El Salvador

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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