El Salvador Departments and Municipalities. Get to know them!

By Eddie Galdamez  |  Dec 5th, 2022
El Salvador Departments and Municipalities

El Salvador is divided into 14 departments and 262 municipalities. The number of municipalities in each department varies, but not according to population. For example, the San Salvador department, with 1,730,449 residents, has 19 municipalities, and the Chalatenango department, with a population of 178,166, has 33 municipalities.

The country’s departments have a governor. However, the department governor has no powers; the governor is more of a symbolic title since the governing is left to each municipality.

The municipalities are administrated by a city mayor, and the general council is openly elected every three years. The city mayor and general council govern the municipality; they create local ordinances and tariffs to pay for festivities or special projects.

San Salvador El Salvador Capital city
The San Salvador Historic District.

Ahuachapan

The department of Ahuachapan is the westernmost of the 14 departments in El Salvador; it borders Guatemala to the north of the department. The department of Ahuachapan is known for its coffee production, astounding climate, colorful small towns, and much more.

The towns of Ahuachapan, Apaneca, and Tacuba are some of the most visited by local and foreign tourists. The following are the 12 municipalities in the department of Ahuachapan; each district offers different things to visitors and residents.

Municipality Municipality Mayor Population
1 Ahuachapan Juan Carlos Zepeda 126,730
2 Apaneca Dario Vielman 9,532
3 Atiquizaya Oliverio Zepeda 40,161
4 Concepcion de Ataco Oscar Gomez 12,663
5 El Refugio Darwin Regalado 11,631
6 Guaymango Domingo Mendoza 23,963
7 Jujutla Victor Martinez 32,839
8 San Francisco Menendez Adin Zetino 47,912
9 San Lorenzo Joel Corado 10,361
10 San Pedro Puxtla Jose Zaldaña 9,889
11 Tacuba Luis Milla 31,865
12 Turin Hilda Velasquez 10,265

Cabañas

The department of Cabañas has nine municipalities and is located in the north-central part of the country. The municipality of Sensuntepeque is where the department’s capital city is located, and Ilobasco is the most populated.

This is the least populated department. Also, many of its municipalities are classified as one of the poorest in the country. Over 55% of the population in Cabañas are classified as impoverished.

The department is mainly involved in agricultural production and the livestock industry; however, the city of Ilobasco is known for its pottery industry.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Cinquera Carlos Mendoza 1,364
2 Dolores 5,725
3 Guacotecti Jamileth Rodríguez 5,327
4 Ilobasco Antonio Serrano 69,348
5 Jutiapa Adrián Castellanos 6,436
6 San Isidro Gustavo Andrade 6,766
7 Sensuntepeque Chepito Alfaro 38,899
8 Tejutepeque Amadeo Alvarado 7,515
9 Victoria Irma Morales 12,191

Chalatenango

The department of Chalatenango is located in the northwest part of El Salvador, near Honduras. Chalatenango is well-known for its mountain terrain and colder climate; here, you will find popular destinations like El Pital, La Palma, and San Ignacio.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Agua Caliente Edwin Cisneros 6,899
2 Arcatao 2,452
3 Azacualpa Pablo Antonio Martínez 994
4 Chalatenango Alfredo Hernandez 24,753
5 Citala Luis Ochoa 5,346
6 Comalapa Anibal Leon 4,418
7 Concepcion Quezaltepeque Anibal Serrano 5,394
8 Dulce Nombre de Maria Hugo Francis Clavel 4,136
9 El Carrizal Tulio Casco 2,232
10 El Paraiso Alexis Escalante 11,307
11 La Laguna Nelson Santos 3,378
12 La Palma Maribel Escobar 11,107
13 La Reina Roberto Lemus 8,947
14 Las Vueltas Juan Núñez 1,294
15 Nombre de Jesus Gilberto Ortega 4,642
16 Nueva Concepcion Raul Peña Landaverde 26,609
17 Nueva Trinidad Reynaldo Dubon Rivera 1,586
18 Ojos de Agua Franklin Marquez 3,459
19 Potonico Jacinto Eleuterio Tobar 1,601
20 San Antonio de La Cruz Moris Amaya 1,941
21 San Antonio Los Ranchos Isabel Abrego Recinos 979
22 San Fernando Carlos Josue Alvarez 2,268
23 San Francisco Lempa Mario Colocho 1,006
24 San Francisco Morazan Marvin Alexander Cardoza 3,221
25 San Ignacio Ernesto Posada 9,010
26 San Isidro Labrador Moris Amaya 1,233
27 San Jose Cancasque Juan Antonio Tobar 1,509
28 San Jose Las Flores Buenaventura Tobar Alcacer 1,318
29 San Luis del Carmen Luis Alonso Recinos Erazo 1,098
30 San Miguel de Mercedes Milton Guadalupe Serrano 2,071
31 San Rafael Marta Villegas 3,679
32 Santa Rita Ismael Romero 4,806
33 Tejutla Rafael Antonio Tejada 13,473

Cuscatlan

The department of Cuscatlan, with its 16 municipalities, is the smallest in the country. It is located in the middle, next to the department of San Salvador.

According to historians, the department was created in 1835, and its first capital city was the colorful town of Suchitoto. However, in 1861, the capital of the department changed to Cojutepeque.

The municipalities in the department are known for producing fruits, tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee, among other items. Also, the department’s capital Cojutepeque is famous for its chorizos or sausages.

Now, on the touristic side of this department and its municipalities, you will find popular attractions such as the colorful town of Suchitoto, the man-made Lake Suchitlan, the Guazapa volcano with its links to the civil war, and many others.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Candelaria Ricardo Flores 11,914
2 Cojutepeque Marvin Romero 54,969
3 El Carmen Omar Pineda 17,727
4 El Rosario Manuel Tejada 4,119
5 Monte San Juan Felix Mendoza 13,171
6 Oratorio de Concepcion Melvin Garcia 4,532
7 San Bartolome Perulapia Ronald Ortiz 9,877
8 San Cristobal Pedro Vasquez 10,292
9 San Jose Guayabal 10,083
10 San Pedro Perulapan Lazaro Flores 56,724
11 San Rafael Cedros Nery Gonzalez 19,567
12 San Ramon 5,820
13 Santa Cruz Analquito Cristobal Hernandez 3,074
14 Santa Cruz Michapa Jaime De Paz 13,784
15 Suchitoto Denys Miranda 24,609
16 Tenancingo Rosa Cartagena 7,535

La Libertad

La Libertad is one of the most popular and densely populated departments in El Salvador. The department’s coastal area is home to some of the best beaches in El Salvador.

The department is famous for many reasons, including the proximity to the nation’s capital San Salvador, the upscale neighborhoods, the shopping malls, and the beaches.

The municipality of Santa Tecla is home to upscale neighborhoods, restaurants, hotels, universities, and much more; therefore, this is an area that most people want to live in.

La Libertad has some of the best places to live in El Salvador and also has fantastic places to visit as a tourist.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Antiguo Cuscatlan Zoila Milagro Navas 38,058
2 Chiltiupan Tito Cartagena 13,148
3 Ciudad Arce Noe Rivera 72,173
4 Colon Noe Rivera Leiva 120,819
5 Comasagua Ever Valles 14,999
6 Huizucar Carlos Osorio 16,536
7 Jayaque Victor Ascencio 15,377
8 Jicalapa José Menjivar 7,778
9 La Libertad Adelio Ortiz 53,726
10 Nuevo Cuscatlan Jose Dueñas 11,201
11 Quezaltepeque Fermin Henriquez 65,605
12 Sacacoyo Mayra Zetino 18,464
13 San Jose Villanueva 20,107
14 San Juan Opico Roberto Alas 90,198
15 San Matias Genaro Aguillon 9,025
16 San Pablo Tacachico Mario Castillo 24,435
17 Santa Tecla Henry Flores 127,269
18 Talnique Nelson Cabrera 9,177
19 Tamanique Ever Salinas 14,961
20 Teotepeque Jose Tobar 13,938
21 Tepecoyo Ana Gonzalez 17,013
22 Zaragoza Cesar Godoy 29,926

La Paz

The department of La Paz and its municipalities is located in the central region of the country; the capital city of the department is Zacatecoluca. The economy of most of the municipalities is based on agriculture; it produces items such as coffee, cotton, sugar cane, Tabacco, and others.

In this department, you will find touristic spots such as La Costa del Sol, Los Blancos beach, Zunganera beach, among others. Additionally, the department shares part of Ilopango Lake and Chinchontepec volcano.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Cuyultitan Susana Amaya 5,959
2 El Rosario Ronald Tobar 20,289
3 Jerusalen Víctor Martinez 2,666
4 Mercedes La Ceiba 1,012
5 Olocuilta Ronald Lopez 32,560
6 Paraiso de Osorio Jose Campos 4,012
7 San Antonio Masahuat Nelson Ortiz 4,689
8 San Emigdio Carlos Garcia 3,598
9 San Francisco Chinameca Oscar Rojas 8,172
10 San Juan Nonualco Carlos Martinez 17,601
11 San Juan Talpa Juan Tamacas 8,203
12 San Juan Tepezontes Francisco Candray 4,642
13 San Luis La Herradura Napoleon Iraheta 21,273
14 San Luis Talpa Juan Tamacas 29,700
15 San Miguel Tepezontes Juan Cortez 6,316
16 San Pedro Masahuat Carlos Ramos 29,054
17 San Pedro Nonualco Juan Pablo Perez 11,929
18 San Rafael Obrajuelo Luis Hernandez 11,422
19 Santa María Ostuma Edwin Cordova 7,149
20 Santiago Nonualco Damaris Escobar 42,192
21 Tapalhuaca Jose Quezada 4,031
22 Zacatecoluca Orsy Moreno 83,076

La Union

The department of La Union is in the eastern part of the country; it is the easternmost of the Salvadoran departments, which ends at the Gulf of Fonseca.

The economy of La Union is mostly agricultural; nevertheless, it has the modern Port of La Union, that according to President Nayib Bukele, will serve as a point of economic and tourist development for the region.

Among the principal points for tourists are the beaches of El Tamarindo, Playas Negras, and Playitas. Furthermore, there is the Conchagua volcano, with its fantastic natural beauty and amazing views of the Gulf of Fonseca. Lastly, La Union is home to the Gulf of Fonseca, a fantastic bay shared with Honduras and Nicaragua.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Anamoros José Benitez 12,724
2 Bolivar Víctor García 3,876
3 Concepcion de Oriente Hugo García 7,766
4 Conchagua Emelic Quezada 35,361
5 El Carmen Verónica Guevara 12,432
6 El Sauce Enrique Villatoro 5,682
7 Intipuca Elenilson Leonzo 5,961
8 La Union Oscar Parada 34,944
9 Lislique Jaime Rivera 13,496
10 Meanguera del Golfo Wilmer Canales 2,222
11 Nueva Esparta Melva Meléndez 8,810
12 Pasaquina Aparicio Villatoro 15,873
13 Poloros Rubén Martínez 9,123
14 San Alejo Orlando Castro 17,086
15 San Jose Mario Cruz 2,777
16 Santa Rosa de Lima Ronny Lazo 27,563
17 Yayantique Joaquín Méndez 6,819
18 Yucuayquin Rosa Ramírez 5,871

Morazan

The department of Morazan is located in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Honduras. Morazan is well-known for its mountainous terrain, pleasant weather, and eco-touristic activities. This department and its municipalities offer plenty of activities for those looking to get away from larger cities.

Another reason this department and its municipalities are well-known is because of the civil war of the 1980s. Morazan was one of the main guerilla strongholds in the country; this department was where many of the most bloody firefights happened.

Also, this department is home to El Mozote, where one of the cruelest atrocities happened. According to historians, at El Mozote, the Salvadoran army massacred about 1000 locals, that included women, men, and even infant children.

Learn more about the area and the civil war by visiting one of the following two web pages, Perquin Morazan or The Peace Route in El Salvador.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Arambala Julio Pereira 2,969
2 Cacaopera José Argueta 12,695
3 Chilanga Pedro Vásquez 9,668
4 Corinto Abilio Villatoro 17,375
5 Delicias de Concepcion David Villela 5,071
6 El Divisadero Angel Benitez 7,346
7 El Rosario Loida Claros 1,568
8 Gualococti Rolando Escobar 3,931
9 Guatajiagua Mauricio Benítez 14,657
10 Joateca Esmeralda Pereira 4,273
11 Jocoaitique Edwin Sánchez 3,809
12 Jocoro Roberto Martínez 10,891
13 Lolotiquillo Francisco Lazo 4,751
14 Meanguera Jaime Vigil 7,630
15 Osicala Cedrick Vásquez 9,684
16 Perquin José Argueta 4,429
17 San Carlos Walter Romero 4,930
18 San Fernando Rolando Escobar 1,980
19 San Francisco Gotera Alfredo González 22,933
20 San Isidro Carlos Coca 2,962
21 San Simon Isai Fuentes 13,105
22 Sensembra Miguel González 3,091
23 Sociedad Yimy Hernández 11,613
24 Torola Gloria Barahona 3,721
25 Yamabal Adonay Gómez 5,377
26 Yoloaiquin José Díaz 3,824

San Miguel

The department of San Miguel is home to the municipality of San Miguel, the fourth largest in the country. Also, the city of Ciudad Barrios, which is the birthplace of Saint Oscar Romero.

The principal attractions in the department and its municipalities are the El Cuco beach, the city of San Miguel, and the Chaparrastique volcano.

In addition to the principal attractions, the department is known for the San Miguel Carnival, which takes place in November in the city of San Miguel.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Carolina Israel Nolasco Pineda 8,407
2 Chapeltique Carlos Méndez 12,176
3 Chinameca José Mejicanos 26,270
4 Chirilagua Antonio Vásquez 25,106
5 Ciudad Barrios José Acosta 27,098
6 Comacaran Enris Antonio Arias 3,602
7 El Transito Héctor Rivera 21,673
8 Lolotique Juan Hernández 17,478
9 Moncagua Adilio Torres 27,624
10 Nueva Guadalupe Carlos Armando Espinoza 9,671
11 Nuevo Eden de San Juan Isabel Ordóñez Vásquez 3,620
12 Quelepa Francis Noel Argueta 5,601
13 San Antonio del Mosco Osmín Martínez 6,598
14 San Gerardo Luis Quinteros 6,530
15 San Jorge Melvin Nativi 11,357
16 San Luis de La Reina Carlos Alfredo Portillo 6,676
17 San Miguel Wilfredo Salgado 214,677
18 San Rafael Oriente Reynaldo Villegas 15,558
19 Sesori Edgar Rutilio Serrano 10,415
19 Uluazapa Carlos Ernesto Campos 4,025

San Salvador

The department of San Salvador and its municipalities is where most Salvadorans live. In this department, you will find the nation’s capital San Salvador, Soyapango, Apopa, Mejicanos, and Ciudad Delgado, five of the most populated municipalities in the country.

In this department, you will find most of the principal government buildings in the country, in addition to the top universities, hospitals, and office buildings. The municipality of San Salvador is the central hub for everything related to medicine, health, government, and business.

The municipalities in this department are home to popular attractions such as Ilopango lake, the San Salvador Historic district, El Boqueron National Park, Los Planes de Renderos, museums, and much more.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Aguilares Wilfredo Peña 28,410
2 Apopa Jennifer Juarez 155,219
3 Ayutuxtepeque Alejandro Nochez 36,658
4 Ciudad Delgado Mario Vasquez 123,429
5 Cuscatancingo Fernando Rivera 75,767
6 El Paisnal Reina Chavez 17,548
7 Guazapa Hector Salguero 29,327
8 Ilopango Jose Chicas 119,555
9 Mejicanos Saul Meléndez 134,878
10 Nejapa Jorge Escamilla 36,500
11 Panchimalco Jorge Mejia 53,333
12 Rosario de Mora Juan Barrera 16,798
13 San Marcos Cindy Andrade 59,962
14 San Martin Mauricio Arias 92,661
15 San Salvador Mario Duran 335,070
16 Santiago Texacuangos Patricia Perez 22,653
17 Santo Tomas Fredy Ayala 31,035
18 Soyapango Nercy Montano 258,445
19 Tonacatepeque Alirio Sosa 103,201

San Vicente

If you ask Salvadoran’s about what they know about the department of San Vicente and its municipalities, most of them will respond with the San Vicente volcano, the city of San Vicente, and the city of San Sebastian.

The San Vicente volcano or Chinchontepec is one of the most majestic volcanoes in the country; the cities of San Vicente and San Sebastian are small towns with plenty of character and touristic appeal.

Also, the department of San Vicente and its municipalities played a significant role during the 1980s armed conflict; there was a military base with a helicopter landing area at the summit of the San Vicente volcano.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Apastepeque Samuel Carrillo 19,605
2 Guadalupe José Renderos 5,730
3 San Cayetano Istepeque Raúl Mejía 5,663
4 San Esteban Catarina Lilian Portillo 6,356
5 San Ildefonso Carlos Soriano 9,035
6 San Lorenzo Juan Carlos Aguilera 5,698
7 San Sebastian Nicolás García 14,579
8 San Vicente Jose Barrientos 56,663
9 Santa Clara Elba López 6,095
10 Santo Domingo Yoni Fuentes 6,845
11 Tecoluca Nicolás García 28,088
12 Tepetitan Wilian Portillo 3,967
13 Verapaz Santos Campos 6,369

Santa Ana

The department of Santa Ana is located in the northwest part of the country; the capital city is Santa Ana, which is the third largest in El Salvador.

The department of Santa Ana is well-known for being one of the most important to the country’s economy. Also, this department is famous for all the tourist attractions that possess; it has some of the best Maya ruins in El Salvador, it has the impressive Coatepeque Lake, the Santa Ana volcano, and many others.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Candelaria la Frontera Beeddy Botto 23,076
2 Chalchuapa Jorge Moran 76,769
3 Coatepeque Hugo Centeno 36,295
4 El Congo Wilfredo Ramos 31,090
5 El Porvenir Oscar Escobar 9,926
6 Masahuat ngel AguilarA 3,967
7 Metapan Israel Peraza 72,378
8 San Antonio Pajonal Walter Martinez 3,990
9 San Sebastian Salitrillo Jaime Martinez 21,093
10 Santa Ana Gustavo Acevedo 250,318
11 Santa Rosa Guachipilín Hugo Flores 4,707
12 Santiago de La Frontera Milagro Barrientos 6,176
13 Texistepeque Dimas Aguilar 20,723

Sonsonate

The department of Sonsonate is located in the western part of the country; the capital city of the state is Sonsonate.

The department was and continues to be the heart of the Pipil culture in the country. This department and its municipalities are home to several ancient traditions that locals continue to appreciate and teach to the new generations.

The department is well-known for the production of coffee, sugar cane, coconut, fruits, balsam trees, palm, tulle, and orchard plants.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Acajutla Isaac Benjamin Hernandez 58,442
2 Armenia Adrian Wilfredo Figueroa 41,685
3 Caluco Nelson Cornejo 10,706
4 Cuisnahuat Jimy Herber Orellana 13,811
5 Izalco Sergio Arias 86,546
6 Juayua Eduardo Armando Paula 23,516
7 Nahuizalco Hugo Ramos 59,568
8 Nahuilingo Rolando Coronado Agüero 12,104
9 Salcoatitan Blanca Maribel Solano 5,657
10 San Antonio Del Monte Carmina Cuellar 28,871
11 San Julian Gabriel Omon Serrano 24,167
12 Santa Catarina Masahuat Remberto Magdiel Ascensio 11,650
13 Santa Isabel Ishuatan Juan Jose Portillo 11,933
14 Santo Domingo De Guzman Mauricio Alfonso Calderon 9,537
15 Sonsonate Rafael Edgardo Arevalo 80,982
16 Sonzacate Marvin Omar Sanchez 27,507

Usulutan

The department of Usulutan is one of the largest in the country; it is located in the eastern part of the country. The principal municipality in the department is Usulutan.

The department was created in 1865, and it has a total of 23 municipalities. The locations that get the most tourist in the department are Alegria with its lagoon and the Usulutan volcano.

Municipality Mayor Population
1 Alegria Armando Evimilex Meléndez 12,514
2 Berlin Andrés Elías Monterrosa 17,211
3 California Gustavo Aguirre 2,877
4 Concepcion Batres Benjamín Machuca 12,546
5 El Triunfo Sara Zelaya 6,739
6 Ereguayquín Yohalmo Márquez 6,855
7 Estanzuelas Salvador Quintanilla 9,214
8 Jiquilisco Roberto Misael Pérez 49,911
9 Jucuapa Selvin Martínez 18,578
10 Jucuaran José Álvaro Rodríguez 12,597
11 Mercedes Umaña Juan Pineda 14,428
12 Nueva Granada Isaac Guevara 8,408
13 Ozatlan José Alexander Batres 11,935
14 Puerto El Triunfo Juver Portillo 16,248
15 San Agustin Carlos Alberto Gamez 5,830
16 San Buenaventura Juan Hernández 4,360
17 San Dionisio Agustín Zelaya 5,685
18 San Francisco Javier Enan Gualberto Mejía 5,764
19 Santa Elena Joaquín Parada 17,368
20 Santa María Roberto Navas 11,130
21 Santiago de Maria Nelson Gómez 20,426
22 Tecapan Williams Ponce 6,958
23 Usulutan Luis Ayala 71,300

El Salvador Departments and Municipalities.

Just to recap, El Salvador Departments are divided into 14 regions, and the country has a total of 262 municipalities.

If you need more information about each municipality, you can visit the Salvadoran Institute for Municipal Development or ISDEM.