El Salvador. The San Salvador Metropolitan Area, home to 28 diverse districts, offers a mixture of upscale urban centers, historic neighborhoods, and charming beach towns, making it a dynamic hub of culture, commerce, and tourism.
The San Salvador Metropolitan Area (AMSS) includes 23 districts across seven municipalities in two departments, San Salvador and La Libertad.
Within these districts, you’ll find some of the country’s most developed areas, upscale neighborhoods, and top tourist destinations.
| District | Municipality | *Population | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Salvador | San Salvador Center | 335,070 |
| 2 | Mejicanos | San Salvador Center | 134,878 |
| 3 | Ciudad Delgado | San Salvador Center | 123,429 |
| 4 | Cuscatancingo | San Salvador Center | 75,767 |
| 5 | Ayutuxtepeque | San Salvador Center | 36,658 |
| 6 | Apopa | San Salvador West | 155,219 |
| 7 | Nejapa | San Salvador West | 36,500 |
| 8 | San Marcos | San Salvador South | 59,962 |
| 9 | Panchimalco | San Salvador South | 53,333 |
| 10 | Santo Tomas | San Salvador South | 31,035 |
| 11 | Santiago Texacuangos | San Salvador South | 22,653 |
| 12 | Rosario de Mora | San Salvador South | 16,798 |
| 13 | Soyapango | San Salvador East | 258,445 |
| 14 | Ilopango | San Salvador East | 119,555 |
| 15 | Tonacatepeque | San Salvador East | 103,201 |
| 16 | San Martin | San Salvador East | 92,661 |
| 17 | Santa Tecla | La Libertad South | 127,269 |
| 18 | Comasagua | La Libertad South | 14,999 |
| 19 | Antiguo Cuscatlan | La Libertad East | 38,058 |
| 20 | Zaragoza | La Libertad East | 29,926 |
| 21 | San Jose Villanueva | La Libertad East | 20,107 |
| 22 | Huizucar | La Libertad East | 16,536 |
| 23 | Nuevo Cuscatlan | La Libertad East | 11,201 |
| 24 | La Libertad | La Libertad Coast | 53,726 |
| 25 | Tamanique | La Libertad Coast | 14,961 |
| 26 | Teotepeque | La Libertad Coast | 13,938 |
| 27 | Chiltiupan | La Libertad Coast | 13,148 |
| 28 | Jicalapa | La Libertad Coast | 7,778 |
| Total | *1,877,993 |
The 28 districts are managed by the Council of Mayors of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (COAMSS), an autonomous, decentralized entity with authority granted through direct delegation from the seven municipalities.
The Metropolitan Planning Office of San Salvador (OPAMSS) is the technical branch of the Council of Mayors of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador.
It is the entity responsible for urban planning, land use regulation, and sustainable development within the 28 districts of the metropolitan area.
What Does OPAMSS Do?
- Urban Planning & Zoning – Establishes guidelines for land use, infrastructure, and sustainable city growth.
- Construction Permits & Regulations – Oversees building regulations, ensuring compliance with zoning laws.
- Environmental Management – Promotes green spaces, sustainable urban development, and climate resilience.
- Public Infrastructure Projects – Coordinates transportation, road expansion, and urban renewal initiatives.
- Municipal Coordination – Works with local governments to implement regional development strategies.
Essentially, OPAMSS ensures organized urban growth, balancing economic development with environmental sustainability in the Metropolitan Area.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador Tourism: A Journey Through Pristine Beaches, Colorful Towns, and Enchanting Parks
History of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador
Before October 2024, the San Salvador Metropolitan Area included 13 districts and five municipalities.
Adding 10 More Districts to the Metropolitan Area
In the plenary session on October 22, 2024, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly voted to include two new municipalities, La Libertad East and La Libertad Coast, in the Metropolitan Area, raising the total to seven municipalities.
This expansion also added 10 new districts, bringing the total number of districts to 23. The newly added districts were: Antiguo Cuscatlán, Huizúcar, Nuevo Cuscatlán, San José Villanueva, Zaragoza, Chiltiupán, Jicalapa, Tamanique, La Libertad, and Teotepeque.
Adding 5 More Districts to the Metropolitan Area
In February 2025, the Council of Mayors of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (COAMSS) expanded the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (AMSS) by incorporating all districts of San Salvador South Municipality along with the Comasagua district.
As a result, Panchimalco, Rosario de Mora, Santiago Texacuangos, Santo Tomás, and Comasagua were added to the AMSS, bringing the total number of districts to 28.
With the incorporation of these districts, the Council of Mayors of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (COAMSS) is looking to improve the infrastructure and further develop the Metropolitan area.
SEE ALSO: Living in El Salvador: Top Reasons for Moving to El Salvador
The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador is home to approximately 2,016,811 people, representing 33.5% of El Salvador’s population. This dynamic region showcases the nation’s cultural richness and economic vitality.
Whether exploring the vibrant urban centers or relaxing in the peaceful beach towns, the AMSS offers something for everyone, blending modernity and natural beauty.
