El Salvador ('The Saviour' in Spanish) might be the smallest country in Central America, but it is well worth exploring. Newcomers are frequently bowled over by this stunning volcanic landscape, and quickly warm to the openness of its people.

This tiny tropical land is bursting with natural attractions, including the Cerro Verde National Park, the volcanic lakes of Ilopango and Coatepeque, and impressive beaches; the breakers rolling in from the Pacific Ocean make the coast of Sonsonate and La Union provinces a major draw for surfers, while the resorts of the Costa del Sol are a 90-minute drive from the capital.

El Salvador also offers interesting archaeological sites from Maya civilization, and the Ruta de Las Flores takes visitors to some of the prettiest villages and market towns.

Tourism has become a government priority: new initiatives include a golf and fishing complex in Usulutan, an adventure resort in the mountains of Chalatenango, and a marina at La Libertad.

From the Word Travels destination guide to Zambia copyright Globe Media 2011