El Salvador is located on the Pacific coast of Central America, bordered by Guatemala to the northwest and Honduras to the northeast. It achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. It is the smallest country in Central America. El Salvador ended a 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, in 1992. Since then the country has suffered from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001. Agricultural products include coffee, sugar, corn, rice, and beans. Exports include offshore assembly products, coffee, and sugar. The official currency is the US dollar.
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