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El Salvador: background*

*Background: This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.

El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms.

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