El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. This country has a rich culture and history, making it a goldmine for interesting riddles. Below are 53 brainteasers and puzzles related to El Salvador, along with their answers.
Geography Riddles
Riddles about El Salvador’s Location and Land Features
What tropical body of water forms El Salvador’s southern border? The Pacific Ocean.
What mountain range stretches along El Salvador’s northern border with Honduras? The Sierra Madre range.
El Salvador shares borders with two other Central American countries. Name them. Guatemala and Honduras.
What major river flows from Guatemala across El Salvador into the Pacific Ocean? The Lempa River.
What inland lake located in a crater of the San Salvador volcano has hot springs good for swimming and bathing? Lake Ilopango.
Nature Riddles
What is El Salvador’s national flower that has tube-shaped red blossoms? The izote flower.
What colorful national bird of El Salvador has a curved beak adapted for sucking nectar from flowers? The blue-and-white hummingbird.
Which tiny species of deer found only in El Salvador’s humid forests stands less than 6 inches tall when fully grown? The white-tailed deer.
History and Culture Riddles
Indigenous Civilization Riddles
What was the pre-Columbian civilization that settled El Salvador between 2000 BC and 900 AD called? The Maya.
Pipil is the name of the first indigenous civilization to inhabit El Salvador between 900 AD and the arrival of the Spanish. What modern-day country did they likely migrate from? Mexico.
Name the famous Mayan city whose ruins are found in the El Salvador province of La Libertad. Tazumal.
Spanish Colony Riddles
Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado arrived in the 1520s and gave El Salvador its name meaning “The Savior,” vowing to convert native peoples to what religion? Roman Catholicism.
In 1821 El Salvador and the other Central American provinces declared independence from what European colonial power? Spain.
The Central American Federal Republic united El Salvador with four other newly independent provinces from 1823 to 1839. Name two of them. Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica.
Modern History Riddles
What peasant-led uprising in 1932 against military rule and repression was brutally suppressed in La Matanza? The Salvadoran peasant rebellion.
Name the famous revolutionary leader and left-wing politician who helped lead failed revolts in El Salvador in the 1970s and 80s. Agustín Farabundo Martí.
Who did El Salvador elect in 2019 as its first female president? Nayib Bukele.
Salvadoran Culture Riddles
Indigenous Culture Riddles
Legend says Lenca pottery gets its unique blue-green color from using sap from a tropical tree. What is it called? Indigo.
What traditional sport similar to field hockey played by Pipil people is called Ulama? A Mesoamerican ballgame.
Cacao beans were used as currency by pre-Columbian peoples like the Maya and traded at a central market in which important Salvadoran city? Cuzcatlan.
Folklore and Myth Riddles
La Siguanaba appears in Salvadoran legends as a dangerous woman with what odd physical features? Long black hair covering her face and backward-facing feet.
Salvadoran folk heroes the Hermanos Flores, three brothers with what magical powers, would use them to protect townspeople? Shape-shifting abilities.
Cadejo blanco and Cadejo negro are what type of mythical creatures said to appear at night to travelers in rural El Salvador? Magical spirit dogs (one good white one, one evil black one).
Cuisine Riddles
Sopa de pata is a traditional beef soup that includes an ingredient also found in menudo. What is it? Tripe/beef stomach.
Salvadoran tamales are wrapped in what large green plantain leaves before boiling rather than corn husks? Banana leaves.
Which thick cornmeal drink flavored with cocoa and spices did Pipil warriors drink for strength? Atol de Elote.
Arts and Crafts Riddles
Carpinteros craft beautiful wood furniture like rocking chairs traditionally made from which strong Salvadoran hardwood? Mahogany .
In what decorative craft do artisans tie and dye thin strands of silk fique fibers to create vibrant woven textiles? Hammocks.
Palo Volador (“flying pole”) performances recreate an ancient ritual by pole-climbing men descending while attached to what? Ropes/cables.
Salvadoran Leaders Riddles
Independence Heroes
Which priest who helped spark El Salvador’s independence movement from Spain has the nickname “The Liberator of Central America”? Father José Matías Delgado
Manuel José Arce led the first Salvadoran junta in 1826-1829. What profession did he have before politics? Priest/clergyman.
Which revolutionary general born in Nicaragua that helped Central America gain independence has Salvadoran national honors today? Francisco Morazán.
Political Leaders
Name the military dictator who ruled El Salvador for over 12 years before being ousted in 1979. Carlos Humberto Romero.
The right-wing Arena party dominated Salvadoran politics for 20 years under which ex-president from 1989 to 2009? Alfredo Cristiani.
What former FMLN guerilla leader served as El Salvador’s president from 2009 to 2014? Mauricio Funes.
Salvadoran Places Riddles
Cities and Towns Riddles
Name the city 60 miles east of San Salvador world-famous for its artisans that produce painted clay handicrafts. Izalco.
Which mountain village’s name means “Our Lady of Peace” that is home to a basilica housing El Salvador’s patron saint statue La Virgen de La Paz. Santa María Ostuma.
Suchitoto is one of El Salvador’s loveliest colonial towns, located near the famous Cerron Grande reservoir dam on which river? The Lempa River.
Natural Places Riddles
El Imposible national park gets its name from dense forests on steep slopes making travel very difficult, but “imposible” for what animal? Mule
Joya de Ceren archaeological site has excellently preserved remains of a 600 AD farming village buried under ashes by a volcanic eruption from what infamous peak? Loma Caldera
Name the coastal province whose beaches offer world-class surfing conditions that attract wave riders globally. La Libertad.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 53 riddles about the geography, history, culture, leaders, cities, and natural wonders of the fascinating country El Salvador in Central America! Let me know if you have any other questions.
