Integrated metropolitan management
Introduction
The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (AMSS) or the Greater San Salvador or the Greater Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (GAMSS) is a conurbation of Central America, formed by 23 districts of seven municipalities,[1] that make up the territorial unit of the Salvadoran capital and has an area of 1167.01 km² with a population of 1,711,476 inhabitants according to the population and housing census. 2024.[2] It is a city in full growth, where 28.38% of the country's total population lives.
The Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (AMSS) or the Greater Metropolitan Area of San Salvador (GAMSS) is a conglomerate made up of 23 districts in seven municipalities. It was established in 1993 through Legislative Decree No. 732 of the Law of Development and Territorial Planning of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador and the Surrounding Municipalities with 14 original districts. In 2024, said law was reformed through Legislative Decree No. 126 under which 9 districts belonging to the department of La Libertad were added, giving a total of 23 districts. This regulation establishes that, depending on their urban development, these municipalities constitute a single urban unit.
The most densely populated district is Cuscatancingo with 68,137 inhabitants, and a total area of 5.4 km². Therefore, the population density is 12,617.96 people per square kilometer. While the least densely populated is the district of Teotepeque with a population of 9,862 inhabitants and a total area of 109.67 km². Therefore, the population density is 89.92 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The AMSS stands out as the main political, economic and cultural center of El Salvador. Despite occupying only 5.71% of the national territory, it is home to 28.38% of the country's total population and concentrates 70% of public and private investment.
In recent decades, the AMSS has experienced notable urban growth, with the construction of infrastructure such as roads, buildings, homes, streets and bridges. This development has led to the migration of people from other cities and rural areas of the country to the metropolitan area, increasing its population year after year.