El Salvador is divided into 14 departments (Spanish: departamentos) for administrative purposes, subdivided into 44 municipalities (municipios) and 262 districts.

[3] March 15, 1847: La Paz department is abolished and reincorporated into San Vicente.

[4] January 26, 1865: La Libertad department is separated from San Salvador.

[2][3] June 22, 1865: Usulutan and La Union departments are separated from San Miguel.

[2][3] February 10, 1873: Cabañas department is created from parts of Cuscatlan and San Vicente.