Salvadoran land measurements, explained

Manzanas, varas², tareas: units you won't find on a normal calculator. Here's what they actually mean.

Vara²

Traditional Salvadoran measurement. One vara² equals 0.699 square meters (official). Read more →

Tarea

Regional agricultural measurement, not official. 16 tareas = 1 manzana. One tarea = 437 square meters. Read more →

Brazada²

Traditional arm-span measurement, 2 varas. One brazada² equals about 2.80 square meters. Read more →

Manzana

10,000 varas² = 6,989 square meters (official Central American measurement). Read more →

Hectare

International measurement used by government. 1 hectare = 10,000 square meters.

Meter²

The international metric system, used worldwide including in official Salvadoran land records.

Foot²

Imperial system, common in the US, used by many American buyers and retirees.

Acre

Traditional English land measurement, still widely used in the US and other English-speaking countries.