Salvador is the capital city of Bahia and one of the oldest cities in Brazil and the Americas. Situated on the northeastern coast of Brazil, Salvador is among the most vibrant of the world’s great cities and one of the most culturally rich. It is the country’s third-largest city and an important economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since its foundation in 1549, Salvador has been known for influencing other cities with its unique blend of Portuguese and African cultures. It is famous for its colorful colonial buildings, historic Pelourinho district, vibrant music scene, and rich Afro-Brazilian culture.

Census in Brazil is done after every 10 years and 2010 was the last time that it was conducted. The next census is scheduled for 2021 in Brazil. According to the 2010 census, Salvador had a population of 2,675,656. Salvador is considered to be one of the most diverse cities in Brazil, with a significant Afro-Brazilian population. According to the 2010 census, 80% of the population is of African or mixed African and European descent. Salvador is also known for its religious diversity, with a large number of followers of Catholicism, Protestantism, and Afro-Brazilian religions such as Candomblé. Elevador Lacerda is one of the most famous landmarks in Salvador, connecting the Upper and Lower Cities and offering breathtaking views of the coastline. Salvador is also home to the largest carnival celebration in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year.

There are two tiers under local government in Salvador. They are citywide and local tier. Citywide administration is coordinated by the Prefecture of Salvador, while local administration is carried out by 163 smaller subprefectures. The Prefecture of Salvador consists of the Mayor of Salvador, who has executive powers, and the Municipal Chamber, which is an assembly of elected representatives who scrutinize the Mayor's decisions and can accept or reject his budget proposals each year. The Prefecture is responsible for strategic planning, security, fire service, transportation, and economic development. On the other hand, the subprefectures are responsible for local services not overseen by the Prefecture, such as local planning, schools, social services, local roads and refuse collection.

Salvador's economy is one of the strongest among cities in the Northeast of Brazil. The city thrives in trade, services, and tourism and has a vibrant culture seeped in commerce. It has a GDP of over R$63 billion, which is about 1 percent of Brazil's total GDP. The Port of Salvador is the most important port in the Northeast region, handling over 5 million tons of cargo every year.

Salvador has been taking positive steps in planning for growth with the publication of infrastructure plans. These plans identify a range of infrastructure priorities for Salvador, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new transportation schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector, through privatized utilities. This has generally worked well in Salvador, although there is a need for improvements in certain areas, such as the capacity in digital infrastructure. The take-up of high speed broadband by businesses is low compared to other world cities; and there are areas where access to superfast broadband is not available, which are seen as priority areas for action by the Mayor.