More than 80 Miss Universe 2023 contestants were officially welcomed by the government of El Salvador, with the models appearing before photographers and delighting the eyes of ordinary admirers.
Participants from 86 countries were selected to compete, and this year, for the first time in 66 years, married women and women with children were allowed to enter the contest.
Among the African contestants are beauties from Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
The main stages of the competition will take place in a week's time. The semi-finals will be held in El Salvador on November 15, followed by the grand final on November 18. The crown will be presented to the winner by Miss Universe 2022 - American R'Bonnie Gabriel, who became the oldest titleholder in the history of the contest. She won at the age of 28.
Take a look at Sputnik Africa's photo gallery that covers the gala participants from all over the world vying for the coveted crown!