Costa Rica
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry information - Costa Rica
Country name - conventional long form : Republic of Costa Rica
Country name - conventional short form : Costa Rica
Country name - local long form : Republica de Costa Rica
Country name - local short form : Costa Rica
Country name - former :
Country code : CS
Government type : democratic republic
Capital - name : San Jose
Capital - time difference : UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Population : 4,195,914 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Costa Rican(s)
Nationality - adjective : Costa Rican
Languages : Spanish (official), English
Currency (code) : Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Currency code : CRC
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk : intermediate
Major infectious diseases - note :
Costa Rica is located Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. The climate is tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands. The terrain is coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background - combination of factors, including : disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
