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Information
on Costa Rica
COSTA RICA PEOPLE
Trough a small country, Costa Rica is rich
for its people: good education level and learning abilities, and
high specialty standards. Its natural richness lies in its fauna,
flora, rivers, beaches on both oceans, its land and its climate
which permits all year round production.
There are no political or social events that
can break the country's stability. Costa Rica's army is formed
by its teachers and a vast working class who, from the simplest
worker to a specialized biotechnical, live together peacefully.
Costa Ricans are known for their proverbial cordiality and their
friendly nature. The vast majority of the inhabitants descend
from Spanish and European colonist. Spanish is the official language;
nonetheless, an increasing percentage of the population speaks
English.
Due to these special characteristics, Costa
Rican exports have steadily grown since more than twelve years
ago, recently holding a first place in Latin America. Local and
foreign investments have permitted such development.
Production ranges from the best and finest
coffee to ostrich meat and beautiful butterflies that rejoice
European markets. Program development ranges from software to
plantation of "pejibaye" heart of palm, now being reproduced
by other countries.
With an extension of 51.000 km2 Costa Rica
is home to 3.303.809 friendly spirited inhabitants who invite
you to get to know their country.
COSTA
RICA HISTORY
Costa Rica was discovered by Cristopher
Columbus in 1502, on his fourth trip to the Americas. His sailing
ship anchored off the coast of Cariari Island, close to what today
is know as Port Limon, on the Caribbean coast. Impressed by the
exuberant vegetation and abundance of gold jewelry and adornments
worn by native inhabitants, Columbus called this land Costa Rica
(Coast of Plenty).
Costa Rica celebrated its 100th anniversary
of democracy in 1989. The army was abolished In 1948 by means
of a new Constitution promoted by Mr. Jos‚ Figueres Ferrer. Ever
since, Costa Rica has had no army; its General Quarters were transformed
into the National Museum. The country has been 12 times nominated
for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1989 Dr. Oscar Arias S nchez,
President at that time, was granted this prestigious prize for
his efforts in the negotiations to end the civil wars in other
Central American countries.
POLITICAL DIVISION
Costa Rica is administratively
divided into seven provinces: San José, its capital city, Alajuela,
Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limón.
COSTA
RICA LOCATION
Costa Rica borders to the North with Nicaragua, to the South
with Panama, and to the East and West with the Caribbean Sea and
Pacific Ocean respectively. The Caribbean coast is 255 kms. long,
while the Pacific coast is 1.103 Kms. long. Both coasts are abundant
on first class beaches and exuberant vegetation .
 COSTA
RICA CLIMATE
Costa Rica enjoys a springlike weather all year round. The
average temperature in the Central Valley is 72§ F (22§ C). The
temperature near the coasts and on the beaches ranges between
70§ to 90§ F (21§ to 32§ C).
Due to the abundance of microclimates, there
are more than 12 ecosystems according to the scale of Holdrieschl.
The abundance of microclimates has produced one of the richest
fauna and flora found in the planet. The greenery and climate
make Costa Rica an everlasting spring country.
COSTA
RICA EDUCATION
Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the continent.
Ninety-four percent of the population is literate.
COSTA
RICA TRANSPORTATION
Due to its convenient location, Costa Rica is readily accessed
by land, sea and air. Visitors from Canada, United States, Mexico
and the rest of the Latin American countries can travel all year
round by land via the Interamerican Highway. There are also many
airlines flying into Costa Rica, among which are: LACSA, AERO
COSTA RICA, COPA, SAHSA, TACA, SAM, AMERICAN AIRLINES, CONTINENTAL,
UNITED, CONDOR and LTU from Germany, CANADIAN NATIONAL AIR, LADECO,
IBERIA, MEXICANA, KLM, AVIATECA, VARIG, SERVIVENSA. Located on
the Central American Isthmus, Costa Rica has ready access to the
farthest reaches of the world thanks to its ports on both oceans
which have high-tech infrastructure, accordingly to international
requirements. Such is the case of Port Moín on the Caribbean,
and Port Caldera on the Pacific.
 COSTA
RICA COMMUNICATIONS
Costa Rica has satelite connections with all the Central
American countries, the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico,
South America, Asia and Africa. Apart from direct dialing, fax
and telex communications to most of the countries in the world,
it has an efficient mailing system and offers several courier
services.
COSTA
RICA , THE GOVERNMENT
The 1949 political Constitution guarantees its citizens legal
equality, freedom of expression, of meeting, of press, and the
right to form organizations; furthermore, it guarantees these
rights to all Costa Rican citizens and to all foreigners living
in Costa Rica, saving the right to vote for nationals, only.
The Constitution prohibits the establishment
of an army, which places Costa Rica among the very few, if not
the only country in the world, free from military forces and interests.
Social order is efficiently safeguarded by the police force.
The present political structure is divided
into three main branches: the Legislative Branch(a single house
Congress) is made up of 57 Congressmen, popularly elected for
a 4 year term; the Executive Branch includes the President, Two
Vice Presidents and 18 Ministers, whose Ministries form the Presidential
Cabinet; the Judicial Branch includes the Supreme Court of Justice,
4 appeal courts, and the Criminal, Civil and Special Courts. Each
Branch is independent and they have a check and balance system
similar to that of the United States of America.
Elections take place every four years; the
President, Congressmen and Municipal Representatives are then
popularly chosen. The Constitution prohibits presidential re-election.
In addition to the three Branches, and functioning
with them, the Supreme Tribunal of Elections is considered to
be a fourth Branch. This body has both the responsibility and
authority to organize and supervise all activities related to
national elections. This protection of the right to vote is very
cherished by all Costa Rican citizens.
COSTA
RICA HOLIDAYS
January 1 (New Year's Day)
May 1 (Labor Day)
September 15 (Independence Day)
December 25 (Christmas)
Two day in March or April (Holy Thursday Good Friday) |
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