General Info: The capitol of Costa Rica is San Jose. The population of Costa Rica is around 4,726,575 people. The age structure is 24.6% for ages 0-14 (Males: 574,876/Females: 549,664), 69.1% for ages 15-64 (Male: 1,588,940/Female: 1,571,573) and 604% for ages 65 and older (Male: 135,017/Female: 156,492). The net migration rate for Costa Rica is 64% for urban population and 36% rural population. There is a 2.1% annual rate of change for urbanization, also. The life expectancy of Costa Ricans is around 77-78 years old but it varies for gender. The life expectancy for males is around 75 years old and for females, it is around 80 years old. People living with HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica is about 9,000-10,000 people. Less than 500 people die from HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica a year. There are many different religions in Costa Rica. 70.5% of Costa Ricans are Roman Catholic. 44.9% of those Roman Catholics are participating and 25.6 are not participating. 13.8% of Costa Ricans are Evangelical Protestants. The remaining 4.3% are nondenominational. Costa Rica is a Spanish speaking country. Therefore, Spanish is their number one language they speak. But because of their tourism, almost every Costa Rican can speak some sort of English. Therefore, English is their second most common language. In Costa Rica, their major imports consist of industry and mining raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, and transportation. The major suppliers consist of the United States of America, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Spain, Guatemala, and Germany. Costa Rica’s Exports consist of coffee, bananas, sugar, cocoa, and meat products from cattle. The money raised from exports is around $6.184 billion a year. The literacy rate is Costa Rica is defined as anyone over the age of 15 can read and write, meaning that 96% of Costa Ricans can read and write. 95.9% are males and 96.1% are females.
Geography: The area of Costa Rica is around 19,730 square miles. That is a little smaller than the state of West Virginia. In Costa Rica, it is usually mild in the central highlands and tropical and subtropical in the coastal areas. In Costa Rica there really are not 4 seasons like we are used to. They have a wet and a dry season. The dry season is from December to April. The wet season is from May to November. Costa Rica shares a border with Nicaragua, at 309 km, and Panama, at 330 km. There is 1,290 km of coast lines. Rugged Mountain separates the coastal plains. There are over 100 volcanoes cones, 4 which are still active. The elevation ranges from 0 m at the ocean up to 3,810 at Cerro Chirripo, the highest mountain in Costa Rica.
Brief History Way back, in early times of what is now Costa Rica, there were not any major indigenous groups like in Mayans or Aztecs. There was just a Central American Mesoamerican tribe and other people from what is today known as Colombia. When Christopher Columbus was on his fourth journey to the “New World in 1502, he made a wrong turn and ran into the now known Isla Uvita, a small island just off the coast from the city of Limon . The people who were already there greeted Columbus wearing their finest gold and jewelry. It impressed Columbus and so he named the land Costa Rica meaning "rich coast” because he thought they were very wealthy. Costa Rica has not always been free or independent. I was once controlled by Spain. Costa Rica eventually wanted independence from Spain. Their Independence day was on September 15, 1821.
Government Current Political Situation The long form of the country name is The Republic of Costa Rica and the short from is Costa Rica. The Spanish name is Republica de Costa Rica or Costa Rica. Costa Rica has a Democratic Republic government system, based off of Spain. The current president of Costa Rica is Abel Pacheco, who was brought into office on May 8, 2002, and won by 58% of the votes against Rolando Araya with 42% votes. Costa Rica has 2 Vice Presidents. The first Vice President is Lineth Saborio, who was also brought into office on May 8, 2002. The second Vice President seat is vacant. Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected at the same time by popular vote, just like the US. The terms are for 4 years and can last for more than 2 terms. The last election was held on February 3, 2002. Costa Rica’s economy strongly relies on tourism and agriculture. Costa Rica has done a very good job over the last 15 years with reducing poverty. Costa Rica’s government has put a safety net in place, as well. There is a high education level and a stable economy, meaning other countries tend to be attracted to import and export with them. There are also seven proinces: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, and San Jose. Costa Rica’s unemployment rate, as of 2004, is at 6.6%. Their population below the poverty line is at 18%. Costa Rica, just like the US, has a constitution, which was issued on November 7, 1949. Their government is based on Spanish civil law system. There are no regular military branches, mainly their police and their government. Costa Rica is very stable, but not perfect. Their main problems are illegal shipment of heroin and cocaine from South America to other countries.
Culture: Costa Rica has several tasty dishes served on a regular. Their most popular is called Casado or Comida Tipica. It includes beans, rice, diced red bell peppers, onions, fried plantains, cabbage, tomato, carrots, and a choice of meat: chicken, fish, pork, or steak covered with grilled onions. The favorite choice of beverage in Costa Rica is usually coffee. It is served everywhere at any time! The fashion in Costa Rica is not much different from out fashion in the US. Their traditional clothing is very much different, though, and varies for gender. For women, the traditional clothing is usually a long layered skirt of bright colors, big puffy sleeves, and the shirt is usually red, blue, or yellow, following a big bow or flower for her hair. For men, it is cummerbund, which is usually red, and a white shirt and pants, along with a scarf around his neck. The most popular sport in Costa Rica is not football, like we know it, but it is soccer. Soccer is the most commonly played sport. In Spanish, it is called football, but it is just soccer. Holidays are very important to Costa Rica. So important that banks, public offices, and majority of store will close over the holiday. The major holidays are listed below. January: - New Year’s Day- anyone in any store or street stops what they are doing, goes out into the streets, and wished each other a happy new year.
March: - Dia de San Jose (Day of Saint Joseph)- Special masses are said for St. Joseph because he is the patron Saint of the capital of Costa Rica- San Jose
April: - Semana Santa- This falls on the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday so it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation. No public transportation runs on these days. - Easter- Religious day - Dia de Juan Santa Maria- A day honoring John Santa Maria who died fighting for Costa Rica in the battle of Rivas in 1856.
May: - Dia de los Trabajadores (Labor Day!)- No one works!
July: - Dia de Guanacaste- celebration of the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824.
August: - Virgen de Los Angeles- celebration of the patron saint of Costa Rica. - Dia de la Madre- Mother’s day!
September: - Independence day- Costa Rica’s independence from Spain
October: - Dia de la Raza- Columbus Day! Celebrates the arrival of Columbus
November: - Dia de los Muertos- All souls day
December: - Navidad- Christmas day!
Art: Costa Rican art is not as different as what many people think. Their traditional art consists of paintings and carefully crafted pottery. Their paintings now are more modern and are very inspirational.
Tourism:There are many things to do in Costa Rica, if you visit. Two of the things I would most definitely do are to enjoy Costa Rica’s forests by zip lining through them and go to Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful forests and scenery. You can take a zip lining tour though the forests. The Adventure Park Costa Rica tour zip lines over 11 waterfalls, takes you over canopy tops and has a variety of 25 different zip lines so you can see whatever you would like to see! You become one with the nature and you feel like you are flying with all the
other animals. http://www.adventureparkcostarica.com/en/canopy-tour-over-11waterfalls.html?gclid=CIeckYe127ICFYNxOgodRAwAww Let’s not forget about the beaches, though! Costa Rica has around 300 different beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean waters. The sand colors vary from white, brown, and black. My favorite beaches are Playa Potrero, Playa Panama, Bahia Salinas, and Playa Coyote. Some other activities you can do in Costa Rica consist of Kayaking, Diving, Biking, Rafting, Fishing, Bungee jumping, Windsurfing, Surfing, ATV/trail riding, Bird Watching, Horseback Riding, Climbing, Zip lining, Cable Car rides, and Golfing.
Current Event: ”Costa Rican street performers juggle, skate and march against new law” On Saturday, September 29, 2012, many street performers, artists, and local people, crowded 2nd street in Costa Rica, not to preform, but to protest! They are protesting a new law that has been pasted saying that no one is allowed to walk in the streets, between cars, or anything else. “Article 106 indicates that pedestrians who walk between vehicles on the road will be fined. The reform also forbids the use of skateboards in public transit (Article 111).” Their concern is how will they get to work if they can’t walk? Their goal was to hold a peaceful protest. They do not want to destroy any property or hurt anyone; they just want their voices to be heard. The locals flooded the streets chanting “Se oye, se siente que el arte está presente” which means “It is heard, it is felt, art is here” Even though the street is now cleared up, their protesting isn’t over yet. They plan to meet on October ninth at the University of Costa Rica. http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Costa-Rican-street-performers-juggle-skate-and-march-against-new-law_Saturday-September-29-2012 http://www.ticotimes.net/
"Beach â Costa Rica Has Nearly 300 Different Beaches along Its Stunning Pacific and Caribbean Coastlines, Each with a Unique Draw and Distinct Setting. Even on Nearby Beaches the Sand Can Vary from White, Black, or Brown Coloration. Some Beaches Are Full of Shells or Scattered with Rocks; Others Are Soft with Fluffy Fine Sand. Some Are Fantastic for Swimming, and Others Are Better for Surfing." Costa Rica Beaches. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/habitat/beach>.
The capitol of Costa Rica is San Jose. The population of Costa Rica is around 4,726,575 people.
The age structure is 24.6% for ages 0-14 (Males: 574,876/Females: 549,664), 69.1% for ages 15-64 (Male: 1,588,940/Female: 1,571,573) and 604% for ages 65 and older (Male: 135,017/Female: 156,492). The net migration rate for Costa Rica is 64% for urban population and 36% rural population. There is a 2.1% annual rate of change for urbanization, also. The life expectancy of Costa Ricans is around 77-78 years old but it varies for gender. The life expectancy for males is around 75 years old and for females, it is around 80 years old. People living with HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica is about 9,000-10,000 people. Less than 500 people die from HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica a year.
There are many different religions in Costa Rica. 70.5% of Costa Ricans are Roman Catholic. 44.9% of those Roman Catholics are participating and 25.6 are not participating. 13.8% of Costa Ricans are Evangelical Protestants. The remaining 4.3% are nondenominational.
In Costa Rica, their major imports consist of industry and mining raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, and transportation. The major suppliers consist of the United States of America, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Spain, Guatemala, and Germany. Costa Rica’s Exports consist of coffee, bananas, sugar, cocoa, and meat products from cattle. The money raised from exports is around $6.184 billion a year.
The literacy rate is Costa Rica is defined as anyone over the age of 15 can read and write, meaning that 96% of Costa Ricans can read and write. 95.9% are males and 96.1% are females.
Geography:
The area of Costa Rica is around 19,730 square miles. That is a little smaller than the state of West Virginia.
In Costa Rica, it is usually mild in the central highlands and tropical and subtropical in the coastal areas.
In Costa Rica there really are not 4 seasons like we are used to. They have a wet and a dry season. The dry season is from December to April. The wet season is from May to November.
Costa Rica shares a border with Nicaragua, at 309 km, and Panama, at 330 km. There is 1,290 km of coast lines. Rugged Mountain separates the coastal plains. There are over 100 volcanoes cones, 4 which are still active. The elevation ranges from 0 m at the ocean up to 3,810 at Cerro Chirripo, the highest mountain in Costa Rica.
Way back, in early times of what is now Costa Rica, there were not any major indigenous groups like in Mayans or Aztecs. There was just a Central American Mesoamerican tribe and other people from what is today known as Colombia.
When Christopher Columbus was on his fourth journey to the “New World in 1502, he made a wrong turn and ran into the now known Isla Uvita, a small island just off the coast from the city of Limon
. The people who were already there greeted Columbus wearing their finest gold and jewelry.
It impressed Columbus and so he named the land Costa Rica meaning "rich coast” because he thought they were very wealthy. Costa Rica has not always been free or independent. I was once controlled by Spain. Costa Rica eventually wanted independence from Spain. Their Independence day was on September 15, 1821.
The long form of the country name is The Republic of Costa Rica and the short from is Costa Rica. The Spanish name is Republica de Costa Rica or Costa Rica.
Costa Rica has a Democratic Republic government system, based off of Spain.
The current president of Costa Rica is Abel Pacheco, who was brought into office on May 8, 2002, and won by 58% of the votes against Rolando Araya with 42% votes. Costa Rica has 2 Vice Presidents. The first Vice President is Lineth Saborio, who was also brought into office on May 8, 2002. The second Vice President seat is vacant. Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected at the same time by popular vote, just like the US. The terms are for 4 years and can last for more than 2 terms. The last election was held on February 3, 2002.
Costa Rica’s economy strongly relies on tourism and agriculture. Costa Rica has done a very good job over the last 15 years with reducing poverty. Costa Rica’s government has put a safety net in place, as well. There is a high education level and a stable economy, meaning other countries tend to be attracted to import and export with them. There are also seven proinces: Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, and San Jose. Costa Rica’s unemployment rate, as of 2004, is at 6.6%. Their population below the poverty line is at 18%.
Costa Rica, just like the US, has a constitution, which was issued on November 7, 1949. Their government is based on Spanish civil law system. There are no regular military branches, mainly their police and their government.
Costa Rica is very stable, but not perfect. Their main problems are illegal shipment of heroin and cocaine from South America to other countries.
Costa Rica has several tasty dishes served on a regular. Their most popular is called Casado or Comida Tipica. It includes beans, rice, diced red bell peppers, onions, fried plantains, cabbage, tomato, carrots, and a choice of meat: chicken, fish, pork, or steak covered with grilled onions. The favorite choice of beverage in Costa Rica is usually coffee. It is served everywhere at any time!
The fashion in Costa Rica is not much different from out fashion in the US. Their traditional clothing is very much different, though, and varies for gender. For women, the traditional clothing is usually a long layered skirt of bright colors, big puffy sleeves, and the shirt is usually red, blue, or yellow, following a big bow or flower for her hair. For men, it is cummerbund, which is usually red, and a white shirt and pants, along with a scarf around his neck.
The most popular sport in Costa Rica is not football, like we know it, but it is soccer. Soccer is the most commonly played sport. In Spanish, it is called football, but it is just soccer.
Holidays are very important to Costa Rica. So important that banks, public offices, and majority of store will close over the holiday. The major holidays are listed below.
January:
- New Year’s Day- anyone in any store or street stops what they are doing, goes out into the streets, and wished each other a happy new year.
March:
- Dia de San Jose (Day of Saint Joseph)- Special masses are said for St. Joseph because he is the patron Saint of the capital of Costa Rica- San Jose
April:
- Semana Santa- This falls on the Thursday and Friday before Easter Sunday so it is considered a Holy Day of Obligation. No public transportation runs on these days.
- Easter- Religious day
- Dia de Juan Santa Maria- A day honoring John Santa Maria who died fighting for Costa Rica in the battle of Rivas in 1856.
May:
- Dia de los Trabajadores (Labor Day!)- No one works!
July:
- Dia de Guanacaste- celebration of the annexation of Guanacaste from Nicaragua in 1824.
August:
- Virgen de Los Angeles- celebration of the patron saint of Costa Rica.
- Dia de la Madre- Mother’s day!
September:
- Independence day- Costa Rica’s independence from Spain
October:
- Dia de la Raza- Columbus Day! Celebrates the arrival of Columbus
November:
- Dia de los Muertos- All souls day
December:
- Navidad- Christmas day!
Art:
Costa Rican art is not as different as what many people think. Their traditional art consists of paintings and carefully crafted pottery. Their paintings now are more modern and are very inspirational.
http://www.adventureparkcostarica.com/en/canopy-tour-over-11waterfalls.html?gclid=CIeckYe127ICFYNxOgodRAwAww
Let’s not forget about the beaches, though! Costa Rica has around 300 different beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean waters. The sand colors vary from white, brown, and black. My favorite beaches are Playa Potrero, Playa Panama, Bahia Salinas, and Playa Coyote.
Some other activities you can do in Costa Rica consist of Kayaking, Diving, Biking, Rafting, Fishing, Bungee jumping, Windsurfing, Surfing, ATV/trail riding, Bird Watching, Horseback Riding, Climbing, Zip lining, Cable Car rides, and Golfing.
Current Event:
”Costa Rican street performers juggle, skate and march against new law”
On Saturday, September 29, 2012, many street performers, artists, and local people, crowded 2nd street in Costa Rica, not to preform, but to protest! They are protesting a new law that has been pasted saying that no one is allowed to walk in the streets, between cars, or anything else. “Article 106 indicates that pedestrians who walk between vehicles on the road will be fined. The reform also forbids the use of skateboards in public transit (Article 111).” Their concern is how will they get to work if they can’t walk? Their goal was to hold a peaceful protest. They do not want to destroy any property or hurt anyone; they just want their voices to be heard. The locals flooded the streets chanting “Se oye, se siente que el arte está presente” which means “It is heard, it is felt, art is here” Even though the street is now cleared up, their protesting isn’t over yet. They plan to meet on October ninth at the University of Costa Rica.
http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/Costa-Rican-street-performers-juggle-skate-and-march-against-new-law_Saturday-September-29-2012
http://www.ticotimes.net/
Works Cited
"Background Note: Costa Rica." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2019.htm>.
"Beach â Costa Rica Has Nearly 300 Different Beaches along Its Stunning Pacific and Caribbean Coastlines, Each with a Unique Draw and Distinct Setting. Even on Nearby Beaches the Sand Can Vary from White, Black, or Brown Coloration. Some Beaches Are Full of Shells or Scattered with Rocks; Others Are Soft with Fluffy Fine Sand. Some Are Fantastic for Swimming, and Others Are Better for Surfing." Costa Rica Beaches. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destinations/habitat/beach>.
"Costa Rica Demographics Profile 2012." Costa Rica Demographics Profile 2012. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.indexmundi.com/costa_rica/demographics_profile.html>.
"Costa Rica Imports - Commodities." - Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.indexmundi.com/costa_rica/imports_commodities.html>.
"Exploring Costa Rica." Personal interview. 12 Sept. 2011.
"Geography and Map of Costa Rica." Geography and Map of Costa Rica. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blccostarica.htm>.
"Know Costa Rica." Know About Costa Rica. N.p., 2011. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://knowaboutcostarica.com/Costa_Rica_Language.html>.
Liberia Costa Rica Information. N.p., 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2012.
"Religion in Costa Rica." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Costa_Rica%20>.
"Where to Go in Costa Rica." Costa Rica. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/home.asp?ididioma=2>.
"Zip Lines over 11 Waterfalls: Canopy Tour and Zip Line Adventure with 25 Zip Lines in Costa Rica." Adventure Park. Uwe Sonderhoff, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2012. <http://www.adventureparkcostarica.com/en/canopy-tour-over-11-waterfalls.html?gclid=CIeckYe127ICFYNxOgodRAwAww>.