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Costa Rica is a
Central American success story: since the late 19th century,
only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development.
Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a
relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread. Tourism
is a rapidly expanding industry. Costa Rica in
Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific
Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Its width ranges from 119 to 282km (74
to 176 miles).
The country has an estimated (July 2000 )
population of 3,710,558 people.
Spanish is the official language, but English is also spoken around Puerto
Limon.Common dishes include casado (rice, beans,
stewed beef, fried plantain, salad and cabbage) and sopa negra (black
beans with a poached egg). Coffee is good value and has an excellent
flavor. San José has many nightclubs and venues with folk music and dance.
There are several theatres and cinemas.
The
climate of Costa Rica is renowned as an
atmospheric treat. Mild subtropical conditions prevail year-round, and
discomforting temperature extremes and prolonged periods of gray are
practically nonexistent. Temperature varies mainly according to elevation,
the higher the cooler. The brunt of the rainy season lasts from May
through November, while a brief dry spell pays a visit from February to
April. Costa Rica's rain falls mainly on the Caribbean coast, giving the
Pacific a much more arid climate.
There are lowlands
on both coastlines, swampy on the Caribbean coast, with grassland savannah
on the Pacific side merging into swamps towards the south. Rivers cut
through mountain ranges, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the
Pacific. On the Caribbean coast there are a number of beaches, ports and
towns worth visiting. Braulio Carrillo National Park in the central region
of the country has five kinds of forest. Orchids and ferns, jaguars,
ocelots and the Baird tapir may all be seen here. The country has a very
good system of national parks and preserves .
They aim to ensure the survival of Costa Rica's spectacular biological
diversity, its 850 species of birds, 205 species of mammals, 376 types of
reptiles and amphibians, and more than 9,000 species of flowering plants,
among them 1,200 varieties of orchids. It embraces a vast array of
habitats, covering more than 14% of the national territory.
The capital, San José was founded in 1737
and is a pleasant mixture of traditional and modern Spanish architecture.
Places of interest include the Teatro Nacional and the Parque Central east
of which is the Cathedral. The National Museum and the Museum of Gold are
also worth a visit. There are a number of other parks in the city,
including the Parque Nacional, the Parque Bolivar and the Parque Morazan.
Costa Rica, so far, has not suffered the
same problems as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and other Central American
countries. The country has a stable democracy, and has
managed to avoid political unrest and
remain a peaceful nation. The army was abolished in 1949. Costa Ricans
call themselves Ticos, They are very proud of their history and culture,
but they are also a remarkably polite and accommodating people.
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