World Atlas: Costa Rica. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Costa Rica.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Costa Rica. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Costa Rica. But let's start with the flag of Costa Rica here:
Costa Rica - Overview:
What you should know about Costa Rica? Let's start with this: Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a 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. In 1949, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. 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.
Geography of Costa Rica
Where on the globe is Costa Rica? The location of this country is Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama. Total area of Costa Rica is 51,100 sq km, of which 51,060 sq km is land. So this is not a large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes. The lowest point of Costa Rica is Pacific Ocean 0 m, the highest point Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m. And the climate is tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.
Inhabitants of Costa Rica
Let's take a look how many people live in Costa Rica. The number is: 4,930,258 (July 2017 est.). So this is not very populous country. Who lives here? white or mestizo 83.6%, mulato 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.). What are the languages in Costa Rica? Spanish (official), English. And the religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%. How old are the people in average? 31.3 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 78.7 years. Where the people live in Costa Rica? Here: roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population. The major urban areas of Costa Rica are: SAN JOSE (capital) 1.17 million (2015).
Government and Economy of Costa Rica
The capital of Costa Rica is San Jose and the government type presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose. Regarding the economy of Costa Rica, important industrial products are medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products. Important agricultural products are bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timbe. The most important export commodities are bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment and the most important export partners are US 41%, Netherlands 5.8%, Panama 5.7%, Belgium 5.4%, Nicaragua 5.2%, Guatemala 5.2% (2016). The most important import commodities are raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials and the most important import partners are US 37.1%, China 13.5%, Mexico 6.9% (2016). How rich is Costa Rica and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $17,200 (2017 est.). This is quite good. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 21.7% (2014 est.).