Costa Rica Location : Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Capital City : San Jose
Curreny : Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Languages Spoken : Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon
Climate : tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
National Holiday : Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Background Information
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 expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Geographical Note
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Economy
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt and with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector.
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant 0.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Ports : Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas
International Disputes - Risks to travellers
: legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua
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