Costa Rica
Republic of Costa Rica
Capital: San Jose
History
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
Metric Units
|
Total Area
|
51,100
sq km
|
| Land Boundaries |
639
km
|
| Border Countries |
Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km |
| Coastline |
1,290
km
|
| Terrain |
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes |
| Minimum Elevation |
0
m
|
| Maximum Elevation |
3,810
m
|
| Climate |
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands |
| Natural Resources |
hydropower |
| Arable Land |
4.89% |
| Permanent Crops |
6.46% |
Economy
Budget & Debt
Trade
| Exports |
$11.47 billion |
| Export Items |
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar |
| Export Partners |
US 30.4%, China 11.3%, Netherlands 10.9%, UK 9.6%, Mexico 8.5% (2011) |
| Imports |
$16.79 billion |
| Import Items |
raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials |
| Import Partners |
US 43%, Mexico 7%, China 6.2%, Japan 6% (2011) |
People
| Population |
4,695,942 |
| Population Growth |
1.27% |
| Ethnic Groups |
white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% |
| Life Expectancy |
78.06 years |
| Infant Mortality |
1.01 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Maternal Mortality |
2.1 deaths/100,000 live births |
Energy
