Welcome to Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the whole world. Costa Rica possesses a territory of 51 100 square kilometers, but this small piece of land it is home of 6%of the world’s total biodiversity. More than the 25% of Costa Rica area is protected for natural conservation.

Costa Rica is one of the nine most densely disturbed species locations in the world with 1.8 plant and animal species per square meter, and one of the two with the highest species diversity. Costa Rica has 91,000 different plant and animal species. This is equal to 4.5% of all the species found in the world. Costa Rica is ranked 17th in the world for amphibians, 20th place for birds, and 32nd for the number of mammal species. For these and many more reasons Costa Rica has turned into a paradisiacal destination.

For enter to Costa Rica.

Basic Information of Costa Rica

Location: Costa Rica borders on the north with Nicaragua and the southeast with Panama, it is between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean which has Caribbean waters in the south and canals in the northern region.
Area: 19, 730 square miles
Habitantes:.
Current President: Laura Chinchilla
The Capital: San José.
Administrative division: 7 Provinces/ 81 cantons/ 463 districts.
The Highest point: Cerro Chirripo.
The Highest Volcano: Irazu (3,432 meters above sea level).
Language: Spanish.
Currency: Colon.

History and Culture

Costa Rican culture is in many ways a reflection of its racial diversity. The predominant influence has long been European, which still present in many aspects, like the language (Spanish) as well as the architecture of the churches and historic buildings around the country. The indigenous influence is less visible, but you can see this influence throughout the country, with the homemade ceramics sold at roadside stands, to the tortillas served as a part of the Costa Rican typical meal. One of the most important aspects of Costa Ricans legacy is their love for peace and democracy. The Ticos take pride in having more than one hundred years of a democracy and almost 50 year without an army, it was abolished in 1948.

National Symbols

National Anthem: during the government of Juan Rafael Mora in 1852, the director of the military band, Manuel Maria Gutierrez, composed the music¡ the lyrics, however, were not added until 1903, as written by Jose Maria Zeledon.

The National Flag: was the result of the inspiration and creation of Mrs. Pacifica Fernandez in 1848, when it was declared the national emblem. Its colors, in horizontal white, blue, and red stripes symbolize peace, the blue sky, and the bloodshed by the Costa Ricans in order to gain their liberty.

The National Coat of Arm: Declared a national symbol in 1848, when the president of the republic, Jose Maria Castro Madriz, and his wife, Pacifica Fernandez, accepted the design proposed by Antonio Pinto. The coat of arms shows three smoking volcanoes, a valley between two oceans with a merchant ship in each on the horizon there is a rising sun glowing behind two myrtle palms, joined by a wide white band with these words in gold: "Republic of Costa Rica". The space between the volcanoes profile and the myrtle palms is taken up by 7stars, placed in arch, that represent the provinces of Costa Rica.

The Guaria Morada orchid: Was declared the National flower in 1939, is a purple flower or orchid, due to its abundant flowering in the dry season .This beautiful flower is often used to decorate altars during Lent and Easter Week.

The Yiguirro or Clay Colored Thrush: In 1977the yiguirro was declared the national bird so that it along with all the other birds in Costa Rica would be protected. The melodious call of the male coincides with the beginning of the rainy season. It nests in from March until June.

The Guanacaste Tree: A very large tree that grows in open forest, which makes it better to appreciate its beauty. In 1959 the Guanacaste Tree was declared a national symbol, to pay homage to the inhabitants of the province of Guanacaste because of their annexation to Costa Rica in 1824.

The Oxcart: The oxcart and drover are one of the most typical and traditional images of Costa Rica. This was the main transportation for the coffee farmers to get the beans to port of call back in the days. While they are no longer in use in the coffee industry they are world renown for their amazing handcrafted designs. The oxcart was declared a national symbol in 1988.In addition in 2005, the tradition of the oxcart and drover was declared to be a master piece in the Oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Geography of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is localized inside the geographical coordinates 8 ° and 11 °, of north latitude 82 ° and 85 °, of length west. Including it insular área, it has an extension of 51.100 km ² (50.660 km ² of lands and 440 km ² of water). Costa Rica, as a nation is part of the Central American isthusmis, and is extremely varied in relation to geography. Despite it small size Costa Rica is full of mountain ranges, valleys, plateaus, volcanoes, and rivers that run throughout the country. With the Pacific ocean to the west and the Atlantic ocean to the east you have the opportunity to enjoy beautiful sunset as well as wonderful sunrises.

Climate

Costa Rica in general terms has a rainy tropical climate due to the direct result of the winds blowing from the oceans. With fairly stable temperatures the average for the interior of the country is around 72 degrees, but along the coast it is relatively warmer. Costa Rica has two seasons the dry season which is from December to the beginning of April and the rainy season starts at the end of April to November. The months of September and October are usually the months that receive the most amount of rain.. During these months the Caribbean side sees a decrease in the rai.

Government

Costa Rica has enjoyed done of the oldest and most stable democracies in Latin America since 1948; witch the promulgation of a new political constitution, the army was abolished in that year. Its representative form of government is made up of three powers: an Executive, a Legislative and Judicial. The president is elected by popular vote ever y four years.

Language

Spanish and conversational English- spoken in most tourist centers.

Natural Treasures

Costa Rica has many natural treasures such as Vulcan Arenal which is an active volcano. If you are lucky enough to be there on a clear night be prepared for an amazing sight. The volcano just erupts with lava showering the side of its self. One of the best natural treasures Costa Rica has to offer is Coco Island witch located. Cocos Island is home to hundreds of hammerhead sharks, along with all the pelagic species. Cocos Island is teaming with underwater life and is a great place for scuba diving. On the island itself it is considered to be a natural laboratory ideal for studying how species evolve.

National Parks

Costa Rica is truly blessed by having approximately 25% of its territory under protection of a system of national reserves and parks. Most of these protect areas, which total seventy five(75), were established as cent of the world’s flora, fauna and ecosystems, such as the rain forest, swamps, mangroves, dry forest, and several others.

There also biological reserves, national wildlife refuges and privately owned reserves which are considered as parks. A park is defined as a large expanse of land (usually 1000 hectares or more), which intends the conservation of an ecosystem or an area of scenic value. They include Volcanoes, many beaches or coastal areas, rainforest and even some islands.

Links of Interest

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