COSTA RICA

COST RICE - CAPITAL -- SAN JOSE

Costa Rica borders on one side on Panama and the other on Nicaragua. It is between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean with the Gulf of Nicoya. It is most properly the most peaceful country in Central America; it has no army.

HISTORY

Before the Spanish conquest, Costa Rica indigenous people were the Nahuati who lived in the north-west of the country. The Chibcha lived in the central and southern country. However, after the Spaniards invaded, they either died of smallpox or of ill-treatment from the Spaniard.

Since Costa Rico was not on a trade route, it was ignored by the Spanish monarch. This enabled the Costa Ricans to develop in peace and quietness.  Another problem contribute to the situation was that the indigenous people almost died out and the Spaniard had no labour force like in the other colonies.

NATIONAL THEATRE

COSTA RICA BEACH

PRE-HISTORIC 
INCENSE BURNER 
WITH CROCODILES' HEADS

Since the country received its independence from Spain in 1821 and has then a long history of stable, democratically elected government ever since.

After 1821 Costa Rica became part of the Mexican Empire for a short while.  Then it joined the Federal Republic of Central America from 1823 till 1839.  Although it joined the Federal Republic, disputes broke out about borders and Costa Rica entered into another turbulent time.

In 1838 Costa Rica withdrew its membership and proclaimed it sovereign.

However a civil war did break out in 1948 and there were 2000 dead and it lasted 44 days.  After that the people decided they did not want anymore blood-shed and done away with the army. Ever since Costa Rica is the most peaceful country in the world.

JUNGLE

Costa Rica has a swampy, tropical area on the coast which has an enormous exotic wildlife with inaccessible forests. Right through the middle of the country runs a mountain range with high plateaus which also includes several volcanoes with a height of over 3500m.

These central highlands are called meseta central and are cooler than the plains. The plains are very fertile and most of the population live there. The capital is San Jose and built in the meseta. The city Cartago, which is closed by, used to be the capital of the country during the Spanish occupation.

The country has famous wildlife conservation and dedicated 11 % of the country to a national park. A total of 27 % of the country have some form of protection which includes monkeys, sloths and sea turtles. Rare species of jaguars, tapirs and harpy eagles can be found in these areas.

The population consists of mestizo (of mixed race) or white. The remaining 6000 Indians live mostly in the mountains. There are a small number of black people which are descended from African slave and live near the coastal area.

Schools are free and Costa Rica spends most of its budget on education.

COFFEE PLANTATION

ECONOMY

They have a booming tourist industry. The mining and food processing are growing but the main economy is still agricultural. Coffee and bananas, which grow very well on the volcanic soil, are their main export. Farmers there owe their own land and work on it themselves.

COSTA RICA -- VOLCANO

COSTA RICA IS A SHINING EXAMPLE ESPECIALLY FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA BUT ALSO FOR THE WHOLE WORLD. IT PROSPERS BECAUSE IT HAS NO ARMY AND DOES NOT GET INVOLVE IN WAR.