In the 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica ranked 44th in the world and second among Latin American countries after Mexico in 2011. Costa Rica is an observer of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. [145], In 2002, there were 0.58 new general practitioner (medical) consultations and 0.33 new specialist consultations per capita, and a hospital admission rate of 8.1%. All four of Costa Rica's Olympic medals were won by the sisters Silvia and Claudia Poll in swimming, with Claudia winning the only gold medal in 1996. description for amazing white water coastal beach, surf view gold coast / best buy costa rica TWO PROPERTIES -- HUGE OCEAN VIEWS, 360 DEGREE VIEWS, "A NATURAL ATTRACTION LIVE WITH NATURE"\r1C - 12.72 ACRES; $195,000\r2C - 8.54 ACRES; $155,000\r\rCOLINAS DE VENADO IS AN EXCLUSIVE, GATED COMMUNITY OFFERING ONLY 15 PARCELS ON 100 ACRES BORDERING THE … For all these reasons, Costa Rica was, by and large, unappreciated and overlooked by the Spanish Crown and left to develop on its own. Mount, Graeme S. "Costa Rica and the Cold War, 1948–1990. The island has a roughly rectangular shape and is about 23.85 square km in size. In only five square kilometers of coral reef, scientists have discovered 600 species of mollusks, 10 percent of which are unique in the world. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. [43] In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Costa Rican Constitution. Canada ranked first for area > total amongst Christian countries in 2013. On 10 September 1961, some months after Fidel Castro declared Cuba a socialist state, Costa Rican President Mario Echandi ended diplomatic relations with Cuba through Executive Decree Number 2. [116] However, they represent less than 1% of the population.[117][118]. It has a population of around 5 million in a land area of 51,060 square kilometers (19,714 square miles). Costa Rica experiences a tropical climate year round. Population: 4.8 million, with around a quarter aged under 15. Colombia), and lack of resources such as gold and silver, made Costa Rica into a poor, isolated, and sparsely-inhabited region within the Spanish Empire. At the end of a day of adventure, enjoy a drink as you experience the world-famous Costa Rican sunset from your private pool. clean energy to generate power for over 90 days", "Costa Rica's Electricity Is Nearly At 100% Renewable Energy", "A bird-eye view of Costa Rica's transport infrastructure", "Latin American countries with the largest number of international tourist arrivals in 2015 (in millions)", "Costa Rica: Flow of Visitors Up 10% in 2016", "Tourism Represents 5.8% of GDP in Costa Rica - Costa Rica Star News", "Costa Rica alcanza cifra récord en llegadas internacionales: 2,9 millones de visitantes", "Turismo, principal motor de la economía durante el 2004", "Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2011", "Costa Rica Ranks 38th in Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Report 2017 - Costa Rica Star News", "The Most Ethical Travel Destinations for 2017", "Costa Rican Ministry of International Relations Declaration of Objectives", "Costa Rica re-establishes ties with Cuba", "International Court of Justice recent provisional Costa Rica-Nicaragua decision", "World Court Settles San Juan River Dispute; Nicaragua and Costa Rica Both Claim Victory", "Costa Rica Boots Taiwan, Welcomes China In Diplomatic Switch", "UN News - UN Member States set to adopt 'historic' treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons", "Costa Rica's peace dividend: How abolishing the military paid off", "Chapter XXVI: Disarmament – No. Keller, Marius; Niestroy, Ingeborg; García Schmidt, Armando; Esche, Andreas. "[44], In 2017, Costa Rica signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The property is fully developed with electricity, city water, internet via UMTS modem is available, satellite TV can be registered. Historically, Costa Rica has generally enjoyed greater peace and more consistent political stability than many of its fellow Latin American nations. Data is taken from the United Nations Statistics Division. 3. [95] In response, the PRC built a new, $100 million, state-of-the-art football stadium in Parque la Sabana, in the province of San José. Area: 51,100 square kilometres. As a result, bananas came to rival coffee as the principal Costa Rican export, while foreign-owned corporations (including the United Fruit Company later) began to hold a major role in the national economy and eventually became a symbol of the exploitative export economy. [38] The major labor dispute between the peasants and the United Fruit Company (The Great Banana Strike) was a major event in the country's history and was an important step that would eventually lead to the formation of effective trade unions in Costa Rica, as the company was required to sign a collective agreement with its workers in 1938.[39][40]. Since the late 19th century, however, Costa Rica has experienced two significant periods of violence. It remained a peripheral colony of the empire until independence as part of the First Mexican Empire, followed by membership in the Federal Republic of Central America, from which it formally declared independence in 1847. The presence of Clovis culture type spearheads and arrows from South America opens the possibility that, in this area, two different cultures coexisted. It remains the only country in Central and South America without an army. It has a total of 1,290 kilometres (800 mi) of coastline. The budget previously dedicated to the military is now dedicated to providing health care services and education. Costa Rica is a Central American country close to the equator with coastlines touching both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, wedged between Nicaragua and Panama. The extreme terrain of Costa Rica also makes many locations impassible due to mangroves, high mountains with low valleys between, marshland, protected areas, etc…. Exceptions are Guanacaste, where almost half the population is visibly mestizo, a legacy of the more pervasive unions between Spanish colonists and Chorotega Amerindians through several generations, and Limón, where the vast majority of the Afro-Costa Rican community lives. The scope was ambitious. [12] Well over half of that type of investment has come from the U.S.[57] According to the government, the zones supported over 82,000 direct jobs and 43,000 indirect jobs in 2015. There is also a small Muslim community of about 500 families, or 0.001% of the population. Origins: Largely of Spanish extraction, though there’s a substantial community of English-speaking Costa Ricans of African origin along the Caribbean coast, as well as 64,000 indigenous people. The country's national territory is 51,100 square kilometers, which makes it about half the size of Kentucky, or slightly larger than Switzerland. With a total area of about 129,494 square kilometers (49,998 square miles), the country is slightly smaller than the state of New York. In total, Costa Rica has 51,100 square kilometres (19,700 sq mi) plus 589 square kilometres (227 sq mi) of … The country scored highest in environmental protection among the winners. ", "PURA VIDA: The Most Important Costa Rica Spanish Expression", "Bienvenidos a Costa Rica, la tierra de la pura vida: A Study of the Expression "pura vida" in the Spanish of Costa Rica", "World Happiness Report 2017 – World Happiness Report", "Revealed: The world's 10 happiest countries for 2019", "World Cup: Costa Rica defies the odds in winning Group D", "Navas Carries Costa Rica to World Cup Quarters", "World Cup 2014: Paulo Wanchope, the player who put Costa Rica on the map, has warning for England", "Costa Rica and Panama to host FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2020", "Bureau of the FIFA Council decisions on FIFA events", "Update on FIFA Club World Cup 2020 and women's youth tournaments", "International Human Development Indicators", "Long-Lived Costa Ricans Offer Secrets to Reaching 100", "Report from the 'Blue Zone': Why Do People Live Long in Costa Rica? The impact of indigenous peoples on modern Costa Rican culture has been relatively small compared to other nations, since the country lacked a strong native civilization to begin with. There are 14 known volcanoes in Costa Rica, and six of them have been active in the last 75 years.[45]. [126] Often, people walking down the streets, or buying food at shops say hello by saying Pura Vida. The three largest countries in Central America all had an area of more than 100 thousand square kilometers. km globally in 2008. The central and southern portions of the country had Chibcha influences. In a report released by the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) and Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC) on Friday, about 7,900 square kilometers (3,050 square miles… The perinatal mortality rate dropped from 12.0 per 1000 in 1972 to 5.4 per 1000 in 2001.[146]. Fact 12: Over 2000 types of plants that you find in the rainforest can be used to help aide in cancer treatment because they have anti-cancer properties. Situated in Liberia, Costa Rica, this hotel is located opposite Daniel Oduber International Airport and features an international restaurant, outdoor pool and modern rooms with 32-inch LCD TV. ... Guanacaste and Limón), 81 cantons and 463 districts. km), which makes it comparable in size to Denmark or the state of West Virginia. [1] By 2016, the UN estimation for the population was around 5 million.[5][6]. : page 4 It was also the tenth most densely populated region with 81 people per square kilometer. On 15 September 1821, after the final Spanish defeat in the Mexican War of Independence (1810–21), the authorities in Guatemala declared the independence of all of Central America. [122] The article included this summary: "Costa Ricans enjoy the pleasure of living daily life to the fullest in a place that mitigates stress and maximizes joy". [65], Costa Rica has free trade agreements with many countries, including the US. United States is about 192 times bigger than Costa Rica.. Costa Rica is approximately 51,100 sq km, while United States is approximately 9,833,517 sq km, making United States 19,144% larger than Costa Rica. There are no significant trade barriers that would affect imports and the country has been lowering its tariffs in accordance with other Central American countries. [33][34], Most of the coffee exported was grown around the main centers of population in the Central Plateau and then transported by oxcart to the Pacific port of Puntarenas after the main road was built in 1846. Within that area are 21,000 residents. Send to a friend Contact Costa Rica: 51,060 sq km 2008: 123: Dominican Republic: 48,320 sq km 2008: 124: Slovakia: 48,100 sq km ... China ranked first for land area > sq. Urban land area (sq. The land area of this house is 111,00 square meter (1.194,79 square feet), and it has a living space of 70,00 square meter (753,47 square feet). It borders the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometres (800 mi) of coastline, 212 km (132 mi) on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km (631 mi) on the Pacific. The capital and largest city is San Jose, which has a population of 333,980 and a high population density of 6,455 people per square kilometer (16,720/square mile). [66] A US government report confirms that the country has "historically placed a high priority on education and the creation of a skilled work force" but notes that the high school drop-out rate is increasing. Costa Rica has been cited as Central America's great health success story. The majority of the Afro-Costa Ricans are Creole English-speaking descendants of 19th century black Jamaican immigrant workers.[101][102]. [23] Costa Rica was described as "the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all America" by a Spanish governor in 1719. Urban land area (sq. The official language of the country is Spanish, but Mekatelyu and Bribri are both recognized indigenous languages. Stats The "summer" or dry season is December to April, and "winter" or rainy season is May to November. Send to a friend Contact [108] In 2016, the country was called a "magnet" for migrants from South and Central America and other countries who were hoping to reach the U.S.[109][110]. Population of Costa Rica; GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Costa Rica; Demographics of Latin America and the Caribbean ; World Demographics; … [63], High quality health care is provided by the government at low cost to the users. [143][144] According to NEF, Costa Rica's lead is due to its very high life expectancy which is second highest in the Americas, and higher than the United States. Punta Uva is located near Gandoca Wild Life Refuge, this flat parcel for sale in Costa Rica`s paradise has a very attractive price of $60 x meter square when the average price is $100 x m2. Costa Rica became a "rural democracy" with no oppressed mestizo or indigenous class. [123] It is not surprising then that one of the most recognizable phrases among "Ticos" is "Pura Vida", pure life in a literal translation. km amongst East Asia and Pacific in 2008. There is limited use of private, for-profit services (around 14.4% of the national total health expenditure). Fact 13: Corcovado National Park in the South Pacific area of Costa Rica is the most diverse rainforest (per hectare) in the World.Meaning than in each hectare of Corcovado there are more different species than anywhere in the World. In 1993, laws were passed to enable elected health boards that represented health consumers, social insurance representatives, employers, and social organizations. The index measures the health and happiness they produce per unit of environmental input. [103][104] Some Nicaraguans migrate for seasonal work opportunities and then return to their country. miles). Contrary to what people believe, Costa Rica is not an island, it`s just that sometimes, we get mixed up with Puerto Rico, and funny, sometimes people write and call us asking for trips to Costa Rico, or Puerta Rica, or all sorts of combinations. It stretches across 51,100 square kilometers, which is the size of the country. [85] The trail Camino de Costa Rica supports this by allowing travelers to walk across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. One of Costa Rica’s main sources of income is tourism. [35] It soon became a high priority to develop an effective transportation route from the Central Plateau to the Atlantic Ocean. 1 LOCATION AND SIZE Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. "Hechos Militares y Políticos de Nuestra Historia Patria". Costa Rica is recognized in Latin America for the quality of its educational system. [58] Companies with facilities in the America Free Zone in Heredia, for example, include Intel, Dell, HP, Bayer, Bosch, DHL, IBM and Okay Industries. The country has 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles) of land, which is slightly less than the size of West Virginia, including the Isla del Coco (a small island in the Pacific Ocean). [4] The rate of secularism is high by Latin American standards. W; Largest Countries in the World (ranked by area) Largest Countries in the World (by area) The largest country in the world is Russia with a total area of 17,098,242 Km² (6,601,665 mi²) and a land area of 16,376,870 Km² (6,323,142 mi²), equivalent to 11% of the total world's landmass of 148,940,000 Km² (57,510,000 square miles).. See also: Most Populous Countries Since then, Costa Rica has held 14 presidential elections, the latest in 2018. [135][136] On 17 November 2020, FIFA announced that the event would be held in Costa Rica in 2022. Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría, Costa Rica, 1981. The border with Costa Rica is 330 kilometers (205 miles), while the border with Colombia is 225 kilometers (140 miles). [11] Its economy, once heavily dependent on agriculture, has diversified to include sectors such as finance, corporate services for foreign companies, pharmaceuticals, and ecotourism. Costa Rica is only 51,100 square miles (19,700 square kilometers). [106] The number of migrants declined in later years but in 2015, there were some 420,000 immigrants in Costa Rica[107] and the number of asylum seekers (mostly from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua) rose to more than 110,000, a fivefold increase from 2012. [131][unreliable source?]. Costa Rica is a small country encompassing 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 sq miles). Permanent programs, such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica and the Youth Symphony Orchestra, are conjunctions of two areas of work: Culture and Youth. (2016)[53] Agriculture employs 12.9% of the labor force, industry 18.57%, services 69.02% (2016)[61] For the region, its unemployment level is moderately high (8.2% in 2016, according to the IMF). The breakfast was awesome - my kids were super happy and it was a good first morning in Costa Rica. The most significant products imported in 2015 (in order of dollar value) were refined petroleum, automobiles, packaged medications, broadcasting equipment and computers. The Geography of Costa Rica Total Size: 51,100 square km Size Comparison: slightly smaller than West Virginia Geographical Coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W World Region or Continent: Central America General Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes Geographical Low Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Brazil ranked first for land area > sq. This is roughly the size of West Virginia or Denmark. [126] When used as a question, the connotation would be "everything is going well?" Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north (309 km or 192 mi of border) and Panama to the southeast (639 km or 397 mi of border). Each health committee manages an area equivalent to one of the 83 administrative cantons of Costa Rica. 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