About Costa Rica
THE COUNTRY & THE TICOS
Costa Rica is a small destiny but a rich country because its people, its education, its learning skills and its racial diversity. This natural wealth consists on the fauna, flora, rivers, beaches in both oceans, spectacular volcanos and the great weather to produce any time of the year. Costa Rica Army is full only by teachers and the ticos workers, from a regular to a MBA, all of us existing in harmony. The most of the citizens descends from the Spanish and European colonizadores. The official language is Spanish and we have an extension of 51,100 km2, home of 4 000 000 people, full with hospitality spirit.Costa Rica is one of the greatest tourist destinies on earth.
- Population: 4 000 000 citizens
- Capital City: San Jose
- Official language: Spanish
- Currency: Colon
- Official Religion: Catholic
- Political system: Democracy
- National Bird: Yigüirro (Clay-Colored Robin)
- National Flower: The Purple Orchid (Guarianthe skinneri)
- National tree: Guanacaste Tree ( Enterolobium cyclocarpum )
HISTORY
Costa Rica was discovered by Christobal Columbus on 1502, on his fourth jorney to America. Columbus' Carabelas (boats) arrived near Cariari Island, today known as Limon, on Caribbean coast. Impressed by the exuberance of the vegetation and natives abundance of jewelry, Columbus baptized this land with the name of Costa Rica (rich coast).
The army was abolished in 1948 through the writing of a new Constitution promoted by Don Jose Figueres Ferrer. This country has been nominated 12 times for the Premio Nobel de la Paz (Nobel prize for the peace).
POLITICAL DIVISION 
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, these are: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Puntarenas, Guanacaste, and Limon.
LOCATION
Costa Rica borders Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, Atlantic Ocean to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west. Costa Rican Atlantic coast measures 255 kms, and the Pacific coast has 1,103 kms. Both coasts enjoy an abundance of beaches of first class and with a exuberante vegetation.
WEATHER
In general, the climate in Costa Rica is very pleasant. Due to factors such as the geographical location, the weather conditions, the formation of mountain chains, mountains, and valleys, this country experiences different microclimates that give a home to different types of vegetation.
TRANSPORT
Costa Rica is very accessible. Visitors from Canada, USA, Mexico and other Latin America countries would drive along the Carretera Interamericana, which is opened all year long. We are located on Central American isthmus, with ports on both oceans which are equipped with highest technology according to international standards (Puerto Moin and Puerto Limon -Atlantic- and Caldera -Pacific-).
LANGUAGE
The official language is Spanish. The second language for a large portion of the population is English.
CAPITAL CITY:
San Jose
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NATIONAL PARKS
20 National Parks: Arenal Volcano, Barra Honda, Braulio Carrillo, Cahuita, Chirripo, Corcovado, Guanacaste, Coco Island, La Amistad, Las Baulas, Manuel Antonio, Marino Ballena, Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja, Santa Rosa and Bolanos Island, Tapanti, Tortuguero, Irazu Volcano, Poas Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco.
WILDLIFE NATIONAL REFUGIES
Curu, Ostional, Tamarindo, Barra del Colorado, Gandoca-Manzanillo, Golfito, Caño Negro, La Marta and Junquillal.
BIOLOGICAL RESERVES
Manuel Antonio, Barbilla, Carara, Hitoy-Cerere, Caño Island, Guayabo-Negritos Island and Pajaros Island, Lomas de Barbudal, Hacienda la Pacífica, Marenco, Monte Verde, Rara Avis, Cabo Blanco and Barú Farm .
FOREST RESERVES
Cordillera Volcanica Central, Golfo Dulce, Grecia, Los Santos, Matina-Pacuare, Macho River, Taboga, Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno Recreational area, Bosque Eterno de los Niños, Bosque Nacional Diria, Lankester Gardens U.C.R. and Las Cruces Botanical garden.
PROTECTED AREAS
Water-bearing Guacimo Pococi, Arenal, Monteverde, Caraigres, Carpintera, Cerro Atenas, Cerros de Escazu, Cerros de Turrubares, Cerro Nara, Tuis River basin, Chayote, El Rodeo, La Cangreja, La Selva, Las Tablas, Montes de Oro, Miravalles, Pacuare, Banano River, Grande River, Sombrero River and Navarro River, Tivives, Tenorio, Tiribi, Tortuguero and Horizontes U.C.R. Experimental Station.
NATIONAL MONUMENTS
Archaeological Guayabo (Archaeological ruins)
VOLCANOES
Irazu, Turrialba, Barba, Poas, Miravalles, Tenorio, Rincón de la Vieja, Orosi, Arenal.
