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COSTA RICA COUNTRY PROFILE
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Costa Rica, or the Republic of Costa Rica, as it is officially named, is a country in Central America. It is bordered by Panama to the south-southeast, the Nicaragua to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east. Here are some interesting facts about Costa Rica. The total land area of Costa Rica is nineteen thousand five hundred and sixty square miles (19,560 sq mi). The total area of Costa Rica is nineteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty square miles (19,730 sq mi). The first inhabitants of Costa Rica were around four hundred thousand (400,000) Indians. Christopher Columbus explored Costa Rica in 1502. Costa Rica then saw the Spanish conquest in 1524 and slowly came under the Spanish administration, becoming a Spanish province. Though Costa Rica achieved its freedom from the Spanish in 1821, it was conquered by the Mexican Empire in 1823. Christianity is the major religion in Costa Rica, with some ninety two percent (92%) of all Costa Ricans being Christians. Costa Rica's terrain is a coastal plain, separated by mountains. The two mountains, Cordillera de Talamanca and Cordillera Central form the spine of the country. There are various rivers in the country. Costa Rica has a exclusive economic zone of around two hundred nautical miles and also a territorial sea of about twelve nautical miles. The rivers of Costa Rica are the Rio Reventazon, Rio Pacuare, Rio Parismina, Rio Sixaola, and Rio Colorado. Costa Rica has subtropical as well as tropical climates. The dry season of Costa Rica extends from December to April, while the rainy season is from May to November. December is the wettest month on the Caribbean coast. The areas on the highlands are cooler than the others. The highest elevation point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripo, a volcanic mountain with a total elevation of three thousand eight hundred and ten meters (3810 m). The lowest elevation level is at the Pacific Ocean at sea level. Costa Rica is a democratic republic. It is one of the first countries to have abolished its armies. The country has had almost fifty nine years of uninterrupted democracy, the longest time in all of Latin America. The President has the executive responsibilities of the country. The president is supported by the two vice presidents and a cabinet of ministers. The economy of Costa Rica depends mainly on pharmaceuticals, electronics and software development. Eco tourism is the most important of the industries in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has also concentrated on hi-tech growth. It has put into place the seven year expansion plan in the high tech industry. Tax exemptions are offered to companies and individuals who wish to invest in the country, already a financially sound decision due to the increasing levels of education in the native population. The unit of currency in Costa Rica is the colon (CRC). Costa Rica has a rich flora and fauna. It is home to a variety of animals and plants. Almost twenty five percent of Costa Rica consists of reserves and protected forests. The Corcovado National Park is one such park in Costa Rica that is internationally known for its biodiversity. The National Park is known for its abundance of wild life, with tapirs and big cats amongst some of the species residing in the Park. Another park of ecological interest is the Tortuguero National Park, which is home to the howler, spider, white-throated Capuchin monkeys and the three toed sloth. The parks have around three hundred and twenty species of birds. The Tortuego is also home to many turtles, with the Giant leatherback, the loggerhead turtle and the hawksbill residing at the park. Contributed by: Roy D'Silva. First published by Buzzle.com.
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An Introduction
Background
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. 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.
Communications
Internet country code
.cr
Internet hosts
13,792 (2007)
Internet users
1.214 million (2006)
Radio broadcast stations
AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
Telephone system
general assessment: the parastatal monopoly provides good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 2 submarine cables (2006)
Telephones - main lines in use
1.351 million (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular
1.444 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations
20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
Economy
Agriculture - products
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Budget
revenues: $3.129 billion expenditures: $3.282 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)
Currency (code)
Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Current account balance
-$1.077 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external
$6.332 billion (2006 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
46.5 (2000)
Economy - overview
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has remained at roughly 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans estimated to be in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of (mostly unskilled) labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal debt. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising import prices, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. The current administration has made it a priority to pass the necessary reforms to implement the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA implementation would result in an improved investment climate.
Electricity - consumption
7.574 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports
440 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports
202 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production
8.4 billion kWh (2004)
Exchange rates
Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002)
Exports
$8.238 billion (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners
US 27.1%, Netherlands 12.1%, China 11.6%, Bermuda 6.4%, UK 6.1% (2006)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate):
$21.39 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$50.89 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 8.7% industry: 28.9% services: 62.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$12,500 (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
7.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.1% highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
Imports
$10.84 billion (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities
raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners
US 40.8%, Venezuela 5.4%, Mexico 5.3%, Ireland 4.9%, Japan 4.9%, Brazil 4.6%, China 4% (2006)
Industrial production growth rate
8.4% (2006 est.)
Industries
microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
11.5% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
19.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
Labor force
1.874 million note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 20% industry: 22% services: 58% (1999 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption
44,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports
NA bbl/day
Oil - imports
NA bbl/day
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl
Population below poverty line
18% (2004 est.)
Public Debt
51.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$3.115 billion (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate
6.6% (2006 est.)
Geography
Area
total: 51,100 sq km land: 50,660 sq km water: 440 sq km note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Capital City
San José
Climate
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline
1,290 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues
deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geographic coordinates
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Irrigated land
1,080 sq km (2003)
Land boundaries
total: 639 km border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use
arable land: 4.4% permanent crops: 5.87% other: 89.73% (2005)
Location
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Natural hazards
occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources
hydropower
Official Name
Republic of Costa Rica
Terrain
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Government
Administrative divisions
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Capital
name: San Jose geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
7 November 1949
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form: Costa Rica local long form: Republica de Costa Rica local short form: Costa Rica
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark LANGDALE embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: APO AA 34020 telephone: [506] 519-2000 FAX: [506] 519-2305
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Hammond (temporary location in Louisiana), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC consulate(s): San Francisco
Executive branch
chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant) cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010) election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3%
Flag description
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
Government type
democratic republic
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
International organization participation
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Legal system
based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, other 4
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Political parties and leaders
Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Vladimir DE LA CRUZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Humberto ARCE Salas]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FILMAN]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN]
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Military
Manpower available for military service
males age 18-49: 997,690 females age 18-49: 968,290 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 18-49: 829,874 females age 18-49: 809,343 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually
males age 18-49: 41,097 females age 18-49: 39,243
Military branches
no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2006)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP
0.4% (2006)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age (2004)
People
Age structure
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 587,395/female 560,408) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 1,388,114/female 1,357,157) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 111,758/female 129,052) (2007 est.)
Birth rate
18.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate
4.39 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Ethnic groups
white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.6% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
900 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
12,000 (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official), English
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.21 years male: 74.61 years female: 79.94 years (2007 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 95.9% female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
Median age
total: 26.8 years male: 26.3 years female: 27.2 years (2007 est.)
Nationality
noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican
Net migration rate
0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Population
4,133,884 (July 2007 est.)
Population growth rate
1.412% (2007 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.048 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.023 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.866 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.21 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
in September 2005, Costa Rica took its case before the ICJ to advocate the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels using the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty
Illicit drugs
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 9,470 (Colombia) (2006)
Transportation
Airports
151 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 36 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 11 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 115 914 to 1,523 m: 19 under 914 m: 96 (2007)
Merchant marine
total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,058 GRT/255 DWT by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2007)
Pipelines
refined products 242 km (2006)
Ports and terminals
Caldera, Puerto Limon
Railways
total: 278 km narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge note: none of the railway network is in use (2007)
Roadways
total: 35,330 km paved: 8,621 km unpaved: 26,709 km (2004)
Waterways
730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2007)
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