Get your Costa Rica Facts right!
Travelers who dismiss Costa Rica as a fine vacation destination because of its location in the middle of Central America are indeed missing out on a gem. Amidst a land full of so much political strife, Costa Rica rewards the traveler with friendly people, great weather, and some of the most beautiful sites on the continent.
Basic Costa Rica Facts
Picturesque Costa Rica is located between Panama and Nicaragua and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided by mountains and volcanoes, part of the Sierra Madre range.
The total area of the country is 51,100 square kilometers (19,000 square miles) and boasts over 1,290 kilometers (800 miles) of coastline featuring breathtaking landscapes and beaches. The lowest point of Costa Rica is at the Pacific Ocean and the highest is at beautiful Mount Chirippo, reaching some 3,810 meters (12,500 feet) into the sky.
Climate
Costa Rica is a tropical country but contains several different climatic zones. The average temperature is determined by elevation, but records note that the average temperature ranges from 21.7 degrees C (71 degrees Fahrenheit) to 27 degrees C (81 degrees F) throughout most of the year. What could be more pleasant!
Costa Rica does receive quite a lot of rain during its rainy season, usually from May through December. The average annual rainfall is about 254 centimeters (100 inches), with the exposed eastern slopes of the mountainous areas sometimes receiving a whopping 762 centimeters (25 feet) of rain each year.
That’s why many guests enjoy visiting Costa Rica during the dry months of December through April, when they can enjoy all the adventures that the country has to offer without worrying about the weather.
The People of Costa Rica
The latest Costa Rica facts compiled by the census bureau note that there are approximately three-and-a-half million residents living in the country, with about two-thirds of them residing in or around the capital city of San Jose. Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica and nearly eighty percent of the population is Roman Catholic.
A Bit of Costa Rican History
Evidence shows that Costa Rica has been inhabited for at least 10,000 years though few artifacts remain from that era. More is known about the country after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1502, who gladly accepted gold from the local Indians and went home to tell those in Spain about the bountiful riches found here.
After a few centuries of colonization by the Spanish, Central America gained its independence in 1821 and Costa Rica joined a new confederation of Central American states. Through the 1800s, public education was expanded and the coffee industry grew immensely.
While the early 20th century brought much strife, many enlightened and progressive policies were instituted during this time. In fact, Costa Rica is proud to note that they are one of the oldest and most peaceful democracies in Central America, having abolished their armed forces in 1949 and declaring Perpetual Neutrality in 1983.
Costa Rica facts compiled by a number of sources indicate that the country has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and many international companies have begun to set up corporations here in order to employ this exemplary workforce.
Costa Rica Today
In the twenty-first century, visitors can safely travel to Costa Rica for a great vacation adventure without fear of political unrest or other internal strife.
Costa Rica facts, compiled by the government, note that each year, thousands of foreign visitors come to Costa Rica to enjoy the beaches, mountains, rain forests, and amazing flora and fauna that beckon travelers to come and explore this enticing Central American paradise.
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Costa Rica Facts
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