| The Republic of Costa Rica is located in | | | | is invested with the President and executive |
| Central America and is an amazingly beautiful | | | | branch. The President and congressional |
| country. Following is an overview of the past | | | | members are elected to 4-year terms. |
| and present of Costa Rica for travelers. | | | | |
| | | | Costa Rica covers an area of 19,730 square |
| Overview of Costa Rica for Travelers | | | | miles. The capital is San Jose, which has a |
| | | | population of 2.1 million people. The terrain |
| Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica | | | | is rugged and tropical with dormant |
| and the indigenous people living there in | | | | volcanoes, a rain forest in the south and |
| 1502. The Spanish subsequently colonized it. | | | | immaculate beaches. Rainfall is heavy during |
| The name of the country, Rich Coast, comes | | | | summer months, but temperatures are |
| from their mistaken belief that gold was | | | | consistently in the 70 to 90 degree range. |
| prevalent. It wasn't, but the name stuck. In | | | | |
| 1821, Costa Rica joined other Central | | | | The people of Costa Rica are known both as |
| American countries in declaring independence | | | | "Ticos" and "Costa Ricans." The total |
| from Spain. True independence didn't occur | | | | population is 4 million, but growing at 1.5 |
| till 1838 when Costa Rica broke away from a | | | | percent. Roman Catholic is the dominant |
| federation of Central American countries. | | | | religion, although 15 percent of the |
| | | | population claims Protestant as their faith. |
| In a major departure from many Central | | | | Literacy is at 96 percent. Average life |
| America countries, Costa Rica has largely | | | | expectancy for a woman is 79 years while men |
| been a free and peaceful democracy since | | | | average 74 years. Spanish is the dominant |
| 1899. It has a system of checks and balances | | | | language. |
| similar to the United States, but more power | | | | |