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