About Costa Rica.

General information.

Country capital: San José
Area: 51,000 square kilometers (19,652 sq. miles)
Language: Spanish.
Currency: Colon. (350x1US$).
Location: Located in the Central American isthmus, immediately north of Panama, with ports in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and 153 highway miles between them.
Climate: Costa Rica has two seasons: a "green" or "rainy" season that runs from May to November and a dry season that begins in December and ends in April. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 22 C, while in the coasts and at the beaches it ranges from 22 to 32 C.
Almost 30% of our territory is a National Park protected by law.

Population. 3,773,057 (July 2001 est.)
Density: 74.5 inhabitants per square kilometer (193.4 inhabitants per sq. mile)
Major metropolitan center: San Jose (1 Million)
By sex: men: 49,86% women: 50,14%
Total labor force: 1,383,000
Economically active population: 40.5%
Unemployment rate 2000: 5.2%.

Standard of living indicators.
Education. Thanks to its free, yet mandatory public education system established in 1917, Costaricans enjoy a high level of education and one of the highest literacy rates (95.5%).
Life expectancy: 76.1 years
Educational Institutions: 6147 primary and secondary schools and 50 universities
Education expenditures: 6.52% of GDP (2000). Minimum fixed by law at 6% of GDP
Youth literacy: 98.3%
Population served with piped water: 99%
Public health services coverage: 90.4% of population
Health expenditures: 27.8% of government budget
Access to telephone service: 92% of population
According to the United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) for 2001, Costa Rica has one of the highest ratings among developing nations.
Political environment.

Traditional and stable democracy, army abolished in 1949. Lowest risk rating in Latin America. The political structure establishes three independent powers:

1) Executive: President and Ministers
2) Legislative: 57 elected Representatives
3) Judiciary

The Presidential term consists of 4-year periods without reelection. The current President of Costa Rica is Dr. Abel Pacheco de la Espriella ( May 2002- May 2006).

Main exports. Electronic components, textiles, bananas, coffee, medical devices, pineapples, foliage and ornamentals, fish and seafood, processed foods.

Major revenue generator in 2000 (estimate): electric circuits and microstructures, with US$ 2085 millions
Second revenue generator: Tourism, with almost US$1.2 billion (estimate). Tourist arrivals in 2000 (estimate): 1.1 million.

 

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National Symbols.

Our Flag.

Costa Rica's flag was designed and constituted in the year 1848, under the presidency of Jose Maria Castro Madriz. Since that year, the flag has always been three-colored. The Fist Lady, Paci'fica Ferna'ndez Oreamuno, designed the flag of Costa Rica in 1848. The flag was designed after the ideals of the French Revolution - freedom, equality, and brotherhood - and the colors of the French National Flag. Each color represents important aspects of Costa Rica: Blue means the sky, opportunities at reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance to accomplish a goal, infinite, eternity, and ideals of the religious and spiritual desires. White means clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and beauty of the sky, the driving force of initiatives to search for new endeavors, and the peace of Costa Rica. Red means the warmth of Costa Rican people, their love to live, their blood shed for freedom, and their generous attitude.

Our national emblem.

Central America is imprinted in silver letters on the blue ribbon at the top of the coat of arms. The two branches of myrtle closing the coat of arms represent the peace of Costa Rica. On the white ribbon that joins the branches, the title "Republica de Costa Rica" (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters. The seven stars above the volcanoes represent the seven provinces of Costa Rica.
The volcanoes represent the three Costa Rica's mountain range systems. They form a valley and divide the country in two parts. The two oceans represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The merchant ships sailing on each ocean represent the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. The rising sun represents the prosperity of Costa Rica.

The small circles on both sides of the coat represent the coffee beans, "Golden Beans." Beside this explanation about our national flag and our coat of arms, if your are interested to know more about them, please visit this site: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/cr.html (We found this page posted with some interesting information).

Our national flower.

A beautiful kind of a purple orquidea popularly called "Guaria Morada", was declared as national symbol in 1939.

Our national tree.

A tree called "Guanacaste" as the Province where it is found, was declared National tree in 1959, as a tribute for the province's joining to Costa Rica in 1825.

Our national fowl.

El Yiguirro was declared national symbol in 1976. Its beautiful singing announces the coming of the rainy season.

Our national symbol of labor.

La Carreta or Oxcart was declared national symbol of labor in 1988. During the 19 century was used as a transportation tool for coffee plantations and trade.

Our national heroe.

Juan Santamaria, a young drummer boy who became a national hero by torching a fort where Walker's troop "called filibusters" was encamped in April 11,1856.

Our national heroine.

Francisca "Pancha" Carrasco 1826-1890. The first costarrican heroine who joined the army to fight against Walker s filibusters in April, 11, 1856. She was condecorated by the Government for her important participation in this action.

Our national Anthem. Click to listen