Costa Rica

Costa Rica

San José

largest citiesSan José 333,007

Puerto Limón 63,000San Francisco 55,923

Alajuela 47,494Liberia 45,380

Biggest Cities

Indigenous groupsCaribs

BorucasChibchas

Diquis

The first European explorer to arrive in Costa Rica was

Christopher Columbus in 1502

IndependenceSeptiembre 15, 1821

San Jose

Basilica of our "Virgen de los Angeles

Located in the city of Cartago(1639)

National Museum

an old army headquarters houses Costa Rican archaeology, jade & gold pieces, colonial & religious art, etc.

Poas Volcano

The Poas volcano is one of the world's largest geysers with an awesome crater, over 1.5km wide. The volcano is active but completely safe for viewing

The Costa Rican civil war erupted in 1948, after incumbent Dr. Rafael

Angel Calderon and the United Social Christian Party refused to relinquish power after losing the

presidential election.

In 1987, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez garnered

world recognition when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in ending the Nicaraguan

civil war.

Interesting Facts-Costa Rica’s poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries-Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born. Three quarters of these are Nicaraguans-3% of Costa Ricans live abroad mostly in the USA working in highly skilled fields-Currency: el colon or colones ₡

Demographics-Population 4,695,942

-White(including mestizo) 94%Ticos those from Spanish descend

Black 3%Amerindian 1%

ReligionCatholic 76.3%

Evengalical 13.7%Jehovah’s witnesses 1.3%

Protestan 0.7%

Weather

The average annual temperature is around 70 to 81 degrees

Food

Arreglados

Gallo Pinto

Tamal