ABOUT COSTA RICA
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a small country of 51.000 square Km, slightly bigger than El Salvador and Belize. It´s many and various attractions make of it a great destination for any visitor.
The location of the country in the inter-tropical zone, and it´s geographical coordinates, provide it with a unique diversity of flora and fauna. It´s priviliged location in the isthmus enabled Costa Rica to become a biological bridge for the gathering of fauna and forest species and also a cultural link for the cultures from the south and north areas of the continent.
THE COSTA RICANS
TICOS, the nickname Costa Ricans are known for, are proud to be famous for being hospitable. They are educated and hard working. They love to smile and shake your hand. Ticos know their land is special and usually are happy to walk the extra mile to help a lost visitor or try to explain something that may look rather weird to the visitor. The purpose, however, is to make the visitor feel at home. It is said that the Ticos are the most important asset of this nation. Once you have experienced their friendship and spontaneity you will have no doubts about it.
LOCATION
Our country occupies a very special location in the world, as it is situated in the middle of the central american isthmus. To the east and northeast, Costa Rica borders with the caribbean sea; to the west and south with the Ocean Pacific, with Panama to the southeast and Nicaragua to the North.
SURFACE
Within it´s small surface of 51.000 square kilometers, the visitor will find a large number of rivers, plains, mountains, valleys, flora, fauna, volcanoes, beaches, protected areas, biological preserves and many other attractions. Also. it is possible to find quite a diversity of climatic zones.
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
Costa Rica has a population of approximately 4.000.000 inhabitants and the native language is spanish. However, visitors will easily communicate using other languages that are usually spoken here, such as english, french, german and italian. The country is divided in seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon. San Jose is the capital city and the most populated province.
RELIGION
Although catholicism is the official religion in Costa Rica, freedom of religion to all is guaranteed.
CLIMATE
Located between two oceans, Costa Rica is a tropical country with a complex geography, several climatic conditions and different types of forests that range from the dry tropical forest all the way to the paramo. The country does not have well defined seasons and the climate is stable in every region all year round. However there are light climatic changes according to the time of the year, Summer time is the dry season and Winter is the rainy season. Summer time goes usually from December to April and the winter goes from May to November.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION
Highlands are located in the middle of the country, meanwhile lowlands, more extensive and flat, are found in the caribbean slope and to the north. The Pacific slope has rougher inclines and thus creates a large number of bays, capes, cliffs and coves.
Caribbean Coastal Line: With a lenght of 212 kilometers , the caribbean coastal line stretches from the northeast to the southeast. It is divides into two sections: San Juan river-Limon (from the border with Nicaragua to Limon city) and Limon-Sixaola river (from Limon city to the border with Panama). The first section is a long coastal line that separates the sea from several fresh water lagoons where multiple rivers flow into. In this area, the visitor can find the Tortuguero Canals, which is a natural system of canals and navigable lagoons of more than 110 kilometers. These canals are home to seven turtle species. Limon is located ate the center of the western coastal line. It is one of the main harbors of the country and the birthplace of the afro-caribbean culture. Uvita is the only islet of this coastal line and it is located facing this city. this islet was known as Cariari back in the times when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in his fourth and last trip. to the southeast, in the second section of the coastal line, we can find a wide beach, house of the coral reef know as Cahuita.
Pacific Coastal Line: The Pacific coastal line has an extension over 1.200 kilometers and stretches border to border from Bahia Salina to Punta Burica. It´s possible to admire here quite a variety of landscapes, islands, gulfs, points, mangrove swamps, coves and penindulas. These regions offer a large number of ideal beaches for the visitor to enjoy. The main peninsulas of the pacific coastl line are Santa Elena, Nicoya and Osa. Bahia Salinas is located to the north of the coastal line. The gulf of Nicoya offers quite diverse attractions for the tourists. Two Ferrys, Salinero and Tempisque, navigate through the waters of the gulf, that after a relatively short ride will take the visitors to the beaches located in the southern end of the nicoya peninsula.
GOVERNMENT
As a democratic republic, the Costa Rican political system is based on 3 branches:
1. Executive Power: Conformed by the President of the Republic, elected by direct voting every 4 years and with no possibility to be re-elected. Two Vice-Presidents. A preseidential cabinet consisting of 18 state ministers each one with a clear mandate in economic, social, productive and cultural agendas.
2. Legislative Power: Consisting of 57 representatives (popular delegates, responsible to promulgate the laws)
3. Judiciary Power: Consisting of a supreme court, formed by 4 courts. There are also superior tribunals and courts that deal especific areas.
