| Highlights |
Costa Rica is the leader in ecotourism in Central America and has set aside approximately 26% of its total area to protected areas and national parks. Active volcanoes, cloudforests and rainforests teeming with a stunning diversity of flora and fauna are the main attractions in Costa Rica - in fact 5% of all life forms on earth can be found in this tiny country, including over 850 bird species. The Braulio Carrillo National Park lies just 14 miles north of San Jose with many trails through the park; jaguars and ocelots can be found here and many orchids and ferns. The Tortuguero National Park protects the Atlantic green turtle egg-laying grounds. It also has a network of canals and lagoons for transportation and exploration. Manuel Antonio National Park is situated on the Pacific coast and includes twelve islands which serve as natural seabird sanctuaries due to the lack of vegetation. Many birds also use the islands for nesting. The Nicoya Peninsular has become popular for ocean sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, surfing and sport fishing. The most popular adventure sport is white-water rafting in the Pacuare and Pascuarivers.
Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet, with a variety of fascinating microclimates to explore. Accordingly it is extraordinarily environmentally conscious, dedicated to protecting its toucans, howler monkeys and thousands of examples of exotic flora and fauna. A seductively laid back local lifestyle is coupled with the opportunity for countless adventure sports, while beach-lovers can relax on white sands, sipping fresh young coconut milk and sampling sweet, freshly picked oranges.
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| History |
Along with the other Central American countries, Costa Rica is the country it is as a result of the Spanish invasion. Costa Rica wasn't an easy country to conquer, largely due to the varied terrain and the lack of return for the effort. While other countries in the region were turning up gold and silver galore, little seemed to be gained from Costa Rica. However, the settlers worked hard to farm the land and made it into a rural democracy, which no doubt had some effect on the way things are run today - Costa Rica is noted for being the most fair and democratically developed country in the region, with a conscientious regard for its ecology.
Costa Rica never had the kind of strong native civilisation of, say, Mexico, before the Spanish invasion, and the diseases brought into the country by Europe wiped out most of the indigenous peoples. Those who were left were largely absorbed into the Spanish population, although there are still a few very small tribes to be found. The area that is now Costa Rica was declared independent from Spain in 1821, but became part of Mexico, and only became an independent country in its own right in 1838.
Throughout the 20th century, Costa Rica enjoyed peace and a steady growth in prosperity, with the notable exception of a civil war in 1948, which followed a disputed presidential election. Significantly, however, Costa Rica is the only country in the region to have abolished the national army.
Generally, Costa Rica has been a peaceful and liberal country for well over a hundred years and despite a national emergency in 1991, when an earthquake hit the country causing widespread loss of life and damage, its tourism market has shot through the roof over the last couple of decades. In the 2010 Environmental Performance Index, it is ranked third in the world and first in the Americas. In keeping with their eco-friendly image, the government has announced plans to become the first carbon-neutral country by 2021.
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| Geography |
Costa Rica lies between Nicaragua and Panama, and is a complete coast-to-coast segment of the Central American isthmus. A low thin line of hills that rises between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua broadens and rises as it enters northern Costa Rica, eventually forming the high, rugged mountains of volcanic origin in the centre and south. The highest peak is Chirripo Grande which reaches 3820m. The Meseta plateau where more than half the population live, is rimmed to the Southwest by the Cordillera range providing the setting for the country's capital, San Jose.
In the Central Valley, where the main centres of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F). In the coastal areas, the temperature is much hotter. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November. The 'warm' dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.
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