| About Costa Rica
Officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (1995 est. pop. 3,301,210), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. It is bounded on the north by Nicaragua, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the southeast by Panama, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. The capital and largest city is San José . In addition to the capital, other important cities are Alajuela , Heredia , Puntarenas , and Cartago .
People
One of the most stable countries in Latin America, Costa Rica has a long democratic  tradition, a literacy rate of over 90%, and no army. The population is largely of Spanish descent, and the official language is Spanish. About 95% of the people are Roman Catholics.
Resources
Costa Rica is an agricultural country, although industry is being developed at a moderate pace. Industries include food processing and the manufacture of textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, and electronics. Coffee, bananas, sugar, and beef are exported, as well as manufactured goods such as textiles. Petroleum, machinery, consumer durables, chemicals, and foodstuffs are imported. Tourism is the second biggest money-earner, after agriculture.
Government
The country is governed under the 1949 constitution. The president, a strong executive, serves a four-year term and may not be immediately reelected. The unicameral legislature is also elected for four years. There is universal adult suffrage, and voting is compulsory. The country is divided into seven provinces.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003.
Important Costa Rican Facts:
Costa Rica is a non military country, having dissolved its army in 1949. Though a democracy, it holds socialist qualities such as government funded healthcare and education. The country spends 32% of its year budget on social healthcare and we have a literacy rate of 96.5% and 18.5% of residents pursue higher education, making the country an attractive investing location. Provided that has a stable economy and government, one of the steadiest in Latin America, there are a number of significant governmental, international and private enterprises that have been established here for years. Recently electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development and ecotourism, have become the prime industries in Costa Rica's economy. For instance, companies such as IBM, HP, Intel have established their Latin American headquarters here. Medical services are excellent and costs are low, with the latest technology in hospitals, dental care and plastic surgery.
Costa Rica not only contains 6% of the world’s biodiversity, but it also covers both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, has one of the best climates and ocean water temperature year-round and holds one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. These factors make Costa Rica one of the hottest real estate markets out there; enough so that the biggest brands in luxury hotels and development have or are investing here. Today along the northern and central Pacific coastlines you can find: Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Jack Parker Corporation, Steve Case with Exclusive Resorts, Miraval Resort and the One and Only, JW Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental and many more. |