About
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th
century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural
country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively
high. Land ownership is widespread.
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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: San Jose
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none
3.2%
Government: democratic republic
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry
season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Geography: four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the
volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Ethnic groups: white (including
mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Economy: Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on
tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong
social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high
education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the
agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal
debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market
rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa
Rica is the only signatory to the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that has not ratified it. CAFTA
implementation would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,000 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 3.2% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (2005 est.)
Internet country code: .cr
Dial code: +506
Cities
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Find a flight to any city in Costa Rica
Local currency is the Costa Rican Colon
Airlines based in Costa Rica
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