 |
1. Area: 51,100
km (31,682
square miles)*
2. Population: 4,000,000*
3. Capital: San
José*
4. Language: Spanish*
5. Date of OAS membership: 1889
6. Description of Costa
Rica:*
The Tico spirit of cooperation also developed early. Between
300,000 and 500,000 people were living in Costa Rica when Columbus
landed on the Atlantic Coast in 1502. Contrary to popular myth, the
coastal tribes put up a quite a battle. Between their resistance, the
impenetrable jungle and the apparent lack of treasure for plunder, the
Spaniards didn’t give Costa Rica high priority. Eventually,
colonizers came through what is now Guanacaste to the Central Valley.
The only way for colonists to survive in this tiny, poor cousin colony
was to live off the land. They built native-style homes, made
native-style clothes and learned the meaning of cooperation and
tolerance. Yet, they were strongly individualistic. This was the
origin of Costa Rica’s firmly entrenched concept of solidarity.
The fact that
Costa Rica is a non-aggressive country with no military also has its
roots in history. Costa Rica learned of its independence only after
the fact, when on October 17, 1821, a rider from Nicaragua brought the
news. The country subsequently joined the new Central America
Federation. Perhaps because the first governor was a teacher, not a
soldier, Costa Rica didn’t suffer the civil wars that plagued other
countries in the federation countries of the era. Costa Ricans were
too busy building schools and making paper by hand.
Costa Rica is
one of the oldest democracies in the Americas, its first election held
in 1889. The few times tyranny tried to gain the upper hand it quickly
failed. In 1949, the modern constitution abolished the army and
directed the country’s resources to education, social programs, and
economic development. Two generations have grown up without knowing
war. This political stability has attracted many international
organizations to Costa Rica, such as the Inter American Court of Human
Rights, the International Development Bank and the Earth Council.*
7.
History
8.
Government
9.
Economy
10.
Photographs
*Source: Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to
the OAS.
*Source:
“Costa Rica: No Artificial Ingredients”. Provided by the Costa Rica
Tourist
Board.
Back
Updated: 3
June 2008 |
