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Costa Rica

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Many Costa Ricans take advantage of these days for a mid-summer vacation to the beach or mountains. Regular business activity slows down during the week; Thursday and Good Friday find public services and transportation at a virtual standstill.

LocationLocation

This is were Costa Rica is located at in the southern hemisphere.

The countries flagThe countries flag

This is the countries map, which means Coat or Arms

GeographyGeography

Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, 10° North of the equator and 84° West of the Prime Meridian. It borders both the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometers (802 mi) of coastline (212 km / 132 mi on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km / 631 mi on the Pacific). It is about the size of West Virginia and shares that state's reputation for excellent whitewater kayaking/rafting opportunities.

Geography (cont.)Geography (cont.)

Two of the country's most renowned rivers in that regard are the Rio Pacuare and the Rio Reventazon located near the city of Turrialba about two hours east of San Jose. Other notable whitewater areas are the Sarapiqui Valley area, several Pacific coast rivers near Quepos, and the southern Pacific drainage area around San Isidro de General.

10 facts10 facts

Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a strong constitution.

Although there are claims that the country has had more than 115 years of uninterrupted democracy,

Costa Rica is composed of seven provinces, which in turn are divided into 81 cantons ("cantón" in Spanish, plural "cantones"), each directed by a mayor. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by each canton's people. There are no provincial legislatures.

10 facts (cont)10 facts (cont) According to the CIA World Factbook, Costa Rica's GDP per capita is

US$13,500; however, this developing country still faces the fourth highest inflation rate in Latin America, lack of maintenance and new investment in infrastructure, over 740,000 (18%) people below the poverty line and just over

227,000 (5.5%) unemployed. The central government offers tax exemptions for those who are

willing to invest in the country. Several global high tech corporations have already started developing in the area exporting goods including chip manufacturer Intel, pharmaceutical company Glaxo SmithKline, and consumer products company Procter & Gamble Trade with South East Asia and Russia has boomed during 2004 and 2005, and the country is expected to obtain full Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) membership by 2007 (the country became an observer in 2004).

10 facts (cont)10 facts (cont)

With a $1.9-billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited nation in the Central American region, with 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007.

The literacy rate in Costa Rica is of 96% (CIA World Factbook, February 2007), one of the highest in Latin America.

The week before Easter Sunday is also a time for vacations throughout the country. Many businesses close the entire week and everybody shuts down Thursday and Good Friday.

Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations University of Peace are based in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican State is also a member of many other international organizations related to human rights and democracy.

Facts (Cont)Facts (Cont)

Costa Rica's main foreign policy objective is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth.