BOUNDARIES
North: Nicaragua - South: Panamá - West: Pacific Ocean - East: Atlantic
Ocean
AREA
Maximum length |
228 miles |
From Río Sapoa to Punta Burica |
Minimum length |
74 miles |
From Tuba to Boca Coronado |
Maximum width |
161 miles |
From Cabo Sta. Elena to Boca
del Río Colorado |
Land area |
19,730 Square miles |
|
Administrative divisions |
Provinces |
7 |
|
Cantons |
81 |
|
Districts |
449 |
The official currency is the colon and is easier to use than dollars. US dollars are accepted throughout the country.
Home to most of Costa Rica's population, the Central Valley covers 1,160 square miles. It has fertile soils and a pleasant climate. Costa Rica is often cited as a model for conservation in harmony with community development and economic growth. National Parks and reserves are open to the public at government-established fees. Private reserves set their own rates.
Some of the main mountain ranges are volcanic. In the province of Cartago, not far from the capital of San José, is Irazú Volcano, which erupted in the early sixties. Poás Volcano in the province of Alajuela has one of the largest active craters in the world.
Beautiful forests grow in the crater of the dormant Barva in Heredia. Arenal, a young volcano in the northern part of the country, is constantly active. The country's highest peak, Mount Chirripó, is not volcanic; it measures 12,412 feet.
Regarding the country's coastal regions, the coast makes up almost sixty-five percent of Costa Rica's borders. Costa Rica has some of the world's most beautiful and idyllic beaches. The coast is not heavily populated, but several tourism projects have been developed.
Within Costa Rica, the longest distance you will ever have to travel to get to the beach is 75 miles. So, in a way, the country is a large tropical island.
MAJOR VOLCANOES
| Volcanoes |
Meters |
Feet |
Irazú |
3342 |
11260 |
Turrialba |
3339 |
10955 |
Barva |
2906 |
9534 |
Poás |
2709 |
8888 |
Arenal |
1633 |
5358 |
Highest Point |
|
|
Cerro Chirripó Grande |
3820 |
12529 |
AREA OF EACH PROVINCE
| Province |
Km2 |
% |
Total |
51100 |
100% |
San José* |
4959 |
10% |
Alajuela |
9753 |
19% |
Cartago |
3125 |
6% |
Heredia |
2657 |
5% |
Guanacaste |
10141 |
20% |
Puntarenas |
11277 |
22% |
Limón |
9188 |
18% |
*The Province of San José, The Canton Central,
and the Capital City share the same name. |
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CLIMATE
The climate is idyllic. In the low lands -which are dry in the Pacific northwest and humid elsewhere -daytime temperatures range in the eighties and nineties F° (high twenties and mid thirties C°). Usually in the seventies F° (low to mid- twenties) at middle elevations, the mercury can fall as low as the forties and fifties F° (five to mid-teens C°) at the top of the mountains. Costa Rica can be broadly categorized into three major climatic zones:
The wet lowlands: The Caribbean and the Southern Pacific lowlands have a short dry season and high temperatures. Rainfall is usually lighter along the coast, increasing proportionally as it moves further inland and altitude increases.
Lowlands with a dry season: Most of the Guanacaste province and some of Puntarenas have high temperatures and a long dry season. Temperate climate. Areas located between 3,000 to 5,000 feet above the sea level, such as the Central Valley, have a defined dry season and the most comfortable of the climates.
Mountain climate: Any area at an altitude higher than 5,000 feet has cooler temperatures. At altitudes over 10,000 feet, even reaches the freezing point. The weather is usually humid, with occasional fog or frost.
Seasons:
Rainy Season: May - November
Dry Season: December - April
RAINFALL OF THE MAJOR AREAS
| Area |
mm |
inches |
Central Valley |
1100-2500 mm |
43-98 inches |
North Pacific |
1400-4300 mm |
55-98 inches |
Central Pacific |
2300-4300 mm |
91-169 inches |
South Pacific |
2300-4000 mm |
91-157 inches |
Atlantic Region |
2000-4500 mm |
79-177 inches |
The northwest has a fairly well defined dry season (verano or summer) December to April. The dry season is a month or two shorter along the southern Pacific coast. July also tends to be a dry month on the Pacific slope. Welcome rains during the rest of the year bring about a general greening and freshen the countryside. Rains usually come in the afternoon thunderstorms, leaving the mornings sunny and the night sky filled with stars. This period is called "invierno" (winter or rainy season) or "temporada verde" (green season). Rainfall on the Caribbean slope is more evenly distributed throughout the year, with marked dry periods from May through June and again from September through October.
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GOVERNMENT
Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. Its first election was held in 1889. Actually we are governed according to the Constitution of November 7th, 1949. An improvement of previous constitutions, this version made one change that has had especially far reaching effects; it eliminated the country's armed forces.
The Constitution gives the president executive power. The President of the Republic is elected by free elections to a four-year term and is now eligible for reelection, after a referendum amended their prohibition to re-elect 6 years ago. Two vice-presidents are elected through this same process. The president has the authority to choose a cabinet of ministers.
Congress, the legislative branch, is an unicameral parliament. Fifty-seven congressmen are elected to four-year terms, chosen from political party candidates.
The General Court is the highest judicial body. It is composed of twenty-two magistrates, elected by Congress to a minimum of eight years. The General Court administers judicial power and is responsible for naming judges and tribunals.
Members of the General Court form the different chambers of the Supreme Court. Of the chambers, the Constitutional Chamber is the most powerful; it rules on any matters relating to the constitutionality of laws, and, in general, is charged with the protection of citizens from any possible improprieties or waste in the part of the government. Better known as "La Sala IV", this chamber was created within the Supreme Court a few years ago, and has been generally well received by citizens. On several occasions, "La Sala IV" has overturned major, long-standing laws, challenged by ordinary citizens on constitutional grounds.
Another important tribunal is the Supreme Tribunal of Elections, which is in charge of guaranteeing fair elections, in accordance with electoral law.
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RELIGION
The Constitution guarantees religious freedom. Nonetheless, almost 75 percent of the population are Roman Catholic, the Country's official religion. These numbers have dropped in the last years, as percentage of Catholics was in the 90% some years ago. Recently, more Costa Ricans are professing other religions.
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EDUCATION
Through constant attention to education, Costa Rica has achieved the highest literacy rate in Central America. Its literacy rate rivals that of many larger and more industrialized nations. Since the 1970’s Costa Rica has consistently invested twenty-eight percent of the national budget in education - something that would have not been possible while maintaining armed forces.
The educational system is divided into three major sections. Elementary schooling is free and obligatory. Seventy percent of high schools are public; while accredited private institutions provide the other thirty percent. University education began last century, but it was not until 1940 that the University of Costa Rica, the country's largest public university, was founded. Thirty years later, several more public universities had been created, including a correspondence school
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BANKS
In 1948, the founders of the Second Republic, the present form of government, nationalized the banking system. Over the years, the system has allowed for some privatization, but with special restrictions not applying to government banks. The Costa Rican Central Bank is the only bank authorized to issue currency. The Central Bank also regulates international exchange rates and other aspects of banking in Costa Rica. Banks are open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS
| Date |
Holiday |
January 01st |
New Year's Day |
March/April |
Easter Week |
April 11th |
Juan Santamaría Day |
May 01st |
Labor Day |
July 25th |
Annexation of Guanacaste |
August 02nd |
Virgen de los Angeles Day |
August 15th |
Mother's Day |
September 15th |
Independence Day |
December 25th |
Christmas Day |
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HEALTH SERVICES
According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica has one of the best health care systems in the world. The country's infant mortality rate is dropping while life expectancy increases. There are several hospitals in the country operated by the National Social Security System. The System, established to provide universal medical services, is close to reaching its goal. This same institution also provides worker's disability, maternity and senior citizens benefits.
Excerpts from Friends in Costa Rica N. 3
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HONEYMOON &
While Costa Rica covers a mere 0.03% of the planet's surface, the nation is endowed with over 6% of all the life forms of the earth…This gives you an idea of the magnificent country that you are about to meet.