Name:
Republic of
Costa RicaLocation:
Central
America, south of Nicaragua and North of Panama
Capital:
San Jose
Area:
50,660 km sq
(about the size of the U.S. state of West Virginia)
Population: 4.5 million
(2006 estimation)
Infant mortality rate:
11.6 per 1,000 live births
Life expectancy: 77.49
years male, 79.52 years female
Total fertility rate: 3.11
children per woman (1993 estimate)
Ethnic divisions: white
(including mestizo) 96 percent, Black 2 percent, Indian 1
percent, Chinese 1 percent
Religions:
Roman Catholic (official state religion) 95 percent.
Protestant faiths are practiced, and there is a small Jewish
community.
Language: Spanish
(official), English spoken around Puerto Limon, in the
tourism industry, and by many professionals in the Central
Valley
Administrative division
: provinces Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon,
Puntarenas, San Jose
Legal system: based on
Spanish civil law system, judicial review of legislative
acts in the Supreme Court
Direct election :
democratic republic with two similar centrist dominant
parties National Liberation Party (PLN) and Christian Unity
Party (PUSC). Elections held every four years.
Education: Free and
compulsory through the end of the 9th year.
Principal industries:Tourism,
coffee, bananas.
In the following pages
you will find information about: What to bring? Traveling Tips, Weather,
Books, Shopping, Costa Rica Cuisine, History, Holidays,
National Parks and useful
links..
Location
Religions:
Roman Catholic (official state religion) 95 percent.
Protestant faiths are practiced, and there is a small Jewish
community.
