Costa Rica Facts

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Quick Facts from the CIA World Factbook

Republica de Costa Rica

Capital: San José

Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC)

Exchange Rates: Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001), 308.19 (2000)

Population: 4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)

Nationality: Costa Rican

Ethnic Groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Languages: Spanish (official), English

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.

Geography

Total Area: 639 kilometers (397 miles).

Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Border countries: Nicaragua 309 kilometers (192 miles), Panama 330 kilometers (205 miles).

Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Highest Point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 meters (12,500 feet).

Environmental Current Issues: deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution

Environmental International Agreements:  Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

Geography Interesting Fact: 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

Independence: September 15, 1821 (from Spain)

Chief of State: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since 8 May 2002);

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 deficit and massive 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 recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.

GDP Per Capita: $9,600 (2004 est.)

Population below the poverty line: 18% (2004 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 6.6% (2004 est.)

Agriculture Products: coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber

Export Commodities: coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment

International Disputes: legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unresolved

Illicit Drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising.