Capital of Costa RicaSan José
Currency Colon, exchange rate:
1 US$ = 506.00 Costa Rican Colons, C (1 January 2012).
Administrative divisions7 provinces; Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose.
Population4.1 millions growth rate 1.4% (2007 est.). Ethnic groups: White (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%.
LanguagesSpanish (official), English.
ReligionsRoman Catholic 76%, Evangelical 14%, other 7%, none 3%.
ClimateTropical and subtropical, dry season from December to April, rainy season from May to November, cooler in highlands.
Geography51,100 sq. km. Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains, including over 100 volcanic cones. High proportion of reserved and protected land.
National AnthemListen to the National Anthem of Costa Rica
Public holidays
January 1 - New Years Day.
March/April - Holy Saturday and Good Friday.
April 11 - Juan Santamaria.
May 1 - Labor Day.
July 25 - The annexation of Guanacaste.
August 2 - Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles.
August 15 - Mother's Day.
September 15 - Independence Day (1821 from Spain).
October 12 - Columbus Day.
December 25 - Christmas Day.
Newspapers
La Nación |
La Prensa Libre |
La Republica |
Semanario Universidad |
Telenoticias |
The Tico Times Online
Natural resourcesHydropower.
IndustriesMicroprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products.
Agriculture productsBananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, beef, timber.
GDPUS$ 50.9 billion, growth rate 7.9%, per capita US$ 12,500 (2006 est.).
ExportsUS$ 8.2 billion (f.o.b. 2006 est.). Bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, textiles, electronic components, medical equipment. |
