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Facts and Figures on Costa Rica from World Atlas, Population Reference Bureau and
Name Costa Rica
(long form) Republic of Costa Rica
Population 4,509,200 (09)
Population & Density (all countries) here
Capital City San Jose (300,000)
Currency Costa Rican Colon (CRC)
Currency Converter here
Languages Spanish (official), English
National Day September 15
Religions Catholic (76.3%), Evangelical (13.7%), none (3.2%), others
Geographic Coordinates Latitude/Longitude (Capital City) 9º 56' N, 84º 05' W
Relative Location Costa Rica is positioned in both the northern and western hemispheres. Located in North America on the Central America isthmus - a somewhat narrow strip of land that connects North and South America - the country is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Land Statistics
Coastline 802 miles (1,290 km)
Land Areas
Land 19,560 sq miles (50,660 sq km)
Water 170 sq miles (440 sq km)
TOTAL 19,730 sq miles (51,100 sq km)
Land Area (all countries) here
Costa Rica Climate
Because Costa Rica is located only about eight degrees north of the equator, the climate is tropical year round. However, this varies depending on elevation and rainfall. Therefore, it is greatly affected by the geography of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much it rains during a particular period. The year can be easily split into two periods, known to the residents as Verano, summer and Invierno, winter. The verano season is from December to May, and is the time of year when it is not as wet. Invierno is the period from May to November, and during this time, in many locations, it rains constantly.
The location that receives the most rain is the Caribbean (northeast) slopes of the Central Cordillera Mountains, with an annual rainfall of over 5,000 mm. Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. The mean annual temperature on the coastal lowlands is around 80°F (27°C), 69°F (21°C) in the main populated areas of the Central Cordilera, and below 50°F (10°C) on the summits of the highest mountains.
LandformsMost of Costa Rica is dominated by the Sierra Madre mountains, literally fractured into individual ranges and valleys by violent volcanic eruptions over eons of time.
And speaking of volcanoes, the country's most active one (cone-shaped Arenal), located in the Tilaran Mountains erupts in some measure almost everyday. To the southeast, the Poas, Barva, Irazu and many other volcanoes form the Central Mountain's most spectacular landforms, while the higher Talamanca Mountains front its southern border with Panama.
The heavily-forested northern plains (to the south of Lake Nicaragua) stretch eastward along the San Juan River, then push southward through the rain forest edges of the Central Mountains, and on to the sandy beaches of the Caribbean coastline.
Costa Rica's
Many dozens of rivers drain the land; the Chirripa, Frio, General, San Juan and Tempisque are indicated on the map above.
Highest Pt. Cerro Chirripo - 12,500 ft. (3,810 m) is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano at 11,260 ft (3,431 m).
Lowest Pt. Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)
Land Divisions 7 provinces; including 1.Alajuela, 2.Cartago, 3.Guanacaste, 4.Heredia, 5.Limón, 6Puntarenas and 7.San José which in turn are divided into 81 cantons ("cantón" in Spanish, plural "cantones"), each of which is directed by a mayor.
Government Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a strong constitution with at least 59 years of uninterrupted democracy, making it one of the most stable countries in Central America.
Costa Rica is a republic with three powers: executive responsibilities are vested in a president, legislative power is vested on the Legislative Assembly, and Judicial power is vested on the Supreme Court. There are two vice presidents as well as a cabinet and 57 Legislative Assembly delegates. In 2006, Óscar Arias was elected in a tight and highly contested election, running on a platform of promoting free trade. He is succeeded by Laura Chinchilla who won the February 6 2010 election and is the first woman to be elected president of the country.
The Supreme Court is divided into four chambers, one dealing with Constitutional Law, one dealing with Criminal Law and two dealing with Civil Law, Merchant Law and the like.
The central government offers tax exemptions for those willing to invest in the country.
Country Dialing Code 506
Electrical adapters, products and tips here
Daylight Saving Time The countries of Central America do not observe Daylight Saving Time, and will remain on Standard Time throughout the year.