Costa
Rica
Population: 3.9 million
Size: 51,000 sq. km.
Official Language: Spanish
Capital: San Jose
Currency: $1 CDN = 461 CRC (Costa Rican Colon) as of August, 2006.
Costa Rica is a small mountainous country on the narrow
Central American isthmus. It is only a days drive from
the northern border with Nicaragua to neighbouring Panama
in south, and one could cross from ocean to ocean in
only a few hours. Costa Rica is Central America’s
special jewel. It has a reputation for being one of
the safest countries in Central America since the political
situation is stable and the army was abolished already
in 1948. The people are peace loving, friendly and happy
to share their beautiful country with visitors from
all over the world.
The country is famous for its biological diversity
and varying geography with two coasts that provide a
significant amount of tourist orientated or remote beaches.
Additionally, you will encounter everything from exuberant
rainforest to active volcanoes and windswept mountaintops.
Costa Rica has the best developed conservation program
in Latin America, one fourth of the country is protected
by the government and 12% of the total area lies within
one of the 25 National Parks that are found in Costa
Rica. Successive governments have made a real effort
to preserve the country’s image as ecotourism heaven,
making Costa Rica one of the best places to experience
the tropics naturally and with minimal impact. Costa
Rica is often cited as a model for conservation in harmony
with community development and economic growth.
Visit this link for more information about Costa
Rica:
www.costarica.com/Home
