History

As the history of many Central American countries goes, Costa Rica began its colonial existence as a result of Spanish occupation when Columbus landed in present day Punta Islita on the Caribbean coast on September 18, 1502; his fourth and final voyage to the New World. However, before Columbus’ arrival, evidence exists of indigenous habitation for roughly 10,000 years including the tribes of Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis.

After Spanish colonization in the Central Valley Zone (currently San Jose, Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia) and a minor civil war, Costa Rica became an independent nation on September 15, 1821. Guatemala, the governmental seat for Spanish Central America, declared itself independent from Spain on this date, thus also creating Costa Rica’s status as a free nation. As the Spaniards realized potential for more gold and slave resources in the Mexican and Guatemalan regions, they turned their focus northward, essentially abandoning their Spanish transplants in Costa Rica. It took more than a month for the news of its independence to reach Costa Rica, but the democratic nation that Costa Rica is today wasted time getting to work.

The roots of democracy took hold and has made Costa Rica an example of constancy in the rather historically unstable countries of Central America. The most notable political figure to emerge from Costa Rica’s democracy is Oscar Arias Sanchez who won the Noble Peace Prize in 1987 for his peace efforts in Central America and specifically in civil war-torn Nicaragua. With the majority of its almost 4 million inhabitant’s falling into the middle-class category, this tropical country boasts a 96% literacy rate with a huge focus on education, medical care for all its citizens and peace with no national army.

Internationally and agriculturally speaking, Costa Rica is known for its fantastic Arabica coffee. In fact it’s against the law here to sell the sub-standard Robusto version. However, pineapple is actually the number one agricultural export followed by bananas and then coffee beans. High-tech computer exports also lend significant aid to the economy, namely with the Intel manufacturing plant.

Today, Costa Rica enjoys a growing eco-tourism market maximizing its environmental resources, but paying close attention to preservation for future visitors. Adventure sports abound in every part of Costa Rica as well as the more relaxed tropical sanctuaries that you expect to see on a postcard. Interestingly, Costa Rica’s history began like many other countries in Central America, but has evolved into a very unique, stable and progressive-thinking country in Latin America and will continue to be on the international forefront with its developing efforts in environmental protection, eco-tourism and international trade and commerce.

Costa Rica Information
History
Safety & Health Concerns




	History As the history of many Central American countries goes, Costa Rica began its colonial existence as a result of Spanish occupation when Columbus landed in present day Punta Islita on the Caribbean coast on September 18, 1502; his fourth and final voyage to the New World. However, before Columbus’ arrival, evidence exists of indigenous habitation for roughly 10,000 years including the tribes of Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis. After Spanish colonization in the Central Valley Zone (currently San Jose, Cartago, Alajuela and Heredia) and a minor civil war, Costa Rica became an independent nation on September 15, 1821. Guatemala, the governmental seat for Spanish Central America, declared itself independent from Spain on this date, thus also creating Costa Rica’s status as a free nation. As the Spaniards realized potential for more gold and slave resources in the Mexican and Guatemalan regions, they turned their focus northward, essentially abandoning their Spanish transplants in Costa Rica. It took more than a month for the news of its independence to reach Costa Rica, but the democratic nation that Costa Rica is today wasted time getting to work. The roots of democracy took hold and has made Costa Rica an example of constancy in the rather historically unstable countries of Central America. The most notable political figure to emerge from Costa Rica’s democracy is Oscar Arias Sanchez who won the Noble Peace Prize in 1987 for his peace efforts in Central America and specifically in civil war-torn Nicaragua. With the majority of its almost 4 million inhabitant’s falling into the middle-class category, this tropical country boasts a 96% literacy rate with a huge focus on education, medical care for all its citizens and peace with no national army. Internationally and agriculturally speaking, Costa Rica is known for its fantastic Arabica coffee. In fact it’s against the law here to sell the sub-standard Robusto version. However, pineapple is actually the number one agricultural export followed by bananas and then coffee beans. High-tech computer exports also lend significant aid to the economy, namely with the Intel manufacturing plant. Today, Costa Rica enjoys a growing eco-tourism market maximizing its environmental resources, but paying close attention to preservation for future visitors. Adventure sports abound in every part of Costa Rica as well as the more relaxed tropical sanctuaries that you expect to see on a postcard. Interestingly, Costa Rica’s history began like many other countries in Central America, but has evolved into a very unique, stable and progressive-thinking country in Latin America and will continue to be on the international forefront with its developing efforts in environmental protection, eco-tourism and international trade and commerce.		Costa Rica Information History Safety & Health Concerns