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Costa Rica Culture, Geography and History
Geography and Environment of Costa Rica
Wedged between the mighty Pacific Ocean and the picturesque Caribbean, Costa Rica is best known for its incredible beaches and magical rainforests. While Costa Rica’s name (meaning ‘Rich Coast’) suggests that Costa Rica’s beauty is limited to its golden beaches, the backbone of this coastal nation consists of some truly stunning mountain ranges, many of which contain active and dormant volcanoes. For this reason, adventure sports such as zip-lining, whitewater rafting and cycling are popular in inland destinations such as La Fortuna and Montverde. Geographically, Costa Rica shares borders with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, serving as a perfect starting point for exploring this fascinating part of the world.
Apart from being a beach lover’s paradise, Costa Rica is renowned for its incredible biodiversity. Over half of the country is blanketed in forest, and those seeking to spot local wildlife will be enthralled by Costa Rica’s unique species of plants and animals. Scuba diving is another popular activity, with Costa Rica boasting some of the most beautiful bays, beaches and reefs in the world.
History and Government of Costa Rica
Other Resources
Recommended Reading
- Green Phoenix: Restoring the Tropical Forests of Guanacaste, Costa Rica - William Allen
- The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica - Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz
- Off the Map - Dorien Kelly
- The Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics - Steven Palmer and Ivan Molina
Shortlist
Costa Rica at a glance
- 33
- San Jose (population 315,000)
- 4.5 million
- Spanish
- CRC
- (GMT-06:00) Central America
- Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin), Type B (American 3-pin)
- +506
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