|
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is
a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north,
Panama to the south-southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south,
and the Caribbean sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country in
the world to constitutionally abolish its army.
In 2005, Costa Rica had an estimated population of 4,016,173 persons.
The majority of people in Costa Rica are descended from Spanish
settlers. In contrast to its neighboring populations, little mixing of
the Spanish settlers and the indigenous populations occurred.
Therefore, a vast majority of Costa Ricans are either of spanish or to
a lesser extent of mixed mestizo heritage. Together, European and
Mestizos descendants make up a full 94% of the population. Just under
3% of the population is of black African descent who are called
Afro-Costa Ricans and a few are of English-speaking descendants of 19th
century black Jamaican immigrant workers. Another 1% is composed of
ethnic chinese.
Costa Rican traditions and culture tend to retain a strong degree of
Spanish influence. Costa Rica was the point where the Mesoamerican and
South American native cultures met. The northwest of the country,
Nicoya, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl cultural influence when
the Spanish conquerors came in the 16th century. The center and
southern portions of the country had Chibcha influences.
However, the indigenous people have influenced modern Costa Rican
culture to a relatively small degree, as most of the Indians died from
disease and mistreatment by the Spaniards. The Atlantic coast,
meanwhile, was populated with African slaves in the 17th and 18th
centuries, although most Caribbean Costa Ricans of African ascent
descend from Jamaican workers brought in during the 19th century to
work in the construction of railways connecting the urban populations
of the Central Plateau to the port of Limón on the Caribbean coast.
During the 19th century Chinese and Italian immigrants came to the
country to work on the construction of the railroad system as well.
 Costa Rica provinces
SAN JOSÉ
Territorial Area: 4.959 km2
Population: 1.227.776 residents
The city of San José has been the capital of the Province of San
José since 1823. Here, there are many public interest sites, such as
museums, galleries, and a lot of restaurants, casinos, bars and
nightclubs. From any point of the city, one can observe
the volcanic mountain ranges of Barva, Poás and Irazú. There are no
buildings older than 150 years. San José is the center of business
activity in Costa Rica with its multitude of stores, malls,
supermarkets and industries. There is a lot of inter-urban traffic.
Numerous bus-stops offer transportation to any part of the country.
The climate is fresh almost during the whole year with an average of 22
Degrees Celsius. In the month March and April this temperature raises a
little but there are never extreme temperatures.
GUANACASTE
Territorial Area: 101.141 km2
Population: 218.234 residents
A list of endless delightful beaches, rivers, folklore attractions,
traditions could be found in Guanacaste. There are many National Parks
such as the Guanacaste National Park, Palo Verde National Park, and
places like the Barra Honda Caverns and Volcano Rincón de la Vieja etc.
Several famous battles took place in this province: The Santa Rosa
battle, that defeated William Wlaker on March 20th in 1856 for
instance.
Usually the weather is warm all over the year, temperature goes from
85 to 95 F the warmest months goes from November to April, between May
and October there is presence of rain.
ALAJUELA
Territorial Area: 9.753 km2
Population: 586.836 residents
Alajuela, enjoys an excellent weather, it seems that the spring passed
and stayed in this place, a wonderful example of this fact is the city
of Atenas, that has been considered as the owner of the best weather of
the world. The vegetation and flora are another attraction of Alajuela.
Poás Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano and San Carlos.
Costa Rica is full of beautiful and enchanted places, one of those
is Sarchí at where you can admire the perfect ability of the craftsmen
in those pieces in which you can admire art and beauty. Thousands of
tourists have taken to their homes one part of the heart of these
craftsmen by getting this poetic wooden art.
HEREDIA
Territorial Area: 2.657 km2
Population: 315.158 residents
Beautiful landscapes, architectonic and historic designs, religious
traditions, that´s Heredia. They keep their cultural heritage and you
can see this specially in Barva de Heredia (historic town because it
maintains antiques houses made by adobe). There, the history and the
old Costa Rican traditions are stopped. It is easy to find for the
tourist in the party town the famous clowns, the Cimarrona and typical
food.
In Heredia one can find some industrial zones, as well as the site of
the National Center of food distribution CENADA (Centro Nacional de
Distribución de Alimentos) But most of the area is dedicated to
agriculture growing coffee, vegetables, sugar cane, fruits, corn,
beans, dairyfarming, flower and plant exportation.
The climate is pleasant, specially in the summer season; the average
temperatures 22 degrees Celsius and in the summer time little higher.
Heredia lies at 1150 meters.
LIMON
Territorial Area: 9.188 km2
Population: 274.135 residents
In the middle of tropical jungle, the fantasy of the Caribbean
tradition and the tropical forest rises in the form of national parks,
beaches, recreation centers, rivers restaurants, and becomes, right in
front of eyes in Limón.
The Afrocaribbean culture that domains at the area transmits an emotive
rhythm each one of its visitors, the ambient of the area and the
quality of its people make Limon the province of happiness, parties and
the flavour in Costa Rica.
The name of the Province comes from a Lemon Tree that was found in
front of the governor's office which was unique of its class.
An important characteristic of Limón is its annual carnivals that do
not go unnoticed for national tourist and many foreign visitors have
taken a good experience with them for enjoying this party due to of the
annual and big mobilization of these people.
The climate is warm, and humid. The seasons are somehow different as in
the rest of the country. In September and October, when it rains a lot
in the rest of the country there is no rain in Limón. The average
daytime temperatures are between 25 and 30 Degrees Celsius The nights
are cool and refreshing. The constant breeze from the Atlantic Ocean
helps, that there are no extreme temperatures during the different
seasons. All this applies to the regions near sealevel. The mountains (
up to 10'000 ft, 3'000m ) are cool.
Puntarenas
Territorial Area: 11.277 km2
Population: 358.980 residents
This province is very important for Costa Rica because of its beautiful
beaches and the fast growth of the hotels for vacation area for
national and international tourism.
Is an ideal place for fishing as sport, also, is a place for fishing as
an important source of income and jobs for the residents of this
province.
Puntarenas stretches along the Pacific Coast with lots of beaches and
beach towns and many National Parks like the Manuel Antonio National
Park and the Corcovado National Park. It also is the Surfer's Paradise
with Hotels in Jacó like the Balcón del Mar that specialize to
accommodate surfers.
Some of the most important natural reserves, like the Absolute Natural
Reserve of Cabo Blanco and the Wildlife Natural Refuge of Golfito can
be found there.
Cartago
Territorial Area: 3.125 km2
Population: 392.907 residents
There is something very particular in this province its good to stand out its peacefulness.
The zone of Cartago is blessed with exuberant nature that decorates
each spot that is found at its own paths. Deep inside of the park you
will the impressive Cachí hydroelectric stemming. Inside of this little
province you can enjoy of an attractive for those who likes of high
tensions: the rafting. This activity enriches in a specific way the
greatest natural ambient of Cartago.
The cool climate during the whole year is very pleasing. The average
temperature being 2024 Degree Celsius with no extremes during the year.
In the higher elevation, for instance in Tierra Blanca, the
temperatures are considerably lower. Cartago is at 1435m above
sealevel.
|
