About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an amazing country with a widely diverse culture, people, history, nature, activities, and geography. Costa Rica has two coasts and with that, two main cultures.  On the Pacific Ocean and on the Atlantic Ocean, especially in and around Limon, is an English-speaking, Jamaican influenced African-Caribbean culture.

A high altitude change throughout the central part of the country offers all ranges of climates.

Costa Ricans take great pride in their country and are very honest people. The country offers four types of rain forests and over 60 clearly recognizable volcanoes.

Costa Rica, meaning "Rich Coast", was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish the use of a national army.

Costa Rica has a total of  51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles) and possesses the greatest density and diversity of species in the world.

The highest point in the country is Cerro Chiripo at 3,820 metres (12,532 ft), the fifth highest peak in all of Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Volcan Irazu (3,431 m / 11,257 ft).

Parts of Costa Rica

 

San José

  • Area: 1,918.2 mi2
  • Capital City
  • (Fifth province in size: 10% of national area)
  • Población: 1.356.442 (2000)
  • Population Density: 15.5 inhabitants per square mile
  • Geography and Meteorology:
  • Elevation: 3,773 feet
  • Average Temperature: 68.5°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59-79 inches

Alajuela

  • Main City: Alajuela
  • Area: 3,769.1 mi2 (Third province in size: 19% of national area)
  • Population: 716.935 (2000)
  • Population density: 190.2 per square mile
  • Elevation: 3,123 feet
  • Average Temperature: 74,4°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59-83 inches

Heredia

  • Main City: Heredia
  • Area: 1,026.6 mi2  (Smallest province: 5% of national area)
  • Population: 354,926 (2000)
  • Population density: 133,5 per square mile
  • Elevation: 3,773 feet
  • Average Temperature: 67,6°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59- 79 inches

Cartago

  • Main City: Cartago
  • Area: 1,206.9 mi2  (Sixth province in size - 6% of national area)
  • Population: 432.923 (2000)
  • Population density:  358.5 per square mile
  • Elevation: 4.708 feet
  • Average Temperature:  66.6°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59- 79 inches

Guanacaste

  • Main City: Guanacaste
  • Area: 3,917.1 mi2 (Second province in size: 20% of national area)
  • Population: 264,474 (2000)
  • Population density: 67.5 per square mile
  • Elevation: 472 feet
  • Average Temperature: 80.8°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59- 79 inches

Puntarenas

  • Main City: Puntarenas
  • Area: 4,351.6 mi2  (Largest province: 22% of national area)
  • Population: 358,137 (2000)
  • Population density: 82.3  per square mile
  • Elevation: 13 feet
  • Average Temperature: 80.7°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 59 - 83  inches

Limón

  • Main City: Limón
  • Area: 3549.2 mi2 (Fourth province in size: 18% of national area)
  • Population: 432.923 (2000)
  • Population density: 80,4 per square mile
  • Elevation: 10 feet
  • Average Temperature: 78.1°F
  • Annual Rainfall: 118-157 inches