| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
Central America and the Caribbean |
| Geographical Location |
10° 00' North Latitude
84° 00' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
51,100 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands |
| Natural Resources |
Hydropower |
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| Political Information |
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| Country Name |
Republic of Costa Rica |
| Capital City |
San Jose |
| Government Type |
Democratic republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose |
| Independence Day |
15 September 1821 (from Spain) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
4,016,173 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Costa Rican |
| Ethnic Groups |
White (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% |
| Languages |
Spanish (official), English |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.48% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Costa Rican colon (CRC) |
| Industries |
Microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products |
| Labor Force |
1.81 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber |
| Export Commodities |
Coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment |
| Export Partners |
US 14.2%, Guatemala 3%, Nicaragua 2.7% (2003) |
| Import Commodities |
Raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum |
| Import Partners |
US 23.2%, Mexico 4.7%, Venezuela 3.2% (2003) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
950 km |
| Highways |
35,303 km |
| Pipelines |
Refined products 242 km (2004) |
| Airports |
149 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+506 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.cr |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development.
Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high.
Land ownership is widespread. |
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