2. Getting to Know Costa Rica “Facts on Central America’s Jewel”

3. Location 10 00 N, 84 00 W Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Total area: 51,100 sq km coastal plains separated by rugged mountains, over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL, WET AND DRY SEASONS

4. Government President: Óscar Arias Sánchez (Nobel Peace Prize 1987) Type of Gov: Democratic Republic 115 years of democracy 2 Vice Presidents and a Cabinet designated by the President

5. Christopher Columbus visited it on his fourth expedition in 1502 Fierce indigenous resistance Most of population fell ill due to diseases brought by colonists On September 15, 1821 they declared their independence from the Spanish Empire

6. Flora and Fauna 1250 species of butterflies 8000 species of moths Army antsHercules beetle Red Eyed Tree frog Poison Dart frogs Giant ToadAnhinga Tamandua anteater 500+ tree species Spider monkey White- throated Capuchin monkey

7. Demographics In 2005, Costa Rica had an estimated population of 4,016,173 persons Descended from Spanish settlers and Amerindian peoples Many are from Italian, Polish, German, Jewish descent 92% are Christian 3 in 4 are Roman Catholics

8. Great Hotels A list of several good hotels, their address, and the exchange ratelist Martino Resort and SpaMarriott Costa Rica Best Western Irazu Gran Hotel Hampton Inn Grano de Oro Hotel BACK TO HOME PAGE