1. Costa Rica

3. San José

4. largest cities San José 333,007 Puerto Limón 63,000 San Francisco 55,923 Alajuela 47,494 Liberia 45,380

5. Biggest Cities

6. Indigenous groups Caribs Borucas Chibchas Diquis

7. The first European explorer to arrive in Costa Rica was Christopher Columbus in 1502

8. Independence Septiembre 15, 1821

9. San Jose

10. Basilica of our "Virgen de los Angeles Located in the city of Cartago(1639)

11. National Museum an old army headquarters houses Costa Rican archaeology, jade & gold pieces, colonial & religious art, etc.

12. Poas Volcano The Poas volcano is one of the world's largest geysers with an awesome crater, over 1.5km wide. The volcano is active but completely safe for viewing

13. The Costa Rican civil war erupted in 1948, after incumbent Dr. Rafael Angel Calderon and the United Social Christian Party refused to relinquish power after losing the presidential election.

14. In 1987, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez garnered world recognition when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in ending the Nicaraguan civil war.

15. Interesting Facts -Costa Rica’s poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries -Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born. Three quarters of these are Nicaraguans -3% of Costa Ricans live abroad mostly in the USA working in highly skilled fields -Currency: el colon or colones ₡

16. Demographics -Population 4,695,942 -White(including mestizo) 94% Ticos those from Spanish descend Black 3% Amerindian 1%

17. Religion Catholic 76.3% Evengalical 13.7% Jehovah’s witnesses 1.3% Protestan 0.7%

18. Weather The average annual temperature is around 70 to 81 degrees

19. Food

20. Arreglados

21. Gallo Pinto

22. Tamal