3. Costa Rica is an independent country in Central America, bordered by Panama to the Southeast, Nicaragua to the North, Caribbean Sea to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Costa Rica independence: On 15 th Sept. 1821 Costa Rica became a member of the Short lived First Mexican Empire of Agustin de Lturbide. (Rankin, 2012)

4. Costa Rica ended up to be a province of the new Federal Republic of Central America. In 1838, after Federal Republic of Central America was pulled down, Costa Rica proclaimed itself as a sovereign nation. (Rankin, 2012)

5. The government of Costa Rica is a Constitutional Democracy Laura Chinchilla, Costa Rica, President Costa Rica conducts elections on national level. After every 4 years, elections are conducted after every year. This election sees in the president and vice-president into the office. (Rankin, 2012)

6. According to the 2011 census, Costa Rica had a population of 4,301,712 people. Its urban population is 64% of total population, that is 2753095, rural population 154816 Life expectancy at birth: Total Population: 78.06 years Male: 75.43 years Female: 80.83 years (CIA, 2014)

7. 1 year (2013) deaths / births Male: 9.76 deaths/1,000 live births Female: 8.09 deaths/1,000 live births Total: 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births (CIA, 2014)

8. 1.3 Per P.A (Costa Rica) 1.6 Per P.A (Latin America) In-Net Migration Nicaragua Sohn, I. (2013)

9. Cardiovascular Cancer Respiratory Illness Arias, L. (September 25, 2013)

10. Education: 6.3% (2009) Infrastructure: 2.4% (2013) Pension: 85% (2013) (CIA, 2014)

11. $11,500 U.S Kahle-Piasecki, L. (2013)

12. $45,107.4 (U.S Market Exchange) $9,365 (U.S Market Exchange) GDP Growth - 3.2 Inflation 7.2 Costa Rica: Country fact sheet (2014)

13. $45,107.4 (U.S Market Exchange) $9,365 (U.S Market Exchange) GDP Growth - 3.2 Inflation 7.2 Costa Rica: Country fact sheet (2014)

14. Electrical, electronic equipment (microprocessors for Intel. (International Trade Centre, 2013)

15. As of 2013: 5 public universities 55 private (Approximately). (Turner, 2014)

16. Definition: age 15 and over can read and write. Total population: 97.4% Male: 96% Female: 96.5% (CIA, 2014)

17. 1 st World This is based on the following facts: Costa Rica is considered to be “amongst the most stable countries in Central America”. 97.4 literacy rate, with free education for both primary and secondary education. 96.4% of population access to clean water Ranked #57 overall of 144 countries on the World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Index. Growing diversified economy with several tax free trade zones. Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

18. Better infrastructure would contribute greatly to Costa Rica growing diversification. Rail system that was shut down in 1995 for many years. Recently resumed. For infrastructure Costa Rica ranked 95 out of 144 countries on the World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Index.

20. Rating Detailed Breakdown: Costa Rica ranked well below the mean for varies aspects in their infrastructure:

21. Arias, L. (September 25, 2013 Wednesday ). Costa Rican health officials alarmed at spike in respiratory illnesses. The Tico Times (San Jose, Costa Rica), Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic Costa rica: Country fact sheet. (2014). (). New York: The Economist Intelligence Unit. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/ 1503923446?accountid=44759 Kahle-Piasecki, L. (2013). Business in costa rica: Trends and issues. The Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 15(2), 38-44. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1503091731? accountid=44759 Sohn, I. (2013). Economic and financial reform in costa rica: Challenges and opportunities to 2025. The Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 15(1), 77-93. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1503081854? accountid=44759

22. Baker, C. P. (2013). Costa Rica. New York: Fodor's Travel Publications. Foley, E., & Cooke, B. (2007). Costa Rica. New York: Marshall Cavendish. Rankin, M. A. (2012). The history of Costa Rica. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood, anImprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC.