Country Information

Central America.

51,100 sq km (19,730 sq miles).

4,695,942 (2013).

91.9 per sq km.

San José.

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Costa Rica, lying between Nicaragua and Panama, is a complete coast-to-coast segment of the Central American isthmus. Its width ranges from 119km to 282km (74 to 176 miles). A low, thin line of hills that rises between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua, broadens as it enters northern Costa Rica, eventually forming the high, rugged, mountains in the Pacific Northwest and the centre of Costa Rica. The southern half of the country is dominated by mountains of tectonic origin; the highest peak is Chirripó Grande, which reaches 3,820m (12,530ft). More than half the population live on the Meseta Central, a plateau with an equitable climate. It is the setting for the country's capital, San José. There are lowlands on both coastlines, mainly swampy on the Caribbean coast, with savannah and dry forest on the Pacific Northwest merging into mangrove and rainforest southward. Rivers cut through the mountains, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Spanish is the official language and this is what is primarily spoken. English is fairly widely spoken also. Within differing indigenous communities, a variety of indigenous languages are used.

Almost entirely Christian, with a Roman Catholic majority of 70.5%.

GMT - 6.

Greetings usually take the form of a handshake, or a single kiss on the cheek. Formal titular address is important also important. Christian names are preceded by Señor for a man and Señora for a woman, but Don is used to address a highly respected man and Doña for a female equivalent. When addressing someone in Spanish, use the ‘usted’ form of ‘you’; reserve ‘vos’ for friends, family and children. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home and gifts are appreciated as a token of thanks, especially if invited for a meal. For most occasions casual wear is acceptable, but beachwear should be confined to the beach. Saving face is important in Costa Rican culture, which may make mean you are told ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ even when the answer is really ‘no’. In addition, avoid making confrontational statements unless you want to be thought rude.

120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are standard.

President Laura Chinchilla Miranda since 2010.

President Laura Chinchilla Miranda since 2010.

Columbus landed in what is now Costa Rica in 1501. Under the rule of General Tomas Guardia between 1870 and 1882, Costa Rica developed many of its principal modern characteristics, notably the minimal role of the Catholic Church in secular matters and an adherence to the principles of democracy. Throughout the 20th century, Costa Rica enjoyed peace and a steady growth in prosperity, with the notable exception of a civil war in 1948, which followed a disputed presidential election. Significantly, Costa Rica is the only country in the region to have abolished the national army.