The
Republic of Costa Rica |
The
Republic of Costa Rica is
a country in Central America of
19,730 square miles (51,100 sq kilometers)(about the combined
size of New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island) , bordered
by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-southeast,
the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and the Caribbean
Sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country
in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.
Crossing from one coast to the other takes about five hours
by land; traveling overland from the northern to southern
border takes about 10-11 hours on the Interamerican
Highway.
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The more
than one million tourists who visit Costa
Rica each year do so for good reason, Costa Rica is a fantastically
gorgeous country which offers beautiful beaches;
the majestic, active Arenal
volcano; lush, exotic, fantasy-green rain
and cloud forests (amid which this development is situated),
and a seemingly never-ending range of tropical animal and plant
life. |
Along with its unparalleled
and impressive scenic beauty reinforced by a consolidated system
of protected wildlife areas,
Costa Rica offers the potential
investor/resident social and political stability, excellent schools
at all levels, and an expanding, modern communications, transportation
and services infrastructure.
Costa Rica's strategic position in the heart
of the Western Hemisphere, its government's positive attiude to
foreign investment, its infrastructure, access to international
markets, and the quality and cost of labor, make Costa Rica an
ideal place both to live and to do business |
Natural
Biodiversity |
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Costa
Rica comprises only 0.01 percent of the earth's landmass (less
than 20,000 square miles), yet is home to five percent of the
planet's animal and plant species. There are more
species of plants and animals per acre in Costa Rica than anywhere
in the world. Biodiversity is evident everywhere:
10,000 species of plants, 850 species of birds, 800 species
of butterflies, 500 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
You don't have to go far to experience a different and unique
ecosystem: mountains over 12,000 feet; active volcanoes; cloud
and rain forests; waterfalls and tropical jungles; banana, sugar,
pineapple, coffee and papaya plantations; mangrove forests and
coastal swamps; and beaches and marine environments that support
a variety of water fowl, fish and crustaceans. Approximately
30 percent of Costa Rica is protected as national parks, biological
and archeological reserves, and wildlife refuges.
Costa Rica's natural wealth
appears boundless... we can proudly said we hold 6 % of the
entire Biodiversity in the world. |
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130
species of freshwater fish
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160
species of amphibians
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208
species of mammals
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220
species of reptiles
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850
species of birds
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1,000
species of butterflies
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1,200
varieties of orchids
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9,000
species of plants
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Natural
canal systems through jungles
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Cloud
forests
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Coral
reefs
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Deciduous
forests
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Elevations
from sea level to 12,529 feet
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Mangrove
swamps
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Rain
forests
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Tropical
dry forests
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Volcanoes
(112 craters)
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White,
black, and pink shell beaches on both coasts
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Extensive
river networks
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Costa
Ricans are very proud of their democracy - one of the oldest
in Latin America - and peaceful history. Through
its constitution, the country abolished
its army in 1948 and invested the resources
previously committed to military defense in conservation, education
and public health. Several political parties exist in Costa
Rica and over 80 percent of the citizens participate in the
political process. While it is common for one party to replace
another in power following general and presidential elections,
the transitions are peaceful. |
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Costa
Ricans, or "Ticos,"
are happy, friendly and gracious people. Their common greeting
is "Pura Vida!"
There is little abject poverty and a thriving middle class.
The 93 percent literacy
rate is the highest in Latin America. Education
is free and compulsory for all. Costa Ricas health care system,
modeled after the Canadian system, includes both public and
private care providers. Life expectancy is the same as in the
U.S. - 77 years. |
© 2006 Costa Rica X Group
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