Costa
Rica is a small Central American country of 19,730
square miles (51,100 sq kilometers), about the
combined size of New Hampshire, New Jersey and
Rhode Island. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean
on the West and the Caribbean on the East; Nicaragua
to the North, and Panamá to the South.
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,
located in Central America, 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
attitude 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
Diversity and Beauty
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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 5 % 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
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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Political Stability
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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The People
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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
Rica’s 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. |
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