While this fact is certainly a blessing, it does not mean that it was a simple process. Discover librarianselected research resources on costa rican history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. Costa rica has a rich and interesting history dating back thousands of years before columbus arrived in 1502. Irazu is the tallest volcano at 11,259 feet costa rica means rich coast of all the latin american destinations, costa rica might be one of the most endearing. Relations with the native people became friendly enough that they brought him a number of items of gold, possibly prompting. The country make more earnings from tourism then all three main exports. A brief introduction and history of costa rica youtube. Costa rica officially called republic of costa rica, is a country in central america. The history of costa rica told through geology, cultural, politics, enviornment and present day. According to the encyclopedia of surfing, by 2003, there were about 20 surf shops in costa rica mainly clustered around san jose, jaco and tamarindo, 5,000 resident surfers, and a thriving surftourism trade more than 100,000 visitors annually. There was, however, a 44day civil war in 1948, which was. When youre done, you can download your costa rica travel guide to your phone or tablet, or print it as a pdf. Costa rica is a central american country with a land area of 51,100 sq km and a population of nearly 3.
Costa ricas history starts with the movement of tribes southwards from north america during the last ice age between,000 and 17,000 years ago. Costa rica is so much more than just a little country in central america. The golden bands that the regions carib indians wore as earrings and nose rings inspired the crew to name the country costa rica, meaning rich coast. Well educated residents and low cost labor make country interesting for investments. Costa rica is an amazingly diverse country located on the continental divide of north and south america between the caribbean sea and pacific ocean. Costa rica itineraries places tours hotels faqs transport 18884563212. It is bordered by nicaragua to the north, panama to the southeast, the pacific ocean to the west, and the caribbean sea to the east. Second edition revised ivan molina, steven palmer on. As elsewhere in latin america, the united fruit company plays a major role in the cultivation and export of bananas. Relaxing on a beach, trekking through the rainforest, or diving into the ocean.
Costa rica case study unedited working paper 1 1 introduction. Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into batfilled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks, hiking, biking or ziplining your only limit is your return date. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Costa rica s wellpopulated heartland, formed in and around the upland basin known as the valle central or meseta central, is devoted.
Costa rica country history and economic development 1502. The united states and costa rica have a history of close and friendly relations based on mutual respect for democratic government, human freedoms, free trade, and other shared. Costa rica was the area where the mesoamerican and south american native cultures met. Whatever type of person you are we have everything you need and want. Unlike many of its neighbors, however, the ticos managed to do it without bloodshed or revolution. Color photos, species accounts, and distribution maps, for almost three hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates are complimented by general introductions to each group, the ecology of costa rica, and how to travel to see wildlife.
Costa rica is rich in pirate history with some of the most recognized pirates claiming to have buried vast treasures on its shores. Soon after, his forces overcame the indigenous people. Costa ricas development from good to better ana maria oviedo, susana m. The history of costa rica records pretty much nothing between then and 1948, a sign of the peacefulness of this beautiful country.
The first evidence of human settlement in costa rica comes from around 10,000bc 12,000 years ago. Check out each downloadable costa rica guide for travelling in this beautiful. Tamarindo has witnessed a number of changes over the past 35 years, waves of development that reflect the fashions, economies, migratory patterns and politics of the larger world. In costa rica, a discoteca is a nightclub, and a nightclub is actually a strip club. The most prosperous of the central american common marketos five countries, costa rica has a long history of democratic stability and one of latin americaos highest levels. Explore costa rica holidays and discover the best time and places to visit. He incorporated the territory into the captaincy general of guatemala as a province of new spain in 1524. Humberto lopez systematic country diagnostic costa ricas development from good to better. Costa rica has a life expectancy of 77 years, one of the highest in the world there are more than 121 volcanic formations in costa rica of which seven are active. While sharing with its neighbors the experiences of colonial exploitation and commodityexport dependency, costa rica managed to rise above.
It has enjoyed a long period of peace since the 1948 civil war. With the exception of chiapas, these central american provinces split off from mexico in the wake of iturbides fall. Situated between nicaragua and panama, costa rica has enjoyed a tranquil history, a neutral land that last saw a national army in 1949. Costa rican war heroine costa ricas first woman in the military, born in. Download fulltext pdf download fulltext pdf tectonostratigraphic response of the sandino forearc basin n costa rica and wnicaragua to episodes of rough crust and oblique subduction. History of costa rica lonely planet travel information. The history of costa rica starts in precolumbian times when the indigenous people of the area were part of the intermediate area between mesoamerican and andean cultural regions, and also includes the influence of the isthmocolumbian area. It is bordered by nicaragua and panama in the north and south, respectively, and by the caribbean and pacific oceans on the east and west. Honduras, nicaragua, and costa ricahad adhered to iturbides mexico by 1822. All you have to do is select the type of places youd like to include restaurants, museums, etc. Costa rica simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Deficit leads moodys to downgrade costa rica s credit rating. Ticos, as the people of costa rica are called, use the phrase pura vida pure life in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. The united states established diplomatic relations with costa rica in 1851, following its independence from spain and the later dissolution of a federation of central american states.
The miles of rugged coast, offshore islands, and protected bays make. In 1502 christopher columbuss fourth atlantic voyage brought him to the shores of costa rica, where he remained for 18 days refitting his ships. Spanish in costa rica is spoken with a distinctive national accent and employs peculiar usages. Biodiverstiy and tourism in costa rica march, 2001 6 1. Due to this stability tourism has flourished, contributing greatly to the countrys economy. Ticos are generally proud of their political freedoms and their relatively stable economy. Discover the best costa rica history in best sellers. Costa ricas history of orderly, democratic government began in the late 19th cent.
Summary of the socioeconomic situation in costa rica1. Costa ricas valuable crops are sugar and above all coffee until a third, bananas, is added in the late 19th century. Click the image for a larger version or download the free printable pdf map here. Achieving independence was one of the most important events in costa rica history. Costa rica location, geography, people, culture, economy. Costa ricans replace the diminutive ending tito with tico hence their nickname, a practice known elsewhere but uncommon in central america.
History of surfing in costa rica santa teresa surf report. Costa rica is often considered one of the most politically stable countries in latin america. In 1502 when christopher columbus landed in puerto limon, less than 20 indigenous tribes occupied the lands which are now costa rica. He incorporated the territory into the captaincy general of guatemala as a. In 1999, the costa rica surfing association was founded. In the history coffee production was the largest industry in country. Pages in category films set in costa rica the following 12 pages are in this category, out of 12 total. Instead of recurring cycles of dictatorship and poverty, costa rica boasts an enduring democracy and the highest standards of living in central america. Spanish colonizing expedition led by gil gonzalez davila names the area costa rica, or rich coast because of the large amounts of gold given to them by the natives. Costa rica country history and economic development. The first natives in costa rica were hunters, and gatherers, and costa rica served as an intermediate region between mesoamerican and andean native cultures christopher columbus first dropped anchor in costa rica in 1502 at isla uvita. Costa rica is thus wellequipped for the world traveller. Looking at a map it is easy to see that costa rica is a likely place for these marauders to hide their booty. Tourism is now firmly established as an industry in tamarindo cabinas, hotels, restaurants and bars proliferate.
List of books and articles about costa rican history. Costa rica description cost rica is a central american country of 3. Costa rica was originally part of the united provinces of central america, which had separated from mexico in 1823. Costa rica with the literacy rate of 95% ranks among highest in latin america. The human development index places it as a highlevel country. Important events, famous birthdays and historical deaths from our searchable today in history archives. Accessible, concise histories such as these, aimed at a general readership, are nearly impossible to come by. The isthmus that it is located on is a natural melting pot of wildlife, flora and fauna from both of these continents. An era of peaceful democracy in costa rica began in 1899 with elections considered the first truly free and honest ones in the countrys history. Other articles where history of costa rica is discussed.
1059 1188 259 497 1522 136 1165 21 682 443 883 1337 270 941 451 1063 1126 200 174 505 961 836 1422 847 49 409 497 581 728 935 120 1366 857 644 510 200 1469 133 873 883 1178 461 908