Costa Rica is about 51,000 square Kilometers in size. It is bordered on the North by Nicaragua, the South by Panama, the
West by the Pacific Ocean and on the East by the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided by mountain chains running generally
from the Northwest to the South. These form part of the Continental Divide so that in part of the country, drainage is toward
the Pacific Ocean and part toward the Caribbean Sea.

Costa Rica is in the isthmus of Central America on the southern most part of the North American Continent (as US residents
see it!). In Latin America, it is considered that there is only one continent in this hemisphere, the American Continent and
anyone who lives on it is an American. There is a 3000 square kilometer central valley with fertile soils and a pleasant climate.
This home to the majority of the population and is the source of one of Costa Rica's most famous crops, coffee. Many of the
principal mountain chains are made up of volcanos. Near San Jose is Irazu Volcano, which erupted a considerable amount of
ash in the early 60's, Poas Volcano, with one of the largest active craters in the world, and Barba Volcano, an extinct volcano
with a beautiful forest in its crater. Arenal Volcano, a young volcano in the northern part of the country, has been in fairly
constant eruption for years. Chirripo is the tallest mountain in the country (3,819 m.) but is not a volcano.

Coastal Areas

About 65% of Costa Rica's border is shoreline. Some of the most beautiful and idyllic beaches on the planet are found here.
These shores are not heavily populated and many tourism projects are being developed there. Much of this has been on the
beaches of the North Pacific coast because of its extensive dry season, but recently development has also been taking place on
certain parts of the Caribbean Coast where, in some ways, the climate is superior to the Pacific Coast. One must remember
that no part of Costa Rica is more than 120 Km. from a coast so in certain ways, Costa Rica is like a big tropical island
paradise!

Climate

Costa Rica has four main climatic zones. The Wet Lowlands: The entire Caribbean Lowlands and the Southern Pacific
Lowlands are characterized by a weak or nonexistent dry season and fairly high temperatures. The rainfall is not as high in some beach areas and is greater as one goes inland and reaches slightly higher elevations. Lowlands with a Definite Dry Season:
Most of Guanacaste Province and some of Puntarenas fall in this zone. It has quite warm temperatures and a very pronounced
and extended dry season. Temperate Climate: Between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level and usually with a marked dry season, this is the most comfortable climatic zone. The Central Valley is within this zone. Mountain Climate: Any area over
1,500 meters. Characterized by cooler temperatures, even below freezing over 3,000 meters, and usually fairly wet, with
blowing mist and drizzle on occasion.

Form of Government

The Costa Rica of today exists under the constitution of November the 7th, 1949. Although this constitution made many
advances over previous ones, perhaps its most outstanding provision, and one that is even beginning to affect other countries by emulation, is that which prohibits the existence of a standing army.

The Constitution provides for a President, exercising Executive Power. He is elected by popular vote to a period of four years.
He may not secede himself. There are two Vice-Presidents and a board of Ministers, but no Prime Minister. The Congress is a
single chambered legislature whose members are elected from candidates, chosen by the different political parties, by the
general popular vote. There are 57 congressmen elected to four year terms.

The most important judicial body in the nation is the Supreme Court. Its 17 members are elected by the legislature for a
minimum of 8 years. It appoints the members of most lower courts. Other courts of great importance are the Electoral Tribune,
which watches over the fairness of elections and compliance with electoral law, and the Constitutional Court, which rules on the constitutionality of laws and in general protects citizens from possible government excesses and incorrect actions. This later
court is a recent addition to the Costa Rican judicial scene; one which has been accepted almost with glee by many citizens. It,
on a number of occasions, has thrown out major, long standing laws, challenged by ordinary citizens on constitutional grounds.

Religion

Perhaps as much as 90% of the population professes to Catholicism, which is the official religion of the country. Other religious beliefs, as well as the lack of religious faith, not only exist freely in the country but are protected by the constitution.

Banking

In 1948, the founders of the second republic nationalized the banking system. Over the years this system has been liberalized
until many private banks again exist, although under certain restrictions that do not apply to the nationalized banks. Indications
are that, within a short time, not only will the remaining restrictions be lifted from the private banks but that the private banks
that were nationalized in 1948 will be made private once again. The Costa Rican Central Bank is now the only bank allowed to
emit currency. It presently regulates international exchange rates and certain other aspects of banking in Costa Rica. The
functions of the Central Bank are also being liberalized as time passes.

The banks in Costa Rica offer most the services offered by modern banks in other countries, including credit cards and
automatic teller machines for after hours banking. Computerized banking services for clients are just beginning to be initiated.

Health Services

According to the World Health Organization, Costa Rica is one of the countries that has made the most progress in its health
services. It has a rapidly dropping infant mortality rate and a rapidly climbing life expectancy.

There are numerous hospitals in the country operated by the national social security system. This system was established to
provide universal medical services and is getting very close to achieving this goal. It also provides disability, maternity, old-age
pension and death benefits. Students come from many countries to study medicine in Costa Rica. Many foreign visitors come to
take advantage of inexpensive but very professional medical care in Costa Rica. Plastic surgery and dental procedures are in
particularly high demand.

Education

Constant attention to education has made Costa Rica into the most literate country in Central America. In effect, its literacy rate
rivals that of many much larger and much more wealthy industrialized nations. Since the 70's, the nation has consistently
invested over 28% of the national budget in education. The lack of an expensive military establishment has been a great help in
this. By law elementary schooling is free and obligatory. Some 70% of secondary education is provided by public high schools.

Although university level education dates back to the last century, in modern times it has mostly been imparted by the University of Costa Rica, a state university founded in 1940. Thirty years later a number of state universities came into existence, including
one that teaches only via correspondence. In 1977 the first private university came into existence.
 
Where does the word "Tico" come from?

In Spanish the use of the diminutive form of many words is a sign of friendliness. In the case of many Spanish words the
diminutive is formed by replacing the final o (or a) with ito (ita). "Momento" (a moment) becomes "momentito" (a little moment). A century ago, most Costa Ricans had a minor verbal affection in that they changed words to the diminutive by mistakenly
adding "ico", giving us words like "momentico". Since Costa Ricans usually were quite friendly people and thus used the
diminutive a lot, people of other countries took to calling them "Ticos". Although the ever efficient Costa Rican educational
system has long since eliminated this quaint error from the speech of most Ticos, The term "Tico" remains to commemorate this
charming affection of the past.
 
What Makes Ticos so Different?

This is a fairly common question. The answer lies in the history of the country and its culture. From the beginning this country
has had little violence. In colonial times it was one of the few parts of Latin America settled by people who just wanted a nice
place to live and raise their families, rather than, as in many of the colonies, which were settled by people more interested in the
exploitation of the indians and their gold. Sure there are a few "sophisticates" who emulate other cultures, but most Ticos are
still as warm hearted and friendly as their ancestors. There have been endless numbers of cases of Ticos who, after being asked directions by a foreign visitor, instead of mumbling, "so many blocks that way and so many in another way", happily take the
questioner to his destination. Or even inviting the visitor to his house first! There are even many cases of people from other
countries that live in Costa Rica, becoming just as friendly as the Ticos. A wonderful case of something good rubbing off from
the amiable Ticos!

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