The Republic of Costa Rica is a central-American country. It borders on Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, and to its east is the Caribbean Sea.

History

Christopher Columbus visited Costa Rican in his fourth expedition (1502), arriving at Cariay close to Isla Uvita. The Spanish conquest of Mexico was most impressive.

Costa Rica gained its independence from the Spanish Empire on 13 October, 1821 and it since this independence was marked by total non-violence Costa Rica came to known as a peace loving state.

Costa Rica is one of the few places in Central America to have avoided violence. In 1949 the army was constitutionally abolished by José Figueres Ferrer and became the first country to follow a democratic system without military presence.

Geographical Features

The highest point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripo at 12,500 feet. It is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano is Irazú Volcano at 11,257 feet. The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.

Costa Rica also include many islands like the Cocos Island. The biggest island in Costa Rica is Calero Island.

More than twenty five percent of the national territory in Costa Rica is given over to national parks. Within its narrow dimensions, Costa Rica represents the greatest species density on all the planet.

Climate

The climate of Costa is tropical due to its proximity to the Earth's equator. The geography has a profound affect on climate and the changes are dependent on the amount of rainfall received in a given year.

Locals divide the climate into two seasons. Verano, the summer season is from December to May and is the dry season. Invierno, the winter session is from May to November and in most parts of the country it rains constantly.

Places to visit

The city of San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the largest city in the country. Places of interest in San Jose include the Banco Central de Costa Rica, the Banco Nacional, La Sabana Metropolitan Park, Avenida Central, Central Park, and the Plaza de la Cultura. The National Theatre of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica), Melico Salazar Theatre, and the Cathedral are some of the other popular landmarks in the city.

The city of Cartago contains the huge Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles. The church has a statue of the Black Madonna known as La Negrita. The Central Park in the city has the ruins of an older basilica