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Good to Know - About the Country
Costa Rica forms with its neighbour
states a natural land bridge between the North and South American
continent. Although only insignificantly more largely than Switzerland,
the small country belongs to one of the species-richest areas of our
earth: it accommodates about 5 % of all world-wide known plants and
animal species!
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The climate is affected by considerable
differences in height. Across the country, from the northwest to the southeast,
leads a mountain chain. It forms a weather sheath between the Pacific and
Caribbean coast. Up to an elevation of approx. 700 meters the average
temperature is 24 - 27°C. On the other hand, an annual average of 20°C is
measured in the Central Valley (San Josè =/ 1150 m above sea level). Above 3000
meters, the thermometer rarely reaches more than 10°C (highest mountain: Cerro
Chirripó with 3820 m). average 20°C measured. The thermometer reaches 10°C (highest
mountain elevator meters rarely starting from 3000: Cerro Chirripó with 3820 m).
On the vegetation, these climatic differences
have large influence. The Pacific and Caribbean lowlands are covered of tropical
rain forest. On the other hand, affected by some months without any rain in the
extreme northern area of Guanacaste, we can find dry forest and even savanna
with cactus. Tropical mountain rain forest exists in Costa Rica, just like
subalpine vegetation above the timber line.
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In addition to the varied flora and fauna, are, of course, the still active volcanoes the main
attraction of Costa Rica. The most famous of them is certainly the Arenal. Following a centuries-long rest period, it erupted
surprisingly in year 1968 and is still active until today. Especially at night it is more than impressive to watch the amazing nature
spectacle of its eruptions and witness how the red glowing lava flows downhill in the dark.
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Costa Rica can refer to exactly 1228 km coastline,
of which 1016 km attribute to the Pacific coast. While the Caribbean coast to the east is
virtually a line of non- divided mangrove swamps and sandy beaches, the Pacific side
devides in a variety of sandy beaches with a wide range of colors, offshore islands, estuaries and cliffs.
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While other nations constantly rearmed, Costa Rica abolished its
military forces in 1948 and used the funds saved thereby for a steady expansion of its education.
With its neutrality amidst a region ridden with crises the country gained the title "Switzerland of Central America".
A favorable result of this policy is an undeniably high quality of life, which manifests particularly in a high life
expectancy similar with Europe and a good standard of education. Since in November 1949 the democratic
constitution was adopted, the country is now the eldest democracy in Latin America. President, Vice-President
and Members of Parliament are elected every four years by direct popular vote.
The economy is currently in transition: although the traditional
export products such as bananas and coffee are still among the largest foreign exchange earners in the country,
the tourism sector is steadily on the rise. However, the government sets great importance to environmental sustainability
in this area. Many Costa Rican inhabitants are well aware of their natural resources and have at least about 25%
of their land under protection, therefore the country can come up with a large amount of national parks and private nature reserves.
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