Vital Statistics of Costa Rica

A democratic republic since 1821, Costa Rica also abolished its military forces in 1948. Its reputation for being one of the most stable and prosperous nations in the region, plus the friendliness of its people, natural beauty and benign climate make it a magnet for around one-and-a-half-million international tourists each year. Many decide to take the next step, with non-residents legally able to invest in Costa Rica, and an increasing number are purchasing a tropical retirement or second home.

Area: 19,730 sq. mi. (51,100 sq. km.) Slightly smaller than W. Virginia, or slightly bigger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined.

Borders: Nicaragua and Panama, Pacific coast, Caribbean coast.

Coastline: 801.5 miles (1,290 km)

Provincial divisions:Seven – Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarentas, San José.

Climate: Tropical/sub-tropical (Pacific/Central Valley dry season: December – April; rainy season: May – November; Caribbean driest months: September-October).

Time difference: UTC minus 6 hours.

Population: (July, 2006): 4,075,261.

Capital: San José; population in Metropolitan district: 1,527,300; elevation: 2,950-34,260 ft. (900-1,300 m).

Language: Spanish, English, Caribbean Creole English.

Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Protestant, around 15.7%, others 4.8%.

Ethnicity: Unlike most of its neighbor countries, Costa Ricans are of mostly European descent, plus 3% Jamaican descent in the Caribbean, 1% indigenous groups, and between 10-15% Nicaraguan immigrants.

Literacy rate: 96%.

Internet users: 1 million (2005).

Main economy: depends on tourism, agriculture (bananas, coffee, pineapples, sugar, rice), electronic component exports (microprocessors).

Main export partner: US 42.6%.

Currency: Costa Rica colon (CRC), currently about ¢590 = US$1 as of September 2009
Airports / airstrips: 157, of which 2 are international (San José and Liberia) 

Tourists: Approximately 1,500,000 in 2005. Upwards of 20,000 American citizens reside in Costa Rica, and over 600,000 North Americans visit annually as tourists.

Legal system: based on the Spanish and French civil law system.