# Costa Rica

> country in Central America

**Wikidata**: [Q800](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q800)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/costa-rica

## Summary

Costa Rica is a sovereign state and country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the northwest and Panama to the southeast, with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. It gained independence in 1821 and is renowned for its constitutional abolition of the military in 1948, redirecting funds to education and healthcare, and for its extensive environmental conservation efforts with approximately 25% of its territory under protection. The country has a population of approximately 5.27 million people as of 2024, with San José as its capital and official language Spanish.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Costa Rica (República de Costa Rica)
- **Capital:** San José
- **Independence:** 1821
- **Area:** 51,179.92 km²
- **Population (2024 estimate):** 5,265,575
- **Coordinates:** Latitude 10°N, Longitude -84°W
- **Highest Point:** Cerro Chirripó (3,820 meters)
- **Lowest Point:** Caribbean Sea (sea level)
- **Official Language:** Spanish
- **Currency:** Costa Rican colón (since 1896)
- **VAT Rate:** 13%
- **Time Zone:** UTC-06:00 (America/Costa_Rica)
- **Driving Side:** Right
- **Electrical Voltage:** 120V, 60Hz (NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plugs)
- **Telephone Country Code:** +506
- **Internet TLD:** .cr
- **License Plate Code:** CR (since 1956)
- **Emergency Numbers:** 911, 112 (for police, fire, medical)
- **ISO Codes:** CR (alpha-2), CRI (alpha-3), 188 (numeric)
- **VIAF ID:** 126073638
- **GND ID:** 4010618-4
- **ISNI:** 000000012248346X
- **Geonames ID:** 3624060

## FAQs

**What are the seven provinces of Costa Rica?**
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: Alajuela Province, Cartago Province, Guanacaste Province, Heredia Province, Limón Province, Puntarenas Province, and San José Province.

**What indigenous languages are spoken in Costa Rica?**
Besides Spanish as the official language, Costa Rica recognizes several indigenous languages including Boruca, Guaymí, Maléku, Cabécar, Bribri, and Costa Rican Sign Language.

**What is Costa Rica's membership in international organizations?**
Costa Rica is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), World Trade Organization, World Bank (since 1946), International Development Association (since 1961), International Finance Corporation (since 1956), Interpol (founder member since 1954), UNESCO (since 1950), Organization of American States (since 1948), World Meteorological Organization (since 1960), World Health Organization, OECD (since May 2021), and the Central American Common Market (since 1962).

**What is the economic profile of Costa Rica?**
Costa Rica's nominal GDP was $68.38 billion in 2022, with a Gini coefficient of 49.3 in 2020. The unemployment rate was 8% in 2014. The country joined the OECD in 2021 and was added to the EU tax haven blacklist in February 2023.

**What are the demographic statistics of Costa Rica?**
The literacy rate is 97.41% (2011). Life expectancy is 77 years (2022). The birth rate declined from 12.847 (2019) to 11.686 (2022), while death rate increased from 5.468 (2019) to 7.113 (2022). Total fertility rate dropped from 2.463 (1999) to 1.819 (2014).

**What is Costa Rica's human development ranking?**
The Human Development Index for 2021 is 0.809, placing Costa Rica in the high human development category. The Inequality-Adjusted HDI for 2021 is 0.664.

**Who are the recent presidents of Costa Rica?**
Rodrigo Chaves has been president since May 8, 2022. His predecessor was Carlos Alvarado Quesada (2018-2022), followed by Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018), Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014), and Óscar Arias Sánchez (2006-2010).

**What is the national anthem and motto of Costa Rica?**
The national anthem is "Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera." The official motto is "Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz" (May work and peace always live). The tourism slogan is "Essential Costa Rica."

## Why It Matters

Costa Rica holds significant global importance for several reasons. First, it represents one of the oldest continuous democracies in Latin America, having maintained democratic governance since 1948 when it abolished its military and redirected military spending to education and healthcare. This political stability has made it a model for the region and a destination for regional refugees during conflicts in neighboring countries.

Second, Costa Rica is a global leader in environmental conservation and sustainability. Approximately 25% of the country's territory is protected through national parks and reserves, making it one of the most biodiverse nations on Earth relative to its size. The country has committed to becoming carbon-neutral and is a pioneer in eco-tourism, generating significant economic activity while maintaining environmental stewardship.

Third, Costa Rica's education and healthcare systems, funded by the resources that would have gone to military spending, have produced exceptional social outcomes. The country boasts a literacy rate of 97.41% and a life expectancy of 77 years, metrics that rival developed nations despite its status as a middle-income country. This "Costa Rican model" has been studied worldwide as an example of successful social investment.

Finally, Costa Rica plays a strategic role in Central American geopolitics and economics. As a member of the Central American Common Market and the OECD (joined in 2021), it serves as an economic hub for the region. Its diplomatic relations with major powers including the United States, China, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico further underscore its regional influence.

## Notable For

- **No Military:** Costa Rica abolished its military in 1948, making it one of the few countries without armed forces; funds were redirected to education and healthcare
- **High Biodiversity:** Home to approximately 5% of the world's species despite covering only 0.03% of the Earth's surface
- **Pioneering Conservation:** Approximately 25% of territory protected through national parks and reserves
- **Longest-Running Democracy:** Has maintained continuous democratic governance since the late 1940s
- **High Literacy Rate:** 97.41% literacy, among the highest in Latin America
- **Carbon Neutrality Goals:** Committed to becoming one of the first carbon-neutral nations
- **Eco-Tourism Leader:** Pioneer in sustainable tourism practices
- **OECD Membership:** Joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in May 2021
- **Pura Vida Culture:** Known globally for the "pura vida" (pure life) philosophy and friendly culture
- **Stable Democracy:** Has not experienced a military coup or major internal conflict since 1948

## Body

### Geography and Physical Features

Costa Rica occupies a strategic position in Central America, spanning both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The country's geographic coordinates are latitude 10°N and longitude -84°W. The northernmost point reaches 11.22°N latitude at -85.62°W longitude, while the southernmost point extends to 5.49897°S latitude at -87.07371°W longitude. The country's westernmost point is on Coco Island at coordinates 5.528°N, -87.061°W, while the easternmost point is at 5.51879°N, -87.09442°W.

The total land area measures 51,179.92 square kilometers, making it one of the smaller Central American nations. The highest point is Cerro Chirripó at 3,820 meters above sea level, located at coordinates 9.484166667°N, -83.488611111°W. The lowest point is sea level at the Caribbean Sea. The country shares land borders with Nicaragua to the northwest and Panama to the southeast, with the Costa Rica-Panama border located to the southeast and the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border to the northwest.

The country features diverse topography including coastal plains, mountain ranges, and volcanic peaks. It is located in a seismically active zone with numerous volcanoes, several of which are active. The territory includes both continental and insular areas, with Coco Island (Isla del Coco) located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 500 kilometers from the mainland.

### Administrative Structure

Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces, each with its own administrative capital: Alajuela Province (Alajuela), Cartago Province (Cartago), Guanacaste Province (Liberia), Heredia Province (Heredia), Limón Province (Limón), Puntarenas Province (Puntarenas), and San José Province (San José). These provinces are further divided into cantons and districts.

The capital city San José serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. It is the most populous urban area and houses the primary government institutions, international embassies, and commercial headquarters.

### Population and Demographics

As of 2024, Costa Rica's population is estimated at 5,265,575 people. The 2022 census recorded a population of 5,044,197. Historical population data shows significant growth from 800,875 in 1950 to over 5 million today, with the population exceeding 4 million by the early 2000s.

The population is predominantly urban, with urban population reaching 4,250,456 in 2022 compared to rural population of 930,373. Gender distribution is nearly equal, with 2,590,709 males and 2,590,119 females as of 2022.

Natural increase rates show a declining trend: birth rate dropped from 12.847 per 1,000 (2019) to 11.686 per 1,000 (2022), while death rate increased from 5.468 (2019) to 7.113 (2022). The total fertility rate has fallen dramatically from 2.463 (1999) to 1.819 (2014), below replacement level.

Life expectancy has remained stable at approximately 77-79 years in recent years, with 2021 and 2022 both recording 77 years. The suicide rate has remained relatively constant at approximately 7.9 per 100,000 since 2000, with the preferred value being 7.9 for 2019.

### Economy and Trade

Costa Rica has a mixed economy with strong sectors in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Nominal GDP reached $68.38 billion in 2022, up from $64.62 billion in 2021. The Gini coefficient was 49.3 in 2020, indicating moderate income inequality. The unemployment rate was 8% in 2014.

The currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC), which has been the official currency since 1896, replacing the Costa Rican peso (1850-1896). The country operates under a VAT system with a standard rate of 13%.

Costa Rica's economy benefits from several free trade zones and has attracted significant foreign direct investment, particularly in technology and manufacturing. The country is a member of the Central American Common Market, facilitating regional trade. In May 2021, Costa Rica became the 38th member of the OECD, reflecting its status as a developed economy.

The country was added to the EU tax haven blacklist in February 2023, a designation that has implications for financial transactions and tax planning.

### Governance and Politics

Costa Rica is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The president serves as both head of state and head of government. Rodrigo Chaves has been president since May 8, 2022, succeeding Carlos Alvarado Quesada (2018-2022). Previous presidents include Luis Guillermo Solís (2014-2018), Laura Chinchilla (2010-2014), and Óscar Arias Sánchez (2006-2010).

The legislative body is the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, a unicameral parliament. The country maintains a stable democratic system and has not experienced a military coup since the civil war of 1948, when the military was abolished and the funds redirected to education, health, and security.

The country operates under the 1949 constitution, which established a democratic framework with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The judicial system includes the Supreme Court and lower courts.

### International Relations and Memberships

Costa Rica maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries including Brazil, Germany, Chile, Uruguay, Taiwan, Mexico, United States, Russia, Georgia, Denmark, North Korea, the People's Republic of China, Hungary, and Kosovo. Relations with North Korea began on February 10, 1974, while diplomatic ties with Georgia were established on May 5, 1998.

The country is a member of major international organizations:
- United Nations (since November 2, 1945)
- World Trade Organization
- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (since January 8, 1946)
- International Development Association (since June 30, 1961)
- International Finance Corporation (since July 20, 1956)
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (since February 8, 1994)
- International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (since May 27, 1993)
- Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean
- Central American Bank for Economic Integration
- Central American Common Market (since July 1, 1962)
- Interpol (founder member since October 14, 1954)
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (since April 29, 1997)
- UNESCO (since May 19, 1950)
- Group on Earth Observations
- Universal Postal Union (since January 1, 1883)
- International Telecommunication Union (since September 13, 1932)
- Organization of American States (since 1948)
- World Meteorological Organization (since December 16, 1960)
- World Health Organization
- International Regional Organization for Agricultural Health
- World Customs Organization (since August 29, 2001)
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (since May 2021)
- Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

### Social Development

Costa Rica has achieved remarkable social development indicators. The literacy rate stands at 97.41% as of 2011, one of the highest in Latin America. Education is free and compulsory through age 17.

The Human Development Index (HDI) for 2021 is 0.809, placing Costa Rica in the high human development category. The Inequality-Adjusted HDI (IHDI) for 2021 is 0.664, reflecting the country's efforts to reduce inequality. The Happy Planet Index score was 62.1 in 2019.

The democracy index recorded 8.16 in 2020. The BTI Governance Index was 7.13 in 2022, showing strong governance standards. The BTI Status Index was 8.37 in 2022.

Marriageable age is 18 years for all genders. The country has implemented various social programs targeting poverty reduction and healthcare access.

### Culture and Identity

The national anthem is "Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera" (Noble homeland, your beautiful flag). The official motto is "Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz" (May work and peace always live). The tourism slogan is "Essential Costa Rica."

The demonym for Costa Rican citizens is "Costarican" or "Costa Rican" in English, with numerous variations across languages including costaricaner (German), Costaricien (French), costaricano (Spanish), and many others in languages from Arabic to Vietnamese.

The patron saint is the Virgin of the Angels (Virgen de los Ángeles), who is venerated in the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles in Cartago.

Costa Rican culture is known for the phrase "pura vida" (pure life), which encapsulates a philosophy of enjoying life simply and positively. The culture blends Spanish colonial influences with indigenous traditions and Caribbean influences in the Limón province.

### Infrastructure and Standards

The country uses right-hand traffic. Electrical infrastructure operates at 120 volts and 60 hertz, using NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types standard in North America.

The main voltage is 120V with frequency of 60Hz. Mobile country code is 712. The ITU letter code is CTR.

The country participates in the Unicode standard with flag emoji 🇨🇷 and the ISO 3166-1 numeric code 188.

### Historical Context

Costa Rica gained independence from Spain in 1821 as part of the independence of the United Provinces of Central America. The country has a rich history dating back to indigenous civilizations including the Chorotega, Nicarao, and Huetar peoples.

The 1948 civil war was a pivotal moment, resulting in the abolition of the military and the establishment of the current democratic system. The 1949 constitution that emerged from this period established the foundations of modern Costa Rican democracy.

The country has maintained continuous democratic governance since 1948, making it one of the most stable democracies in Latin America.

### Environmental Leadership

Costa Rica is globally recognized for its environmental conservation efforts. Approximately 25% of the country's territory is protected through national parks, biological reserves, and wildlife refuges. The country is home to approximately 5% of the world's biodiversity despite its small size.

Costa Rica has committed to achieving carbon neutrality and is a pioneer in payments for ecosystem services programs. The country has successfully reversed deforestation trends and invests heavily in renewable energy, with hydroelectric, wind, and geothermal sources contributing significantly to the energy mix.

Eco-tourism is a major economic driver, with visitors drawn to the country's rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, and wildlife. The country has developed infrastructure for sustainable tourism that balances economic development with environmental protection.

### Education and Research

The country has invested heavily in education since abolishing the military in 1948. The 97.41% literacy rate is among the highest in Latin America. Public education is free and compulsory through secondary school.

Costa Rica has several public and private universities, with the University of Costa Rica being the largest and most prestigious. The country participates in international research collaborations, particularly in environmental and biodiversity studies.

### Healthcare System

Costa Rica has a universal healthcare system administered through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). The system provides coverage to all citizens and legal residents, funded through payroll contributions and government subsidies.

Life expectancy of approximately 77 years reflects the effectiveness of the healthcare system. The country has achieved significant progress in reducing infant mortality and controlling infectious diseases.

### Regional Position

Costa Rica is part of Latin America and Central America geographically. It is located in Hispanic America and is a member of various regional integration bodies including the Central American Common Market and the Organization of American States.

The country's strategic position between North and South America, with access to both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, has influenced its economic development and international relations. The country serves as a transit point and hub for regional trade.

The capital San José is the most populous urban area and serves as the primary center for government, commerce, and culture. The metropolitan area is home to approximately one-third of the country's population.

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38. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
39. 1864 Costa Rican census
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