Costa Rica

¡Pura Vida! Welcome to the happiest little country in Central America, where people live by the motto "pure life" and protecting nature is a way of life! Costa Rica is like Mother Nature's favorite child, a small country that contains an incredible 5% of all the world's plant and animal species even though it's only the size of West Virginia. This amazing nation chose to spend money on education and environmental protection instead of having an army, making it one of the most peaceful and green countries on Earth!

Costa Rica gained its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821, as part of the Central American independence movement, but later became fully independent in 1838. The name "Costa Rica" means "Rich Coast" in Spanish, given by Spanish explorers who thought they would find lots of gold here. While they didn't find much gold, they discovered something even more valuable - one of the most biodiverse places on our planet!

Political map showing Costa Rica's 7 provinces. Image Credit: BrankoMarinovic99, Wikimedia Commons

Costa Rican national symbols: blue, white, and red flag (civil flag), guanacaste tree, clay-colored thrush, and colorful colón currency featuring wildlife. Image Credits (from top left to bottom right): 9BBWMJ, Wikimedia Commons; SSPortilloENG, Wikimedia Commons; Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons; Dennis S. Hurd, Flickr

COSTA RICA FACTS

INDEPENDENCE: September 15, 1821 (203 years ago)

POPULATION: About 5.2 million people

CAPITAL: San José

PROVINCES: 7 provinces

BIGGEST CITY: San José (350,000 people)

NATIONAL BIRD: Clay-colored Thrush (Yigüirro)

NATIONAL FLOWER: Purple Country Girl Orchid

Costa Rica's diverse landscapes: Arenal Volcano, Monteverde cloud forest, Manuel Antonio beaches, and Tortuguero canals. Image Credits (from top left to bottom right): Rhododendrites, Wikimedia Commons; Haakon S. Krohn, Wikimedia Commons; Mark Cowell, Wikimedia Commons; Lars0001, Wikimedia Commons

Amazing Wildlife

Costa Rica is a wildlife paradise! This tiny country is home to over 900 bird species, 250 mammal species, and countless insects and plants. You can see sloths hanging in trees, colorful poison dart frogs, quetzals with brilliant feathers, and four species of monkeys swinging through the canopy. The country's beaches are important nesting sites for sea turtles, and both Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer incredible marine life.

Costa Rica's incredible animals: three-toed sloths in trees, colorful poison dart frogs, toucans with giant beaks, and sea turtles nesting on beaches. Image Credits (from top left to bottom right): Charles J. Sharp, Wikimedia Commons; Rhododendrites, Wikemedia Commons; Jimmy Enfru, Wikimedia Commons; Taragui, Wikimedia Commons

Natural Resources

Costa Rica's greatest natural resource is its incredible biodiversity and commitment to conservation! The country generates almost all its electricity from renewable sources like hydroelectric dams, wind, and solar power. Costa Rica is also famous for growing some of the world's best coffee on volcanic slopes, and produces delicious tropical fruits like pineapples, bananas, and mangoes.

Costa Rica's sustainable wealth: hydroelectric dams generating clean energy and highland coffee plantations on volcanic slopes. Image Credits (from left to right): Equesgo16, Wikimedia Commons; Pigment-Ink, Wikimedia Commons

Costa Rica truly proves that good things come in small packages, showing the world how a tiny nation can lead the way in happiness, conservation, and sustainable living!