Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years - one of the highest in the world.There are 801 miles of coastline in Costa Rica; learn more about the Pacific and Caribbean beaches.Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active. Poas Volcano has the second widest crater in the world (nearly one mile in diameter), and Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.Chirripo Mountain is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,500 feet. The country's lowest point is 790 feet below sea level in the caves of Barra Honda National Park.Irazu is the tallest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,259 feet.Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass only takes up .03% of the planet's surface. Learn more about Costa Rica's wildlife. There are more than:• 130 species of freshwater fish
• 160 species of amphibians
• 208 species of mammals
• 220 species of reptiles
• 850 species of birds
• 1,000 species of butterflies
• 1,200 varieties of orchids
• 9,000 species of plants
• 34,000 species of insects
• AND still counting as new species are discovered every day
More than 25% of Costa Rica’s land is dedicated to national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges. There are more than 100 different protected areas to visit.A soda is a small, informal restaurant that serves traditional meals like chicken, rice, beans and salad for $2- $3 a plate.A pulperia is a neighborhood store that sells essential foodstuffs like canned goods, eggs, milk, bread and some produce.For most of Costa Rica, the dry season runs from December through April. During these months, the Pacific Coast and most of the Central Valley receive little rain, or the odd afternoon shower. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season, when days are marked by sunny mornings and late afternoon thunderstorms. The Caribbean Coast and Northern Region (Monteverde, Arenal and Sarapiqui areas) are exceptions to this rule, and have no distinct dry season. The Tempisque River Bridge (known locally as La Puente de Amistad) that connects the mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula was a gift from Taiwan.Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are bilingual. English, due to its status as the international language of tourists, is the most common second language in Costa Rica.About the flagFive horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band.
Symbolism
Each color in the Costa Rican Flag represents important Costa Rican ideals. Blue represents the sky, opportunities within reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance, infinity, eternity, religious ideals and spiritual desires. White symbolizes clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and natural beauty, as well as peace and Costa Rican initiative. Red expresses the warmth of the Costa Rican people, their love of life, and blood spilled during the fight for freedom.
The National Shield displays three volcanoes and a valley between two oceans, each one with a merchant ship; these represent the nation’s three mountain ranges, the Central Valley, the country’s two coasts, and the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. A sun rises over the horizon, representing Costa Rica’s prosperity, and seven stars dot the blue sky – one for each of the country’s provinces. At top, a blue ribbon states “America Central,” while a white banner below reads “Republica de Costa Rica.” Two myrtle branches sit atop the banner; these symbolize Costa Rica’s peaceful nature. The shield is enclosed on both sides by small, golden circles that represent coffee, also known as “golden beans."
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Joan Walsh
Salon.com
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