Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History People have been living in Costa Rica for over 10,000 years. Forests covered 90% of the land. The people burned space to plant corn, fruit trees and root plants.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History The native people traded cotton, shells, dyes, artwork, and colorful bird feathers with Mexicans for gold.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History In 1502, Christopher Columbus came to Costa Rica. He saw the natives wearing golden jewelry and thought he had found gold, but there was none in Costa Rica.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History In the 1522, the Spaniard Gil González Dávila named this land Costa Rica, which means “rich coast.”

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History Spanish settlers became farmers growing wheat, bananas, and tobacco.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History In 1821, Spain granted independence to all of the Central American colonies, including Costa Rica.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History Many dictators ruled Costa Rica, until in 1889 it finally became a democratic country.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History In the 1800s, Costa Rica began growing coffee beans. Because of this new industry Costa Rica’s economy boomed and became a more populace country.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History In 1940 Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia became president. He improved the conditions for workers. He established a minimum wage, unemployment benefits, and paid vacations.

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica History Laura Chinchilla was elected president in She is the first female to become president in Costa Rica.

Regions 80 million years ago a series of volcanic islands created Costa Rica. Over 800 miles of coastline are in Costa Rica. There are also rugged mountain ranges, which include over 100 volcanoes. There are two seasons in Costa Rica: rainy and dry. Average temperatures are between 71°F and 81°F.

Regions Two mountain ranges cover Coast Rica: the Cordillera Volcánica and the Cordillera de Talamanca. Many volcanos are part of these mountain ranges. Arenal, the most active volcano, has erupted almost every day since Earthquakes are also common place.

Resources On the Pacific coast side fishing is an important industry. Tuna and shrimp are the most valuable. The coastal plains are hot and swampy and heavily forested. Here bananas, sugar cane tropical fruits, cacao and pineapples grow well. Cattle ranching is also a big industry. The province of Guanacaste is called Costa Rica’s “Wild West.” Rodeos are also popular there.

Animals Costa Rica is among the top 20 most bio-diverse nations in the world :  20 percent of the world’s butterflies  876 species of birds  34,00 species of insects  205 species of mammals  220 species of reptiles  160 species of amphibians  9,000 species of plants

Education Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in all of Central America. School is required from kindergarten to ninth grade. Only 65 percent of students finish high school. All students must learn English and take computer classes. There are 39 universities and it only costs $200 a semester to attend.

Visit Costa Roca Tourism Over half of the population works in the field of tourism. Tourist can hike in the mountains, swim on the coasts, go snorkeling, ride horses on the ranches, explore new and old cities, walk along bridges high above the tree tops of the rain/cloud forests, raft down rivers, and observe plants and animals in nature.