Costa Rica the Switzerland of Central America and a Kaleidoscope of Culture.
Costa Rica is one of the most consolidated democracies of the Americas. It is the only country in Latin America to be included in the list of the 22 oldest democracies of the World; San José is the capital as well as the economic and political center of the country. The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish.
Throughout the recent past, Costa Rica has been characterized as the first nation in the world to formally abolish military forces, a milestone that occurred on December 1st, 1948 when the President of the country General Figueres, dissolved the armed forces.
As the result of its geographical location as an isthmus between the north and south hemispheres, the country is a biological bridge for the flora and fauna of the region. As a result there is an abundance of natural biodiversity and the country is a unique destination for visitors as they explore Costa Rica from north to south or coast to coast and discover its myriad of destinations, cultures, micro-climates and the hospitality of the Costa Rican people.
Costa Rica ranks third best in the World in the 2009 classification of the Environmental Performance Index; and among the nations of Latin America, Costa Rica ranks first in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index while also ranking 42nd in the World in that same index. The country’s Human Development Index is the sixth best in all of Latin America.
A good part of the economy of Costa Rica is based on agriculture and this has resulted in a society that has deep ties to the land. We are known as ‘Ticos’ due to the penchant of the locals in the use of the diminutive form of ‘tico’ in many nouns. In addition, the great diversity of folkloric heritage fosters a kaleidoscope of cultural manifestations.
