Costa Rica and Its History

Costa Rica, or the Republic of Costa Rica for official purposes, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and Caribbean Sea to the east. Its capital is San Jose. The official language is Spanish and the second most spoken language is English. The currency is the colon.

Costa Rica, one of the most established democracies of America, has maintained a good political stability, despite the economic and social difficulties of the last two decades. Costa Rica won global recognition having been the first country to abolish the army on 1 December 1948.

Its human development index, one of the best in Latin America, puts it in fourth place behind Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

Costa Rica ranks fifth globally according to the environmental performance index of 2008.

Among Latin American countries, Costa Rica ranks first in the ranking of competitiveness index tourism, and place 44 globally.

1. Alajuela
2. Cartago
3. Guanacaste
4. Heredia
5. Limón
6. Puntarenas
7. San José (capitale)

History

Christopher Columbus arrived in the region during his last visit in 1502. Costa Rica was then ruled for nearly three centuries by the Captaincy-General of Guatemala on behalf of Spain. It was in 1821 that the country obtained its independence. After it settles the democratic regime immediately.

It was in 1843 that the economy starts with the cultivation of coffee. In 1869, education became free and compulsory. The Minister of Education of the day then fight for the democratization of the system. According to its ideals, everyone should be able to read, write and count. In 1882, the death penalty was abolished.

In 1948, the country was wracked by a civil war, due to the non-recognition of the election victory of Otilo Ulate Blanco, who will almost 1000 dead. In 1949, the army was abolished, and the country becomes one of the few states that does not have a military. This is a unique case on the continent, a symbolic act which has the merit of alleviating the budget, but the drawback to aggravate the country’s dependence vis-à-vis the United States. Of course, to ensure the country’s security in the event of war, the United States gave their word and are ready to defend Costa Rica, which is of strategic importance for the control of the Panama Canal.

Costa Rica has never known, throughout its history, one dictatorship and has never been ruled by a totalitarian regime