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History of Costa Rica
History of Costa Rica
Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica Spanish Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [re? Pu? Likaðe? Kosta? Rika]), is a republic in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-east the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country to abolish the constitution of his army. Costa Rica is among the safest countries in Latin America and the country is currently the least impoverished Spanish language in the world, with lower percentages of poverty to that of Spain and other developed countries and levels of urbanization, which affects those countries like Finland and Norway. In 2007, the Government of Costa Rica said it wants to be the first developing country to become carbon neutral by 2021.
The first European to reach what is now Costa Rica was Christopher Columbus in 1502. [4] In pre-Columbian times, indigenous people, in what is now known as Costa Rica, were part of the intermediate zone between the regions Mesoamerican and Andean culture. This has recently been updated to include the influence of the Colombian isthmo-area.
That was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American indigenous cultures met. The north-west of the country, Nicoya Peninsula, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl (named after Nitin) cultural influence when Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) came in the sixteenth century. The central and southern parts of the country had Chibcha influences. However, indigenous peoples have influenced the modern culture of Costa Rica at a relatively low level, like most of these died from diseases like smallpox and mistreatment by the Spaniards.
During the Spanish colonial period, the main town in Central America was Guatemala City. Distance from Costa Rica from the center led to difficulty in establishing trade routes and was one of the reasons that Costa Ricans developed in relative isolation and with little monitoring of the Spanish Monarchy ( "The Crown"). While this isolation allowed the colony to grow without undergoing intervention by the Crown, She has also contributed to its failure to share the prosperity of the colonies, Costa Rica, making it the poorest Spanish Colony in Central America. [6] Costa Rica has been described as "the Spanish colony poorest and most miserable in the Americas" by a Spanish governor in 1719 [7].
Another contributing factor to this poverty is the lack of indigenous peoples to use for forced labor. While many Spaniards in other colonies had tribal members to work their land, many Costa Rican settlers had to work their own land. For all these reasons, Costa Rica was largely ignored and neglected by the Crown and left to develop on its own. It is believed that the circumstances during this period led to the formation a large number of features that Costa Rica has become known for, while at the same time prepare the ground for the development of Costa Rica as a society more egalitarian than the rest of its neighbors. Costa Rica has become a democracy "rural" no mestizo or indigenous oppressed class. It was not long before Spanish settlers turned to the hills, where they found rich volcanic soils and a climate that was milder than that of the plains.
Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from Spain. After a brief moment in the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide Costa Rica became a state in the Federal Republic of Central America 1823 to 1839. In 1824 the capital was moved to San José, but due to intense rivalry with Cartago, violence briefly followed. Although the newly independent provinces formed a Federation, border disputes broke out among them, adding to the region turbulent history and conditions.
The accession of Costa Rica, the newly formed Federal Republic of Central America, now released of Spanish rule, was short-lived: in 1838, long after the Central American Federation ceased to function in practice, Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign. The distance of the city of Guatemala to the central valley of Costa Rica, where most people lived and still lives, was great. The local population had little allegiance to the government in Guatemala, in part because of the history of isolation during the colonial era. Costa Rica disinterest in participating as a province, a government most of Central America was one of the determining factors in the collapse of the fledgling federation into independent states, which still exist today. However, all Central American nations still celebrate September 15th day of their independence, respect for the independence of America central Spain.
Most Afro-Costa Ricans, who represent about 3% of the population, are descendants of Jamaican immigrants who arrived in the 1880s to work in the construction of railways connecting the urban populations of the central plateau to the port of Limon on the Caribbean coast. Convicts U.S. and Chinese immigrants also participated in the construction project, led by U.S. businessman Minor C. Keith. In exchange for the completion railroad, the Costa Rican government granted large tracts of land lease and Keith on the train route, which he used to produce bananas and export them the United States. Accordingly, bananas came to rival coffee as the main export of Costa Rica, while companies with foreign capital (including the United Fruit Company) began to take an important role in the national economy.
Historically, Costa Rica has generally greater peace and more consistent political stability compared with many of its sister nations of Latin America. Since the late nineteenth century, however, Costa Rica has experienced two major periods of violence. In 1917-19, Federico Tinoco Granados ruled as a dictator until his overthrow and forced exile. Encore once, in 1948, José Figueres Ferrer led an armed uprising in the wake of a disputed presidential election. With more than 2,000 dead, resulting in 44 days in Costa Rica Civil War was the bloodiest event in Costa Rican history during the twentieth century. Then, the new junta government victorious, led by the opposition, abolished the military and oversaw the drafting of a new constitution by an assembly democratically elected. The adoption of these reforms, the regime finally relinquished its power in November 8, 1949 the new democratic government. After the coup State, Figueres became a national hero, winning the first democratic election in the country under the new Constitution in 1953. Since then, Costa Rica has held 12 presidential elections, the last being in 2006. All have been widely accepted by the international community as transitions peaceful, transparent, and relatively stable.
Geography
Costa Rica is located on the Central American isthmus, 10 ° north the equator and 84 ° west of Meridian. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea (east) and the Pacific North Ocean (west), with a total of 1290 km (802 mi) of coastline (212 km / 132 km on the Caribbean coast and 1.016 kilometers / 631 km on the Pacific). It is the size of West Virginia and shares the reputation of the state to kayak whitewater excellent / rafting opportunities.
On the Savegre River, just below San Gerardo de Dota in the Talamanca Highlands of Costa Rica.
Two of the most famous rivers of the country in this regard are Rio Pacuare and the Rio Reventazon located near the town of Turrialba, about two hours east of San Jose. Other areas of notable whitewater areas are the de Sarapiqui Valley, several Pacific coast rivers near Quepos, and the southern Pacific drainage area around San Isidro General.
Costa Rica Nicaragua also borders the north (309 km / 192 km border) and Panama to the south-southeast (639 km / 397 km border). In total, Costa Rica has 51,100 kilometers square (19.730 square miles), plus 589,000 kilometers square waters.
The country's highest point is Cerro Chirripo to 3,810 meters (12,500 feet), and is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazu volcano (3431 m / 11,257 ft). The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.
Costa Rica also comprises several islands. Cocos Island is distinguished by its distance from continental landmass (24 km ² / 9.25 sq km, 500 km or 300 mi from Puntarenas coast), but Calero Island is the largest island in the country (151.6 km ² / 58.5 square miles).
Costa Rica protects 23% of its national territory within the protected area system. It also has the greatest density of species in the world
Politics
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with a strong constitution. Although some say the country has had more than 115 years of uninterrupted democracy, their presidential election history shows otherwise (see List of Presidents of Costa Rica). Nevertheless, the country has had at least fifty-nine years of democracy uninterrupted, making it one of the most stable countries in the region. Costa Rica has been able to successfully prevent the widespread violence prevailing in most of Central America.
Executive responsibilities are vested in a President who is the center of the country's power. There also two vice-presidents and a cabinet appointed by the president. The President, the Vice-Presidents, fifty-seven delegates of the Assembly Legislature are elected for a term of four years. A constitutional amendment approved in 1969 the presidents and delegates to a limited term, even if delegates were allowed to run for a parliamentary seat after sitting on an end.
In April 2003, the constitutional ban on presidential re-election was reversed, allowing Óscar Arias (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, 1987) for a term of president for a second term. In 2006, Óscar Arias was re-elected in a tight and highly contested election, running on a platform of promoting free trade. He took office May 8, 2006. Autonomous state agencies enjoy operational independence considerable, they include the telecommunications and electricity monopoly, the nationalized commercial banks, insurance state monopoly and the social security agency. Costa Rica has no military by constitution but maintains domestic police forces for homeland security. These include the Guardia Civil and the Guardia Rural.
Other current political issues, including security, crime, and the limitation of large-scale immigration of people of Nicaragua.
Provinces and cantons
Costa Rica is composed of seven provinces, which are in turn divided into 81 cantons ( "District" in Spanish, plural "Canton"), each headed by a mayor. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by people from each township. There are no provincial legislatures.
1. Alajuela
2. Cartago
3. Guanacaste
4. Heredia
5. Limón
6. Puntarenas
7. San Jose
Economy
Costa Rica is a tourist destination largest in the world and is one of the main driving forces of the Costa Rican economy. With a 1.9 billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica stands as the most visited country in the region of Central America, with 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007, reaching a rate foreign tourists per capita is 0.46, among the highest in the Caribbean basin. Most tourists come from the United States (54%) and EU (14%), resulting in relatively high expenditure per tourist of $ 1000 per trip. In 2005, tourism contributed with 8.1% of GNP of the country and represented 13.3% of direct and indirect jobs. Although there is a general slowdown of the global economy is not slowing down in Costa Rica. The following information coming out of the ministry of tourism.
Tourism in Costa Rica remains
strong despite the economic slowdown of the U.S.
"The tourism growth has continued to be strong in January 2008, despite fears that the economic slowdown in the United States could put a damper on this year.
Measured by traffic at the Juan Santamaría and Daniel Oduber Quirós international airports, tourism was up 13.7% compared to January 2007.
In raw numbers, or 145,145 tourists who arrived last month in these airports, a figure Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides described as "down on the right foot." Visitors to Costa Rica in 2007 increased by 11.5% on figures for the previous year. "
Ecotourism is extremely popular with many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas of the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is recognized as one of the few real ecotourism. In terms of Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica in 2007 reached the 41st place in world ranking, being the first among Latin American countries. Just considering the subindex measuring human resources, cultural and natural, Costa Rica ranks in 20th place worldwide.
Costa Rica is a tourist destination, it also becomes one of the real estate market the hottest in the real world for a number of reasons. Many Americans find it more comfortable to travel to Costa Rica to spend their time and money. Costa Rica is one of the safest places in the world and has one of the most stable economies in the world. They have no standing army, which was dissolved in 1948, so you can have no dictator came to power and the use of armed forces his hold on power as is the case in many other dictatorships.
Further, the dollar weakened against the euro if the country of Travel Europe has become extremely expensive. However, Costa Rica, the dollar still goes a long way. I just returned from a trip to the coast and was able to find a room in a rustic motel for $ 15.00 per night. Thus, the number of millions of tourists who come to Costa Rica are buying condos or building houses for holiday homes. This Costa Rica is the source for the hottest housing market in the world according to a recent news segment MSNBC. Billions of dollars are flowing into the real country and will cause another boom in all other related businesses, construction, hotels, malls, restaurants, office buildings, supermarkets, telecommunications and many other small businesses who are required to serve communities growth.
Business Community
The central government offers tax exemptions for those willing to invest in the country. Several high-tech Global companies have already started developing the area exporting goods including chip maker Intel, a company Pharmaceutical GlaxoSmithKline, and consumer products Procter & Gamble. Trade with South East Asia and Russia has boomed during 2004 and 2005, and the country is expected to obtain full Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) membership by 2007 (the country became an observer in 2004).
For 2005, the country showed a government deficit of 2.1%, domestic revenues increased by 18%, and exports have increased 12.8%. Revised economic figures released by the Central Bank indicate that economic growth was 5%, however the country faces high inflation (14%) and a trade deficit of 5.2%.
In recent times electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial development outsourcing, software, and ecotourism have become the industry choice in the economy of Costa Rica. High levels education among its residents make the country an attractive place to invest.
The currency is the colon (CRC), trading around 503 to the U.S. dollar, currently about 756 to the euro. On October 16, 2006, a new exchange rate system was introduced, allowing the value of the CRC Colón to float between two bands as previously by Chile. The idea is that by doing so, the central bank will be able to better fight against inflation and discourage the use of U.S. dollars. Since that time, the value of the colon against the dollar has stabilized.
Costa Location Rica offers easy access to American markets as it has the same time zone as the central part of the United States and direct ocean access Europe and Asia. A country-wide referendum aa approved free trade agreement with the United States.
Business Foreign
Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States. The Inter-American Court Human Rights and United Nations University for Peace is based in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican State is also a member of many other international organizations related to human rights and democracy.
Costa Rica, the main objective of foreign policy is to promote human rights and sustainable development as a means of ensuring stability and growth.
Costa Rica is also a member of the ICC International, without a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the U.S. military (covered by Article 98).
On 1 June 2007, Costa Rica severed relations with the Republic of China on Taiwan, the transition to the People's Republic of China in mainland China.
Flora and fauna
Costa Rica home to a rich variety of plants and animals. While the country has only about 0.1% of the landmass of the planet, it contains 5% biodiversity of the planet. About 23% of Costa Rica is composed of protected forests and reserves.
A national park is internationally renowned among ecologists for its biodiversity (including big cats and tapirs) and where visitors can expect to see an abundance of wildlife is the Corcovado National Park. [26] [27]
The Clay-colored Robin is the national bird of Costa Rica.
Tortuguero National Park – the name Tortuguero can be translated as "Full of turtles" – is home to spider, howler and white-throated Capuchin monkeys, the three-toed sloths, 320 species of birds (including eight species of parrots), a variety of reptiles, but is best known for the annual nesting of the endangered green turtle and is considered the most important nesting site for this species. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to about 2,000 species of plants [28], including many orchids. Over four hundred species of birds can be found here, and over a hundred species of mammals. [29] Overall, about eight hundred species of birds have been identified Costa Rica. The Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBIO) is authorized to collect royalties on the biological discoveries of medical interest.
Demographics
According to the CIA World Factbook, Costa Rica has a population of 4,133,884 of which 94% are mestizos or whites, 3% black, 1% Native American, 1% Chinese and 1% other. The exact amount, however, is not known since the last census of Costa Rica combines mestizos and whites in one category. The population White is mainly of Spanish ancestry with a large number of Costa Ricans of Italian, German ancestry, Jewish and Polish. Unlike neighboring countries' populations, less mixing of Spanish colonists and indigenous people took place. Therefore, a large majority of Costa Ricans are either Spanish or mestizo heritage mixed
Just under 3% of the population is of black African origin. The majority of Costa Ricans are Creole Afro-descendants of English nineteenth century black Jamaican immigrant workers, as well as slaves who were brought during the slave trade Atlantic.
The indigenous Amerindian population, or about 1%, more than 41,000 individuals. In Guanacaste Province a significant portion of the population descends from a bi-racial mix of local Indians and Spaniards. There is also an expatriate community of people of all ages from the United States, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Great Britain and other countries, particularly in the Central Valley town of Escazú.
Costa Rica hosts many refugees, mainly from Colombia and Nicaragua. Accordingly, it is estimated that 10% to 15% of the population of Costa Rica is composed of Nicaraguans, most of which migrate opportunities for seasonal work and then return to their country. There is also a growing number of Peruvian refugees. In addition, Costa Rica has had many refugees from a number of other Latin American countries fleeing civil wars and dictatorships in the 1970s and 80s – notably from Chile and Argentina, as well as those in El Salvador who fled the guerrillas and death squads of the government.
Religion
Christianity is the predominant religion in Costa Rica, and Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the State as guaranteed by the Constitution of 1949. Some 92% of Costa Ricans are Christians, and like many other parts of Latin America, Protestant denominations have grown rapidly. However, three in four Costa Ricans adhere to Roman Catholicism.
Because of recent immigration, but still small communities from Asia, the Middle East, and other places, other religions have developed, the most popular being Buddhism (due to a Chinese community of more than 40,000) and smaller numbers of Jewish, Baha'i and Hindu followers.
There is a Jewish synagogue, the Congregation Bnai Israel in San Jose, near the Metropolitan Park La Sabana. Several houses in the neighborhood of La Sabana Metropolitan Park are festooned with the Star of David and other recognizable Jewish symbols [35].
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has seen modest growth in Costa Rica over the past 40 years and has built one of only two temples in Central America in San Antonio de Belen region of Heredia.
Language
The only official language is Spanish. It are two main accents native to Costa Rica, the standard of Costa Rica and Nicoyan. Emphasis Nicoyan is very similar to the accent type Nicaragua due in part to its proximity. A notable difference pronunciation of Costa Rica includes a soft initial and double [r] phoneme that is not trill, as is normal in the Spanish-speaking world ..
Jamaican immigrants in the 19th century brought with them a dialect of English that evolved in the Creole dialect Mekatelyu.
Weddings
Because Roman Catholicism is the official state religion, but only religious marriages are legally recognized by the government. Any person wishing to marry outside the Catholic church must hire a lawyer who has and then register their civil wedding for them. Legal age for ARRIAGE Costa Rica is 18 years old, the age of consent is 15.
Costa Ricans often refer to themselves as Tico (male) or tica (feminine). "Tico" comes from the popular local usage of "tico" and "tica" as diminutive suffixes (eg "momentico" instead of "momentito"). The expression "Pura Vida" (literally "Pure Life") is a ubiquitous motto in Costa Rica. Some use Mae Young, a contraction of "maje" (Mae means "guy / dude") to refer to each other, even if it could be perceived as an insult to those of the former generation Maje was synonymous with "Tonto" (stupid).
Costa Rica has a checkered history. Costa Rica was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met. The north-west of the country, Nicoya Peninsula, was the southernmost point of Nahuatl cultural influence when the Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) came in the sixteenth century. The central and southern parts of the country had Chibcha influences.
The Atlantic coast, meanwhile, was populated with African workers during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Most Afro Costa Ricans, however, workers will nineteenth century, Jamaica, brought in to work on the construction of railroads between the urban populations of the Central Plateau and the port of Limon on the Caribbean coast. Italian and Chinese immigrants also arrived at that time to work on the construction of the railway.
Music
Costa Rica, popular music Genres include: an indigenous calypso scene which is distinct from the more widely-known Trinidadian calypso sound audience that supports boxes at night in cities like San Jose. American and British rock and roll and pop are popular and common among youth (especially urban youth) while Genres dance-oriented as soca, salsa, merengue, cumbia and Tex-Mex have an appeal as well. Many dances and music of Costa Rica illustrates an African, Pre-Columbian, and Spanish influence. The guitar is a popular instrument, especially as an accompaniment to folk dances.
The literacy rate in Costa Rica is 96% (CIA World Factbook, February 2007), one of the highest in Latin America. Primary and secondary schools are found throughout the country virtually every community. Universal public education is guaranteed by the Constitution. Primary education is compulsory, and the two age Preschool and school are free. There are both state and private universities.
Over there are only a few schools in Costa Rica that go beyond the 12th year. Schools ending in the 11th year of receiving a Costa Rican Bachillerato Diploma accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education.
Victor Vendetti
http://supermousedv.com/LasOlas/LasOlasEmailtube.html
About the Author
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Keemat(1973)Maaf Karo toh Kaiseh Karo?(Climax of Keemat)
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