Chief
of State: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since
8 May 2006)
Head of Government: President
Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006)
Government Type: democratic republic
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Population:
4,075,261 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official),
English
Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%,
Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant
0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Life Expectancy: 77.02 |
Currency:
Costa Rican colon (CRC)
GDP(per capita): $11,100 (2005
est.)
Overview: Costa Rica's basically
stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and
electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially
reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social
safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors
remain attracted by the country's political stability
and high education levels, and tourism continues to
bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and
bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government
continues to grapple with its large internal and external
deficits and sizable internal debt. The reduction of
inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises
in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and
fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its
tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa
Rica is the only signatory to the US-Central American
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that has not ratified it.
CAFTA implementation would result in economic reforms
and an improved investment climate.
Exports: coffee, bananas, sugar,
pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical
equipment
Import: raw materials, consumer
goods, capital equipment, petroleum |
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Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and
the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Area: total: 51,100 sq km
land: 50,660 sq km
water: 440 sq km
note: includes Isla del Coco |
Background:
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since
the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence
have marred its democratic development. Although it
still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica
has expanded its economy to include strong technology
and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively
high. Land ownership is widespread.
Independence Day: 15 September
1821 (from Spain)
Capital City: San Jose
Administrative divisions: 7
provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela,
Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San
Jose |
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