Present Day
Which countries does Costa Rica border?
Nicaragua to the north, and Panama to the south
When did Costa Rica become a soveriegn state?
1838
Approximately how many volcanoes does Costa Rica have?
200
What is the official language of Costa Rica?
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
San Jose
Why did Costa Rica leave the Federal Republic of Central America?
Because of continuous border disputes
Where are most of the volcanoes in Costa Rica?
In the center of the country, because of the tectonic plates pushing them up.
What is considered the national motto?
Pura Vida, meaning pure life
What is the approximate population of Costa Rica?
5 million
What happened in 1948?
Jose Figueres Ferrer led an armed uprising, which led to the abolishment of the military.
What percent of the country is protected?
25%
Why is Costa Rica considered more successful than other other Latin American countries?
Because of their decision to abolish the military, and instead invest in their people
What is Costa Rica's currency and exchange rate? (Half credit for each)
The Costa Rican Colon and 1 USD is equivalent to 455 colon
How is Juan Santamaria typically depicted?
Running and carrying a torch.
What are Costa Rica's two main seasons?
The wet season, and dry season.
Where did the name "Costa Rica" come from?
Christopher Columbus named it, meaning "rich coast" because he though the land was full of rich metals.
Who is the current president?
Laura Fernandez
Why was Costa Rica the poorest province in the Kingdom of Guatemala?
They did not have gold or silver, and were very far away from Guatemala City, the capital.
How are modern areas prepared for earthquakes?
They use earthquake proof engineering to make buildings less likely to collapse, and do not use natural gas pipes.
Who is Costa Rica's national hero?
Juan Santamaria