Politics
Christopher Columbus arrived on the eastern coast of Costa Rica during his fourth voyage on September 18, 1502. However it wasn’t until 1561 that this country colonized Costa Rica.
Spain
True or False: Costa Rica is the only country in Central America without a military.
True.
Costa Rica is the only country in Central America without a standing military. In 1949, following a civil war, Costa Rica abolished its army, becoming one of the first nations to do so.
What is the howler monkey.
This country shares a border with Costa Rica to the south
What is Panama
Religion plays an important role in Costa Rica’s culture, with approximately 76 percent of Costa Ricans identifying as ________.
What are the three branches of government in Costa Rica?
1. Legislative
2. Executive
3. Judicial
In which month does Costa Rica celebrate Military Abolition Day?
What is December.
Costa Ricans celebrate Military Abolition Day on December 1st. The military was abolished in 1948 by President José Figueres Ferrer.
What is the name of the large sea turtle species that nests on Costa Rica’s beaches and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds?
What is the Leatherback Sea Turtle.
This is the largest lake in Costa Rica, situated at the base of a volcano.
What is Lake Arenal
This traditional Costa Rican dish, often eaten for breakfast, combines rice and black beans.
What is Gallo Pinto
True or False: Costa Rica has elected a female president
True.
Laura Chinchilla Miranda. She served as president from 2010 to 2014, becoming the first woman to hold the office in Costa Rica.
As of December 2024, approximately 87 countries have been led by a woman as head of state or government at some point in their history.
What international body did Costa Rica join in 1945, reinforcing its commitment to peace?
What is The United Nations.
What is that sloths move slowly because their diet of leaves provides them with little energy.
How many active volcanoes are in Costa Rica?
Five.
Poás volcano, Irazú volcano, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, Arenal Volcano
This traditional Costa Rican instrument, made from wood with resonators, is central to the country’s folk music and was designated the national instrument in 1996.
What is a marimba?
Who is the current President of Costa Rica?
Who is Rodrigo Chaves?
After abolishing its military, Costa Rica redirected funds primarily to which two sectors?
What is education and healthcare.
Costa Rica is home to crocodiles. What is the easiest way to differentiate a crocodile from an alligator?
The easiest way to identify a crocodile from an alligator is the shape of their snouts. Alligators have a wider and rounded snout, while crocodiles have a narrower, more pointed snout.
How many provinces are in Costa Rica
What is seven.
San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntearenas, Limón
Translate this sentence:
“Este año estamos celebrando el Año Nuevo en Costa Rica. Tenemos muchas actividades divertidas planeadas.”
What are the two leading political parties in Costa Rica?
What is the National Liberation Party (PLN) and the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)?
Founded in 1951 by José Figueres Ferrer, the PLN has its roots in social democracy and centrist policies. It emphasizes social justice, economic development, and state involvement in providing public services.
Established in 1983, PUSC emerged from a coalition of opposition parties. It aligns with Christian democracy and liberal conservatism, emphasizing traditional values, individual responsibility, and free-market principles.
Which Costa Rican province was the last to join the country in 1824, after declaring independence from Nicaragua?
What is Guanacaste?
What unique ability do iguanas have to escape predators?
Hint: separar la cola
Iguanas can detach their tails if caught by a predator, allowing them to escape.
The detached tail continues to move, further diverting the predator’s attention. Over time, the iguana can regenerate a new tail.
What is the longest river in Costa Rica?
What is the San Juan River
While “Costarricense” is the formal term for a Costa Rican, “___(a) and “__(o)” are widely used both within the country and internationally.