Geography
What is the capital city of Costa Rica?
San José.
What is the official language of Costa Rica?
Spanish.
What country ruled Costa Rica before its independence?
Spain.
What animal is famous for moving very slowly through Costa Rica’s trees?
The sloth.
What water sport is especially popular along Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts?
Surfing.
On which continent is Costa Rica located?
North America.
What major holiday is celebrated with parades, music, and fireworks in Costa Rica?
Christmas.
What ocean borders Costa Rica to the west?
The Pacific Ocean.
What type of ecosystem covers much of Costa Rica’s natural landscape?
Tropical forest.
What outdoor activity allows people to explore Costa Rica’s underwater marine life using a mask and snorkel?
Snorkeling.
What famous river forms part of Costa Rica's northern border with Nicaragua?
The San Juan River.
What famous theater is located in downtown San José?
The National Theatre of Costa Rica.
What crop became extremely important to Costa Rica’s economy during the 19th century?
Coffee.
What large cat species can be found in Costa Rica?
The jaguar.
What traditional rural sporting event often features riders competing on horses?
A rodeo.
What famous volcano is located beside Lake Arenal?
Arenal Volcano.
What two Costa Rican products are represented in the famous ceiling mural at the National Theatre?
Coffee and bananas.
Who was the Spanish explorer who arrived on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in 1502?
Christopher Columbus.
Name one nocturnal animal commonly found in Costa Rica.
The kinkajou.
What type of recreation is especially suited to Costa Rica’s volcanoes, mountains, and forests?
Hiking and trekking.
How many provinces does Costa Rica have?
Seven.
Which Costa Rican artist is known for paintings, sculptures, and printmaking depicting Costa Rican life?
Juan Manuel Sánchez.
What Central American leader attempted to establish a regional military empire in the 1850s?
William Walker.
What phenomenon occurs when warm surface water and atmospheric conditions change across the tropical Pacific, affecting Costa Rica’s climate?
El Niño.
What island territory of Costa Rica is particularly famous for scuba diving?
Cocos Island.