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Travel to the ecotourism paradise of Costa Rica that upholds strong constitutional structure and known as a democratic republic from the past 115 years that boasts of rich coastlines and galore seashores.
Physical Map of Costa Rica
Costa Rica lies in the second position as it is considered as the smallest country in Central America past El Salvador. Nestled in the midst of Nicaragua and
Panama, that has its shoreline defined well near the Caribbean and the Pacific. A stretch of thin hills passes from the Lake Nicaragua extending from the pacific to the northern Costa Rica, ultimately ascending into a high risen rocky mountains. It is the capital city of San Jose that is nestled in this upper highland area. The east coast region is covered with the swampy terrains encircled within tropical forests. The area has two-peninsula region: One being the Nicoya peninsula having mountains towards the north and the second being the Osa peninsula that is a low-lying area in the south. It is the savannah forests land that extends from the Pacific coasts passing through the two peninsular regions.
Costa Rica is nestled in Central America, engulfed by Nicaragua (from the north), Panama ( from the south-southeast), the Pacific Ocean ( from the west and south) and the Caribbean Sea ( from the east).
Climate of Costa Rica
Lying close to the Equator,Costa Rica has tropical weather.The region experiences chilly winter from the month of November to January and sultry summer from the months of March to May. Subjected to the altitude the temperature can rise from the 24 degrees centigrade while descending to about 14 degree Celsius. With occurrence of occasional earth tremors still this location is a wonderful destination to visit. The best time to holiday is around the dry season from the months of December to May.
Flora and Fauna of Costa Rica
Watch out for various species of wildlife, especially big cats and tapirs at the Corcovado National Park .
A variety of bird species are found here especially around 320 diversified ranges are found in Tortuguero National Park . One can even sight several species like spider, howler, white-throated Capuchin monkeys, three toed sloth, reptiles, parrot genres, and endangered green turtle, giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles can be well traced in this region.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a home to several species of orchids, birds and different species of mammals.
The National bird of Costa Rica is the Clay-colored Robin. The butterflies and moths find a cozy habitat in the region of Costa Rica.
People of Costa Rica
Costa Ricans are peace-loving people who are polite and friendly in nature and serve people with basic hospitality. The local natives follow the basic custom of treating unexpected visitors readily with a cup of coffee.
The Catholic land of Costa Rica abounds to nearly 80% of the Christian population while comprising of the Metizo group that are of the Spanish and Native American breed. The other groups of European and Afro-Caribbean breed also thrive here. The Holy week in Costa Rica is celebrated in full expression as this week celebrates complete holiday where the local people can make merry in full glory.
Costa Rica stands proudly for conserving and believing in animal and nature rights along with abolishing the army and stabilizing the political forefront roughly about half a century back.
The place has been recognized internationally for having high literacy rates where the majority within the population can read and write.
Arts, Culture and Music of Costa Rica
Art: The cultural legacy of Costa Rica is quite unique. The local people indulge in the traditional pottery design. Santa Ana is famous for creating ceramic items like urns, serving dishes, coffee mugs, ware bowls along with típico houses made from brick kilns and clay pits.
Sarchi is the best possible form of art available in this region. Trademark of this area are the carretas or oxcarts that are universally renowned. Do visit the Ox-cart Museum nestled on the southern outskirts of San José where one can sight collective hand-painted oxcarts, and traditional adobe homes.
Woolworth's art that portrays the regions' rustic landscape garishly tinted with hewn macaws are wonderful piece of an artwork native to this place. Do participate in the International Art Festival that felicitates the best local artists in Costa Rica. Balsa-wood masks, quijongo, string instrument and hand-sewn appliqué are unique of this region.
Music: The folk dance of this region reflects the African and Spanish influences. The marimba that is the xylophone used music is quite popular in Costa Rica.
The guitar is also widely used and is accompanied for national dance of the region known as Punto Guanacaste, which is a heel-and-toe trudging of the couples.
The music derives from the Afro Caribbean origin is well blended with instruments like banjo and drums that add sweet rhythm to the beats. The sinkit music and cuadrille dance originally derived from this place that has gained wide acceptance. Do participate in the Music Festival of the South Caribbean Coast where one can enlighten themselves from the saxophonist tunes to the melodies of piano.
The flag of Costa Rica is designed with blue, white and red horizontal stripes, which was accepted in the year 1848 when Costa Rica was declared as a separate sovereign republic. The color blue symbolizes sky, opportunity, idealism and perseverance whereas the color white signify peace, wisdom and happiness. Color Red denotes the courage shown by the martyr during its independence along with the warmth that people carry.
This state war Ensign is adorned with coat of arms of Costa Rica, which includes the two ships that denotes the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean adjoining areas of Costa Rica. Along with the maritime history one even aware about the three mountain ranges in this place, something that is well denoted here. The seven stars comprises of the seven important provinces within the Costa Rica.
Economy of Costa Rica
The economic condition of Costa depends on three major sectors mainly tourism, agriculture and export of electronics. The place has gained its popularity for being the producer of crops like banana, coffee, cocoa, lumber, sugar, wood products and beef.
Export of Electricity mainly to Central America is an added value to the GDP growth in the country. Manufacturing and industry plays a major role in the economic growth that earned foreign asset and investment in its trade zone.
