Discover Fascinating Costa Rica Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

Background

๐ŸŒ Costa Rica's Journey to Independence ๐ŸŒ

Costa Rica declared its independence from the United Provinces of Central America in 1838. Since then, this beautiful country has enjoyed a largely peaceful democratic society, with only two brief periods of violence affecting its development. โœŒ๏ธ

๐ŸŒฑ Costa Rica continues to thrive with a robust agricultural sector, but it's also embraced new opportunities! The economy now flourishes with strong technology and tourism industries. ๐Ÿ–๏ธโœจ

From its rich past to its bright future, Costa Rica shows how a nation can grow and adapt over time! ๐ŸŒŸ

Year of Independence

1838

Periods of Violence since Independence

2

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒ In 2022, Costa Rica had a colorful mix of exports! Some of the main commodities that Costa Rica is famous for include:

  • Medical instruments ๐Ÿฉบ
  • Orthopedic appliances ๐Ÿฆด
  • Bananas ๐ŸŒ
  • Tropical fruits ๐Ÿ
  • Other foods ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

This variety showcases the country's rich agricultural sector and advanced manufacturing! ๐Ÿƒ

Top Export Commodities in 2022

Medical instruments, Orthopedic appliances, Bananas, Tropical fruits, Other foods

Exports - partners

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท Costa Rica is actively trading with several partners around the world! In 2022, the biggest export partner was the United States, making up a whopping 40% of all exports! ๐ŸŒŽ Here's how other countries stack up:

  • Netherlands: 7% ๐ŸŸฆ
  • Guatemala: 5% ๐ŸŸฉ
  • Belgium: 5% ๐ŸŸฅ
  • Nicaragua: 3% ๐ŸŸจ

It's clear that the US is a major player in Costa Rica's trade, followed by a few other countries. Let's visualize this data! ๐Ÿ“Š

Percentage of Exports to US

40%

Percentage of Exports to Netherlands

7%

Percentage of Exports to Guatemala

5%

Percentage of Exports to Belgium

5%

Percentage of Exports to Nicaragua

3%

Costa Rica's Export Partners in 2022

Capital

๐ŸŒŸ The capital of Costa Rica is San Josรฉ! ๐ŸŒŸ This bustling city is not just the political center of the country, but also a cultural hub filled with art, history, and amazing food. ๐ŸŒฎ๐ŸŽจ Want to know more about what makes San Josรฉ special? Letโ€™s dive into it!

Imports - commodities

Costa Rica brings in a variety of important goods that keep the country running smoothly! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท In 2022, the top imports included:

  • Refined petroleum ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Plastic products ๐Ÿงด
  • Medical instruments ๐Ÿฅ
  • Cars ๐Ÿš—
  • Broadcasting equipment ๐Ÿ“ก

These commodities help support industries and improve the quality of life for Costa Ricans. Let's explore how these imports play a vital role in everyday life!

Climate

๐ŸŒด Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate that makes it a paradise for nature lovers! โ˜€๏ธ The year is divided into two main seasons: a dry season from December to April, and a rainy season from May to November. ๐Ÿž๏ธ What's even cooler is that the weather is generally cooler in the highlands, making it a perfect getaway from the heat! ๐Ÿ”๏ธ

Executive branch

๐ŸŒŸ Executive Branch of Costa Rica ๐ŸŒŸ
In the beautiful country of Costa Rica, the key figure in the executive branch is none other than President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles! ๐ŸŽ‰ He has held both the titles of chief of state and head of government since an important date: 8 May 2022. This marks a significant milestone for Costa Rica under his leadership! ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ

Current President

Rodrigo CHAVES Robles

Date in office since

8 May 2022

Legislative branch

Costa Rica has a unicameral Legislative Assembly with a total of 57 seats! ๐ŸŽ‰ This means that instead of having two separate chambers, all of the legislators work together in one big group to make laws and decisions for the country. It helps in making the legislative process quicker and more straightforward! ๐Ÿ›๏ธโœจ

Total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly

57

Natural resources

Costa Rica is known for its amazing natural resources, and one of the shining stars is hydropower! ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ’ก This renewable energy source harnesses the power of flowing water to generate electricity, making it a clean and sustainable choice for powering homes and businesses across the country. With a commitment to protecting its precious environment, Costa Rica leads the way in using hydropower, showcasing the beauty of nature while keeping the lights on! ๐ŸŒŽโœจ

Primary Renewable Energy Source

Hydropower

Economic overview

๐ŸŒ Costa Rica is a trade-based upper middle-income economy. This vibrant country is not just famous for its coffee and beautiful beaches but also stands out as a leader in the green economy! ๐ŸŒฑ Costa Rica has successfully reversed deforestation, making strides towards a healthier planet. ๐ŸŒŠ Additionally, the country is investing in blue economy infrastructure, focusing on sustainable ocean use.

๐Ÿ“‰ However, like many places, Costa Rica faced challenges with the hard impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to declining poverty levels. Despite the progress, lingering inequality and a growing government debt have sparked a liquidity crisis. Itโ€™s a mixed bag of achievements and challenges that Costa Rica is navigating as it continues its journey towards sustainability and economic stability. ๐ŸŒˆ

Economic classification

Upper middle-income economy

Environmental achievement

Leader in green economy

Deforestation status

Successfully reversed deforestation

Impact of COVID-19

Declining poverty until pandemic impacts

Current issue

Liquidity crisis due to inequality and growing debt

Government type

Costa Rica is known for its presidential republic! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท This means that the country has a president who acts as both the head of state and the head of government. In a presidential republic, the president is elected by the people and holds significant powers in the government, including executing laws and managing the country's affairs. Isn't that cool? ๐ŸŒŸ

Ethnic groups

๐ŸŒ Costa Rica is a melting pot of cultures, and its ethnic diversity is truly fascinating! According to the latest estimates from 2011, hereโ€™s how the population breaks down:

  • White or Mestizo: 83.6% ๐Ÿณ๏ธ
  • Mulatto: 6.7% ๐Ÿฝ
  • Indigenous: 2.4% ๐Ÿพ
  • Black or African descent: 1.1% โฌ›
  • Other: 1.1% ๐Ÿšถ
  • None: 2.9% ๐Ÿšซ
  • Unspecified: 2.2% โ“

This rich tapestry of ethnic groups contributes to the vibrant culture in Costa Rica! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Population Percentage of White or Mestizo

83.6%

Total Population Percentage of Mulatto

6.7%

Total Population Percentage of Indigenous

2.4%

Total Population Percentage of Black or African descent

1.1%

Total Population Percentage of None

2.9%

Total Population Percentage of Unspecified

2.2%

Ethnic Composition of Costa Rica (2011)

Religions

Religions in Costa Rica ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท

Costa Rica is a country with a rich tapestry of religious beliefs! The most widespread faith is Roman Catholicism, embraced by 47.5% of the population. Following closely are the Evangelical and Pentecostal communities, which represent about 19.8%. There are also smaller yet significant groups, such as Jehovah's Witnesses at 1.4%, and other Protestant denominations at 1.2%. Besides these, 3.1% of the people follow other religions, while a notable 27% of the population identifies as having no religion at all.

This variety contributes to the cultural richness of the nation. ๐ŸŒˆ Letโ€™s visualize this data!

Religious Breakdown:

  • Roman Catholic: 47.5%
  • Evangelical and Pentecostal: 19.8%
  • Jehovah's Witness: 1.4%
  • Other Protestant: 1.2%
  • Other: 3.1%
  • None: 27%

Isnโ€™t it fascinating to see how diverse Costa Rica's beliefs are? ๐ŸŒ

Percentage of Roman Catholics

47.5%

Percentage of Evangelicals and Pentecostals

19.8%

Percentage of Jehovah's Witnesses

1.4%

Percentage of Other Protestants

1.2%

Percentage of Other Religions

3.1%

Percentage of People with No Religion

27%

Religious Distribution in Costa Rica

Languages

Did you know that in Costa Rica, the main language spoken is Spanish? ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ทโœจ Spanish is the official language of this beautiful country, but English is also commonly used, especially in tourist areas and among expatriates. So, whether you're discussing delicious gallo pinto or looking for directions, you'll likely hear both Spanish and English in the air! ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿ’ฌ

Official Language

Spanish

Commonly Used Language

English

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒŽ Costa Rica's imports come from various partners, and here's how the pie chart looks! In 2022, the biggest partner was the United States, contributing 39% of the imports. Trailing behind are China at 14%, Mexico at 5%, Guatemala and Brazil both at 3%. Letโ€™s visualize this data to see how it all stacks up! ๐Ÿฐ

Top Import Partner

United States (39%)

Second Largest Import Partner

China (14%)

Percentage of Imports from Mexico

5%

Percentage of Imports from Guatemala

3%

Percentage of Imports from Brazil

3%

Costa Rica's Import Partners in 2022

Population

๐ŸŒŽโœจ Costa Rica is home to a vibrant community of 5,265,575 people! This beautiful country is known for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and friendly locals. Whether it's exploring beaches or rainforests, it's a fantastic place to be! ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ทโœจ

Total Population

5,265,575

Area

Costa Rica has a total area of 51,100 sq km! ๐ŸŒ This beautiful country is filled with stunning landscapes, from mountains and valleys to beaches and rainforests. Let's break down the area:

  • Land Area: 51,060 sq km ๐Ÿž๏ธ
  • Water Area: 40 sq km ๐Ÿ’ง

It's fascinating to see how much of Costa Rica is land compared to its water, revealing just how diverse and vibrant this Central American gem really is!

Total Area

51100 sq km

Land Area

51060 sq km

Water Area

40 sq km

Distribution of Area in Costa Rica

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the economic growth of Costa Rica! The Real GDP (thatโ€™s the total money made in the country after adjusting for prices) tells us how well the economy is doing. Hereโ€™s how Costa Rica has been performing over the last few years:

  • 2021: $122.15 billion
  • 2022: $127.71 billion
  • 2023: $134.238 billion

You can see that the GDP is growing! ๐Ÿ“ˆ This is great news for the country. More money often means more jobs and better services for everyone! ๐ŸŽ‰

GDP in 2023

$134.238 billion

GDP in 2022

$127.71 billion

GDP in 2021

$122.15 billion

Costa Rica's Real GDP Over Time

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒŽ Real GDP per capita in Costa Rica: A Yearly Overview! ๐Ÿ’ฐ
Check out how Costa Rica's economy has been growing in recent years! Hereโ€™s the estimation of the Real GDP per capita:

  • 2021: $23,700
  • 2022: $24,700
  • 2023: $25,800

As we can see, each year, Costa Ricaโ€™s GDP per capita has been increasing! Isnโ€™t that exciting? ๐ŸŽ‰ The growth shows a progress in the country's economic health, allowing citizens to potentially enjoy a better quality of life.

Get ready to visualize this climb in GDP with a chart! ๐Ÿ“Š

Real GDP per capita (2023 Est.)

25,800

Real GDP per capita (2022 Est.)

24,700

Real GDP per capita (2021 Est.)

23,700

Real GDP per capita in Costa Rica (2021-2023)

Imports

๐Ÿ“Š Let's take a look at the impressive growth of imports in Costa Rica! Over the last few years, this Central American nation has seen its imports increase significantly. Hereโ€™s how the numbers stack up:

  • 2021: $21.94 billion
  • 2022: $27.07 billion
  • 2023: $28.441 billion

That's a jump of over $6.5 billion from 2021 to 2023! ๐Ÿš€ This shows Costa Rica's growing economy and its increase in demand for goods from around the world. ๐ŸŒโœˆ๏ธ

2021 Import Amount

21.94 billion

2022 Import Amount

27.07 billion

2023 Import Amount

28.441 billion

Costa Rica Imports Over Time

Exports

๐ŸŒ Costa Rica's exports are growing steadily! Let's take a look at how much the country has exported over the last few years. ๐Ÿ“ˆ

  • In 2021, Costa Rica exported a total of $23.609 billion.
  • This number increased in 2022, with exports reaching $29.404 billion!
  • And in 2023, the export figure jumped even higher to $33.699 billion! ๐ŸŽ‰

This upward trend showcases the strength and potential of Costa Rica's economy in the global market. What a fantastic journey of growth! ๐ŸŒฑ

2021 Exports

$23.609 billion

2022 Exports

$29.404 billion

2023 Exports

$33.699 billion

Costa Rica Exports Over Years

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Costa Rica is seeing a population growth rate of 0.74% as estimated for 2024! This means that more people are calling this beautiful country home every year! ๐Ÿก๐Ÿ’š

Population growth rate for Costa Rica in 2024

0.74%