Discover Fascinating Costa Rica Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
Background
๐ Costa Rica's Journey to Independence ๐
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. โ๏ธ
๐ฑ 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. ๐๏ธโจ
From its rich past to its bright future, Costa Rica shows how a nation can grow and adapt over time! ๐
Year of Independence
1838
Periods of Violence since Independence
2
Exports - commodities
๐ In 2022, Costa Rica had a colorful mix of exports! Some of the main commodities that Costa Rica is famous for include:
- Medical instruments ๐ฉบ
- Orthopedic appliances ๐ฆด
- Bananas ๐
- Tropical fruits ๐
- Other foods ๐ฝ๏ธ
This variety showcases the country's rich agricultural sector and advanced manufacturing! ๐
Top Export Commodities in 2022
Medical instruments, Orthopedic appliances, Bananas, Tropical fruits, Other foods
Exports - partners
๐จ๐ท 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! ๐ Here's how other countries stack up:
- Netherlands: 7% ๐ฆ
- Guatemala: 5% ๐ฉ
- Belgium: 5% ๐ฅ
- Nicaragua: 3% ๐จ
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! ๐
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
๐ The capital of Costa Rica is San Josรฉ! ๐ This bustling city is not just the political center of the country, but also a cultural hub filled with art, history, and amazing food. ๐ฎ๐จ Want to know more about what makes San Josรฉ special? Letโs dive into it!
Imports - commodities
Costa Rica brings in a variety of important goods that keep the country running smoothly! ๐จ๐ท In 2022, the top imports included:
- Refined petroleum ๐ข๏ธ
- Plastic products ๐งด
- Medical instruments ๐ฅ
- Cars ๐
- Broadcasting equipment ๐ก
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
๐ด 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. ๐๏ธ What's even cooler is that the weather is generally cooler in the highlands, making it a perfect getaway from the heat! ๐๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ Executive Branch of Costa Rica ๐
In the beautiful country of Costa Rica, the key figure in the executive branch is none other than President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles! ๐ 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! ๐๏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! ๐ 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! ๐๏ธโจ
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! ๐๐ก 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! ๐โจ
Primary Renewable Energy Source
Hydropower
Economic overview
๐ 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! ๐ฑ Costa Rica has successfully reversed deforestation, making strides towards a healthier planet. ๐ Additionally, the country is investing in blue economy infrastructure, focusing on sustainable ocean use.
๐ 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. Itโs a mixed bag of achievements and challenges that Costa Rica is navigating as it continues its journey towards sustainability and economic stability. ๐
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! ๐จ๐ท 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? ๐
Ethnic groups
๐ Costa Rica is a melting pot of cultures, and its ethnic diversity is truly fascinating! According to the latest estimates from 2011, hereโs how the population breaks down:
- White or Mestizo: 83.6% ๐ณ๏ธ
- Mulatto: 6.7% ๐ฝ
- Indigenous: 2.4% ๐พ
- Black or African descent: 1.1% โฌ
- Other: 1.1% ๐ถ
- None: 2.9% ๐ซ
- Unspecified: 2.2% โ
This rich tapestry of ethnic groups contributes to the vibrant culture in Costa Rica! ๐
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 ๐จ๐ท
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. ๐ Letโs 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%
Isnโt it fascinating to see how diverse Costa Rica's beliefs are? ๐
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? ๐จ๐ทโจ 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! ๐๐ฌ
Official Language
Spanish
Commonly Used Language
English
Imports - partners
๐ 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%. Letโs visualize this data to see how it all stacks up! ๐ฐ
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
๐โจ 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! ๐จ๐ทโจ
Total Population
5,265,575
Area
Costa Rica has a total area of 51,100 sq km! ๐ 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 ๐๏ธ
- Water Area: 40 sq km ๐ง
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)
๐ Let's take a look at the economic growth of Costa Rica! The Real GDP (thatโs the total money made in the country after adjusting for prices) tells us how well the economy is doing. Hereโs 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! ๐ This is great news for the country. More money often means more jobs and better services for everyone! ๐
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
๐ Real GDP per capita in Costa Rica: A Yearly Overview! ๐ฐ
Check out how Costa Rica's economy has been growing in recent years! Hereโs the estimation of the Real GDP per capita:
- 2021: $23,700
- 2022: $24,700
- 2023: $25,800
As we can see, each year, Costa Ricaโs GDP per capita has been increasing! Isnโt that exciting? ๐ 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! ๐
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
๐ 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. Hereโs 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! ๐ This shows Costa Rica's growing economy and its increase in demand for goods from around the world. ๐โ๏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
๐ Costa Rica's exports are growing steadily! Let's take a look at how much the country has exported over the last few years. ๐
- 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! ๐
This upward trend showcases the strength and potential of Costa Rica's economy in the global market. What a fantastic journey of growth! ๐ฑ
2021 Exports
$23.609 billion
2022 Exports
$29.404 billion
2023 Exports
$33.699 billion
Costa Rica Exports Over Years
Population growth rate
๐ 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! ๐ก๐
Population growth rate for Costa Rica in 2024
0.74%