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Research:

I. Population:
A. Approximate Population of 4.95 million
B. Population Growth Rate- 1.13% (122 people/year?)
C. Urbanization Rate- 1.5% Annual
D. Birth Rate- 15.3 per 1,000 people
E. Death Rate- 4.8 per 1,000 people
F. Population Density- 220/Sq Mile
G. Density and/or Distribution Change over History?- Yes, it has gotten
greater over the years. Density has increased every year, but it has had a
less of an increase than the years before.
H. Living- San Jose (largest city/capital), Half of Pop. lives in Urban Areas
II. Economics:
A. Economic System- The country’s wealth is distributed among social classes.
It is going towards Central America’s highest per capita GNP. The
government controls most things, and the entire population is eligible for
free medical care. Efforts to diversity the economy have succeeded by
reducing traditional dependence on agricultural exports. Beginning of 21st
Century, the rate of annual GNP growth was above Central American
average and was doubled by world average.
B. Who Controls Production Factors- The main industry is in Valle Central
for most manufacturing. Production factories are mainly focused in Valle
Central, along with a few in Limón and Puntarenas. Manufacturing is the
biggest production factory, so Valle Central is the main area.
C. Major Imports- Raw Materials, Consumer Goods, Capital Equipment,
Petroleum, and Construction Materials
D. Major Exports- Bananas, Coffee, Sugar, and Beef
III. Government:
A. Governmental System- Presidential Republic
1. Known as the oldest and most stable democracy in Central America
2. Built upon the 3 Branches
3. Have the President who rules executive power
4. Rules along with 57 Legislative Assembly deputies, elected every 4
years
5. Has no military
a) Has Domestic Police, Security Forces, and a Coast Guard
B. Structure of the Branches:
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1. Executive-President is elected for a 4 year term. A Supreme Electoral

Tribunal supervises the elections. Have the President, VP and 2nd
VP. Then after them are 26 Ministers doing many jobs, including
finance and foreign Relations.
2. Legislative- Legislative branch Deputies are elected by direct vote
and can be made into political parties. They proportion the
representation of the 7 provinces, the main one being San Jose. They
function separately and do not have provincial officials. Mayors get
elected for a 4 year period through general elections.
3. Judicial- The Supreme Court of Justice leads Judicial Power. The
Legislative Assembly elects 22 magistrates for 8 year renewable
terms. The Sala IV is the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme
Court and is responsible for executive decrees and assessing the
constitutionality of legislation and habeas corpus warrants. The
Ombudsman, the Solicitor General, and the Comptroller General of
the Republic are responsible for government oversight. Many roles
are increasing prominent government.
C. Political Leaders- Executive: President/Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Vice
President/Epsy Campbell Barr, and 2nd VP/Marvin Rodriguez Cordero
IV. Cultural Aspects:
A. Major Religions/Percentages- Roman Catholic/ 71.8% and Evangelical and
Pentecostal/12.3%
B. Languages/Location- Official/Spanish and Others/English
C. Literacy Rate- 15 and Older being able to Read and Write: 97.8%
D. Education System- Education is generally free, and every citizen is obligated
to receive education by law. Primary education is received between the age
of 6 and 13, attended by almost every child in the country. Secondary
education gives you 2 choices, academic (5 years) or technical (6 years).
Both acquire high school diplomas, which can qualify them for tertiary
education at universities. The Ministry of Education has programs
guarantee widespread knowledge in computer science and English as the
2nd language to keep with international standards. ESL is a particular main
focus. The Ministry hopes to get 25% of high school graduates to a C1 level
of skill (competent user), and others at least to basic levels of
comprehension. Between both public and private schools, 85% of primary
level students attend English classes.
E. Cultural Celebrations/Holidays- Semana Santa (Holiest week of the year,
April before Easter, everything shuts down, including transportation to
celebrate religion), Dia de Guanacaste (July 25, the annexation of
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Guanacaste is very important to celebrate for the day Guanacaste chose to

be part of Costa Rica), Dia de la Raza/Day of Cultures (October 12,
celebration Carnival festivals and parties based on the cultures), Dia de los
Muertos (Nov 2, go to graves to visit dead relatives and decorate stones),
Envision (Feb 22-25, music festival, many performances), Jungle Jam (march
22, annual reggae festival with music and culture.
V. Independence:
A. Liberation Story- Declared their independence from Spain in 1821, then
they joined the short-lived Mexican Empire. In 1823, they helped creating
the United Provinces of Central America. A similar isolationism pattern to
the colonial pattern was reinforced. Costa Ricans had little interest in
attempts to revive the federation, until their country joined the Central
American Common Market in 1962. Other Information Necessary??
1. Colonial Rulers- General Tomas Guardia, Chief Promoter: Minor C.
Keith, and Presidential Election: Jose Joaquin Rodriguez.
2. Date- September 15 (1821)
3. How to Celebrate Today- This day is the most important point in
their history. On this day, the country shuts down for the day to focus
on the patriotic celebrations. Every town/city has their own street
party with parades. People wear traditional dress, listen to folk
music, and make Costa Rican dishes. A few days before this day of
celebration, a torch is lit in Guatemala and makes it’s way down
Central America. The highlight of the day is raising the flag and
singing the national anthem. Then afterward, the parties continue
into the night.
B. Display Flag
1. Explain Story of Design-
a) Blue- Stands for the Sky, Opportunity, and Perseverance
b) White- Peace, Happiness, and Wisdom
c) Red- The Blood shed for Freedom, including the generosity
and vibrancy of the people
2. Started with the original blue-white-blue flag until 1848 when
responding to the revolutionary act in Europe, it was decided to
incorporate the French colors into the flag and add a central red
stripe.
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VI. Sources

https://costarica.org/facts/government/

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/costa-rica-population/

https://costarica.org/events/holidays/

https://www.internations.org/costa-rica-expats/guide/living-in-costa-rica-
15466/education-in-costa-rica-2

https://www.britannica.com/place/Costa-Rica/Independence

https://www.heritage.org/index/country/costarica

Image Sources:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/san-jose

https://costarica.org/people/religion/

https://www.britannica.com/place/Valle-Central

https://qcostarica.com/costa-rica-breaks-record-in-banana-exports/

http://www.costaricagurus.com/15-bold-rich-and-delicious-facts-about-coffee-in-costa-
rica/
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“Dia de los Muertos.” CostaRica.org. TripAdvisor, 2018. Image. 10 Jan 2019.

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Malayna Fredericks

Kieler

ILT

9 Jan 2019

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