COSTA RICA
The republic of Costa Rica the second tiny nation of Central America, apart from being in the tropical region it has the distinctive 112 volcanic topology created ages ago; some of these are still live while others a dormant. The underlying belt is turbulent and earthquake prone; the volcanoes fence the area effectively throughout pacific segregating it from Caribbean lowlands.
GEOGRAPHY
Towards the north is Nicaragua 309 km border while Panama 330 km boundary lies in the South. Two oceans namely the westerly Pacific and the easterly Atlantic touch its land line creating lowland stretch; the Pacific Ocean coast line is just 635 miles and constricted. The Pacific has two projecting mass of land; High altitude Nico ya is northerly and marshy Osa southerly. The intervening space is marshy grassland pastures and woody jungles.
Successive volcanic sequels run centrally through the country moving from northwest towards south east; the thinly populated east shore consists of limited wet land covered with vegetation of the jungles and furthers into the interiors with descending landscape. The landscape profile shows plateaus in the middle and wetlands on both the sides. The mountains moving from north reach its zenith near the boundary of Panama.
The time GMT is minus 6 hours.
THE CAPITAL
The country’s capital San Jose or chepe is situated in the central ewer in the midst of highlands. The largest densely populated city it comprises of the towns of Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia. Puntarenas, Limon, and Liberia are important towns. Cocos island adjoining Pacific shore is also the territory of Cata Rica. It has all the modern facilities for tourist and food variety is plenty meeting the need of all palates at economical rates.
Puntarenas or sandy point is a cape extending to Gulf of Nicoya. The connectivity to San Jose through Pacific Railway has enhanced the utility of this fishing port town.
CLIMATE
Basically the weather is tropical. Atmospheric temperature varies with the height of the place. The Pacific area is comparatively arid whereas Atlantic region gets plenty of rainfall beginning from May to October each year. March to April the mercury rises high heating the surroundings; the remaining year is dry season.
HISTORY
The south Costa Rica was populated by Diquis as early as 500 A.D. It was in 1502 that Christopher Columbus from Europe reached this land and was greeted by Caribs and Indians. It was until 1522 that Costa Rica became a Spanish establishment and they endearingly called it the ‘rich coast’. When the Spanish did not find any gold here they neglected the land. The people of the land battled with tropical sickness and foreign rule bravely. Henceforth for three centuries the region sustained dictatorial rule. Most people were involved in agricultural work.
Gradually cities flourished and Cartago became the first capital. Coffee plantation brought prosperity to the nation in the 1700s. The country had to wait for independence till 1821, as it became a Mexican region. More turmoil awaited as civil war broke out and in 1823 it was united with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua under the title United Provinces of Central America. Finally in 1838 it at last became a free nation.
The 19th century it became an eminent democratic country with flourishing economy;
PEOPLE
Nearly 85% of the nationals are with European ancestry the remaining ethnic assortment are mestizo Africans Chinese, Americans and some others. The Limon region is inhabited by mostly by blacks and the native people. The natives are abundant in Guancaste region as well. At present the natives are approximately 1% of the total population of the country. A large chunk of the population resides in the fertile valley caused by lava soil doing cultivation.
The amiable chummy locals exchange greeting among themselves if women and relatives by cheek kissing with strangers by a pat on the arm; the men simply shake hands.
Spanish the legitimate language is assisted by English, Italian, French, German, and Caribbean Creole.
Religion followed is predominately Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestants, Baptist and some other denomination groups like the Jewish and Bahais.
The currency is Costa rican Colon. The natives produce abundant of coffee, bananas, corn, sugar, rice, pineapples potatoes and beans.
The country is fanatic about the game of football and politics. Most tourist call the locals by short form name ‘Ticos” lovingly.
TOURISM
Tourism is a significant industry here. With so many water bodies water feat facilities are innumerable. Tourist can enjoy surfing, snorkeling, swimming, diving, canopying, kayaking, rafting and even deep sea fishing; the Pacific coast has marvelous and world reputed leisure fishing area-the catch could be species like Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, Dorado, Wahoo, Snapper, Rooster and others. Caribbean along with the northern territory is notable for Tarpon and huge Snook catch.
Playas del coco in Guanacaste is a beach resort with other allied water adventure sports for the water babies.
The landscape variation makes it possible to view wild life in its natural setting. Ecological multiform bring many here on educational excursions. The government has made earnest efforts to protect and conserve flora and fauna. Tortuguero National Park on 22 miles stretch of the beach came into existence in 1975 to breed sea turtles. Santa Rosa National Park was a sight of an important battle; it conserves the jungle in its surroundings, and is also an important breeding place for turtles. Many naturist and zoologist frequent the place. Many rare varieties are seen here. Tapanti National Park is all green with pathways for walks and water bodies. It is south east of Orosi.
Volcanoes are a major attraction and so are the unpolluted beaches. The volcanoes on land and sea are classified as active dormant unpredictable and extinct. Seismic tremors are frequent but not all of them are felt by the population. Tourists flog these places out of curiosity and interest.
Poas Volcano aperture has not out poured; being closer to International Airport it is visited by most tourists specifically or on way to La Paz waterfall. The scenery all around is dazzling. The active flaming 7000 years old 5000 feet high Arenal Volcano is amazing and so is the nearby hot springs. It last emitted lava in 1968 after a lapse of 400 years. The Arenal Lake in the vicinity is a source of hydro electric power for the country. The vicinity is 47 square miles conserved area. A whole day outing here includes sight seeing fishing and excursion into the vegetation all around. A few hours of rambling route is enough to arrive at the current lava site. For the natives Guatuso Indians it is the abode of fire God.
Adjoining Cartago is 3432 meters high Irazu Volcano with farming of its slant; a drive through the ascent is possible. It gives a spectacle, view of the entire beautiful stretch. In Rincon de la Vieja enjoy the traditional therapy of steaming spring with mud sponging. The place is well laid out with many mud holes and steam outlets at the gateway. Blue lagoon a natural water fall is not far from here. Santa Maria earthquake track crosses many attractions like those of vieja but its mineral tinged water is a special sight for all.
Then there are the ruins of Turrialba dating back to 1000 BC. It is formally called Guayabo National Park. A whole village has been unearthed. Las Ruinas de Ujarras a few kilometers east from Paraiso are the remains of an ancient church of 1564. The picturesque view from the garden is tranquilizing. Each year in April celebration for La Virgin de Ujarras is celebrated with pomp and show. Orosi Church of 1743 with museum is worth a visit.
Other attraction is northerly five km distance from Las Juntas eco-museo Minero; it is museum related to the process of gold mining. The national museum is displayed in an army fortress and many tourists visit the place. Museo de jade shows Meso-American gem, gold and porcelain art stuff. Museo de ora is totally devoted to pre Columbian gold art culture. Museo de Ninos is actually for children with interactive themes of interest.
A Forest canopy zip line tour is an adventurous trip in vehicle to inspect nature at a reasonable speed since 1990. Safeguard against danger threat is taken care of by guidelines.
The hotel sector is very organized and sensitive to tourist demands; a wide choice of accommodation from economy to luxuary properties to timeshare is available in popular as well as remote places; to avoid inconvenience book in advance.
Tourist set out for this land of charm and beauty for its expanse of beaches, the density of forest the chirping birds and the dangling monkeys the fluttering multihued rare and not so rare butterflies; it is indeed a soul stirring experience in nature on land and ocean. For people with outdoor sports ventures in mind and the adventurous kind there is a lot to explore. The scientist find this place unblemished for investigate and analysis for their studies.
Visit the land and enjoy Gallo pinto the traditional meal of fried rice with black bean, chicken or tuna; enjoy variety of juices as you explore the places of interest. There are luxury hotels and lesser graded hotels, inns villas to suit every budget. Online booking is also possible for all accommodations.
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