Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small, democratic, and peaceful country sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama near the narrowest point of the Central American isthmus. It occupies less than 52,000 sq km (20,000 sq miles) and is stunningly beautiful and diverse, perhaps more so than any other country of comparable size. Located in the middle of a narrow strip of land known for its political and economic strife and for its wars, military figures and dictators, the country has flourished as a peaceful democracy for more than 50 years.

 

Since its independence from Spain in 1823, Costa Rica has been known for its democatic and progressive traditions. A century later, Costa Rica still retained its reputation as the most tranquil, stable and democratic of all the Latin American nations. This early Republic took pride in spending more money on its schools than its army, and in having more school teachers than soldiers. It was in 1949 that San Ramon native Jose (Don Pepe) Figueres Ferrer established a new democratic constitution and rid the nation of the military’s overweening influence. Promising to promote the greatest good for the greatest number, Don Pepe enacted sweeping economic and social reforms, including abolishing the military, low cost health care for all, minimum wage, citizenship for everyone born in Costa Rica, expanded citizenship and voting rights to women, Afro-Caribbeans, indigenous groups and Chinese minorities. Since Costa Rica's armed forces were abolished in 1949, the government has been able to devote a large percentage of its resources to education, health and conservation. Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates in the Americas and ranks near the Western nations in terms of the standard of health care.

This tiny country is a land of dense jungles, active volcanoes and pristine beaches. The Central Valley, or Central Plateau as it is also referred to, is the heart of Costa Rica. The area is characterized by rich, green volcanic hills, and river filled valleys. Some 60 percent of the population of Costa Rica lives in the Central Valley. The Central Valley is the seat of government, the agricultural and commercial center of the country. It is known for its wonderful climate, hailed by National Geographic as “the best climate in the world.” San Ramon, with its picturesque mountain setting and average year-round temperature in the mid-70sF (25 degrees C), epitomizes a Central Valley mountain town. The Tico Times, “It’s not so hard to imagine the hills of San Ramon as the Tuscany or Provence of Central America.” We consider San Ramon one of the well-kept secrets of Costa Rica.

* Source:
Insight Pocket Guide Costa Rica, 2005
Kyle Longley, The Sparrow and the Hawk (University of Alabama Press, 1997)

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