Costa Rica Fun Facts

. The most popular sport to do in Costa Rica is futbol, or well known as soccer.

. White water rafting is very popular.

. The most popular modern instruments in Costa Rica are the guitar and xylophone.

. The national flower of Costa Rica is the Orchid.

Bibliography

Koutnik, Jane.  Culture Smart!  Costa Rica.  London.  Random House, 2005.

Morrison, Marion.  Top Secret Guide to Costa Rica.  London.  Highlights for Children, 2000.

Van Rheenen, Erin.  Living Abroad in Costa Rica.  Berkeley.  Avalon Travel, 2010.

Central Intelligence Agency.  "Economy: Costa Rica."  The World Factbook.  1 January 2013 <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html>

World Vision.  "Costa Rica."  World Vision: Building a Better World for Children.  1 January 2013 <http://www.worldvision.org/our-work/international-work/costa-rica>

Costa Rica's Education System

In 1869, Costa Rica was the first country in Latin America to make education free for all children.  In Costa Rica 95% of  the population can read and write.  Children from ages six to fifteen go to school. With the first six years at primaries level.  In three years of the second level students than pass exams can chose to go to a university. There are only six university, Costa Rica has a large range of subjects like law, medicine, sociology, and journalism.

To go to school in Costa Rica would be different because we have to wear uniforms and learn Spanish.

Costa Rica's Government

Costa Rica is one of the oldest and most stable democratic republics, with a President elected for a four year term.   The current President elected in 2010 is Laura Chinchilla, the first female President ever.   Costa Rica's government is divided among the executive, legislative and judicial branches.  The executive branch has the President, two Vice Presidents and 19 cabinet ministers.  The Presidents selects them.  The legislative branch is formed by 57 deputies that are elected every four years like the President.  They represent the seven provinces.  The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court that is divided into four chambers.  There are 22 people in the chambers called magistrates that are chosen by the Legislative Assembly.   The Political Constitution was adopted in 1949.  Costa Ricans are proud of their democracy.  Everyone over 18 is aloud to vote and so they have very high voter turnout.

Legislative Assembly

Costa Rica's Economy

The money in Costa Rica is called the Colon, Colones for plural. Costa Rica's main exports are coffee and bananas.  Other exports are pineapples, melons, ornamental plants, and oil from African palm nuts.   Electronic components are, medical equipment, and pharmaceutical became important exports.  Some of the names of the export companies are John&Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, and Monsanto.  

Tourism is how Costa Rica makes most of its money.  Because there is a lot of tourist.  So then people pay extra for tour guides.  in 1989 there was about 400,000. Know there is about 2,000,000 million tourist per year.
Tourist in a jungle 

Most people in Costa Rica are middle class however, 25% are very poor.  The average yearly salary is $6,000. The GDP is $55 billion.  

Costa Rica's Social Structure

Costa Ricans are called "Ticos" for short.  Most Costa Ricans are lower middle class, however many are also very poor.  Family is very important to Costa Ricans.  Many grown ups live with their parents while they are in college  until they get married.  They have many large, family parties all year that last all day and end late at night.  Costa Ricans think honor is very important.  They are very friendly but very secretive about their lives.  Many Costa Ricans like to get up early in the morning but they are always late to get somewhere.  It's considered rude to be on time.  A popular saying is "Tico time!"  

Costa Rica's Holidays

Costa Rica has similar holidays like Holy Week. Holy Week is Palm Sunday to Easter.  Palm Sunday was the day that Jesus died.  The week of Holy Week there are street plays with roman soldiers walking the streets for re-enactments of the Pascua.  A few other holidays Costa Ricans celebrate is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  They walk around singing Christmas songs about going to Bethlehem.  Also they celebrate News years eve, people watch fireworks and see bullfights.  Costa Ricans love to celebrate Mother's Day.  On April 11 they celebrate Juan Santamaria Day with parades, music and dance.  He is a hero to Costa Ricans.  Last but not least people celebrate Independence day on September 15. On Independence day there are neighborhood parades and school children carry flags.   

Palm Sunday