The Republic of Costa Rica is a small country in Central America that borders Nicaragua and Panama. Before Columbus the Indigenous people, in what is now known as Costa Rica, were part of the Intermediate Area located between the Mesoamerican and Andean cultural regions. In 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus made the first European landfall in the area. Settlement of Costa Rica began in 1522.

Costa Rica joined other Central American provinces in 1821 in a joint declaration of independence from Spain. In 1838, long after the Central American Federation ceased to function in practice, Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign. An era of peaceful democracy in Costa Rica began in 1889 with elections considered the first truly free and honest ones in the country's history. Costa Rica has avoided much of the violence that has plagued much of Central America. In 1949, José Figueres Ferrer, as a world first, constitutionally abolished the army. Ever since Costa Rica has enjoyed a stable democracy.

Inhabitants: 4.3 Million
Area: 51,100 km2
Capital: San José (1.6 Million)
Languages: Spanish
Religion: Christianity (Roman Catholic)
GDP per capita: $12,000
Government: Democratic Republic
Climate: Tropical