About the size of West Virginia and with a population of almost 4 million, Costa Rica is an example of conservation of natural resources and economic sustainability.

Almost one-third of its land is protected by land management laws, more than any other country on Earth.

Costa Rica’s traditional agricultural export economy (including coffee and bananas) has been supplanted by tourism and high tech exports. Eco-tourism thrives in Costa Rica's 12 distinct ecological zones that include rainforests, rugged mountains, active volcanoes, and beaches along two oceans.

The country has become a model for nations that hope to encourage economic development within a framework of environmental protection and sustainability.

Ticos is the common name Costa Ricans refer to themselves.  More specifically, a Tica is a female Costa Rican and a Tico is a male. The name comes from a preference Ticos have of using the diminutive in their speech, changing everything so it means 'little something'.  For instance, a Tico might call his grandmother (abuela),  abuelita, or her house (casa) her casita.  A kiss (beso) becomes a besito!  This goes on and on and covers almost everything.  In fact, it makes learning Costa Rica style Spanish a bit harder as you have to learn these diminutives even if you don't use them.  So why Tico?  Because many people pronounced the diminutive saying  momentito (meaning just a short moment), as "momentico"

Population

3,896,092 (July 2003 est.)

Location

Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, situated between Nicaragua and Panama.

Climate

Costa Rica's tropical and subtropical climate is responsible for this Central American country's vast rainforests and rich biodiversity. Temperatures in Costa Rica vary primarily with elevation, not with seasons. The coastal areas remain warm year-round, while the mountain regions tend to have a more temperate weather and climate. Costa Rica has two seasons: the rainy season, “winter,” lasts from May to mid-November; the dry season, “summer,” lasts from mid-November to April. During the rainy season, days often start out sunny with rain falling in the afternoons and evenings. The dry season, because of its lack of rain, tends to be Costa Rica’s high season for tourism.

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