Costa Rica

Republic of Costa RicaRepublica de Costa Rica

democratic republicIndependence 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Costa Rica as the 2000 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 109 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalSan Jose

Position10 00 N, 84 00 W

Area51,100 sq km

LocationMiddle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Populationas each edition published it

3.71 million July 2000 est. · 3.03m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.69% 2000 est. · 2.38% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 25.4 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

75.82 years 2000 est. · 77.49 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.52 children per woman 2000 est. · 3.3 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

11.49 deaths per 1,000 live births 2000 est. · 16 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$7,100 1999 est. · $2,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

7% 1999 est. · 5.4% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread. Tourism is a rapidly expanding industry.

Geography

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

17 fields

Land useshare of 51,100 sq km

arable land 6%permanent crops 5%permanent pastures 46%forests and woodland 31%other 12% (1993 est.)irrigated 1,200 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

51,100sq km

land: 50,660 sq kmwater: 440 sq kmnote: includes Isla del Cocoslightly smaller than West Virginia

Coastline

1,290km

exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Highest point

3,810m

Cerro Chirripolowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Land boundaries

639km

border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Climate

tropical and subtropical;
dry season (December to April);
rainy season (May to November);
cooler in highlands

Terrain

coastal plains separated by rugged mountains

Natural resources

hydropower

Natural hazards

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;
frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season;
active volcanoes

Environment - current issues

deforestation, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching;
soil erosion;
water pollution (rivers);
fisheries protection;
solid waste management

Environment - international agreements

party to:: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

People

15 fields

Population

3,710,558

(July 2000 est.)growth rate: 1.69% (2000 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2000 est.)

Birth

20.69Death

4.31Net migration

0.54

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2000 est.)75.82

73.3 · 78.47

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)94.8%

94.7% · 95%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

white (including mestizo) 94%black 3%Amerindian 1%Chinese 1%other 1%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 32% (male 609,051; female 581,302)
15-64 years:: 63% (male 1,177,262; female 1,150,673)
65 years and over:: 5% (male 89,541; female 102,729) (2000 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population:: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate

11.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.52 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Costa Rican(s)
adjective:: Costa Rican

Religions

Roman Catholic 85%, Evangelical Protestant, approximately 14%, other less than 1%

Languages

Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon

Government

Democratic republic; President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

46.6%

Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 46.6%Jose Miguel CORRALES (PLN) 44.6%election last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 2 February 2002)

Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa, 57 seats, elected 1 February 1998one dot, one seat

PUSC 27PLN 23minority parties 7

Percent of vote

PUSC 41%PLN 35%minority parties 24%

Country name

conventional long form:: Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form:: Costa Rica
local long form:: Republica de Costa Rica
local short form:: Costa Rica

Data code

Government type

democratic republic

Capital

San Jose

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution

7 November 1949

Legal system

based on Spanish civil law system;
judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998);
First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998);
note - president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:: President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998);
First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998);
note - president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet:: Cabinet selected by the president
elections:: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms;
election last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 2 February 2002)
election results:: Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 46.6%, Jose Miguel CORRALES (PLN) 44.6%

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:: last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 2 February 2002)
election results:: percent of vote by party - PUSC 41%, PLN 35%, minority parties 24%; seats by party - PUSC 27, PLN 23, minority parties 7

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly

Political parties and leaders

Agriculture Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco];
Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Carlos AVENDANO Calvo];
Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose NUNEZ];
Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA];
National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL Benavides];
National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten];
National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes];
National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO];
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON]

note: mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN; numerous small parties share less than 25% of population's support

Political pressure groups and leaders

Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate);
Chamber of Coffee Growers;
Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate);
Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate);
Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP;
Free Costa Rica Movement or MCRL (rightwing militants);
National Association for Economic Development or ANFE;
National Association of Educators or ANDE

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM
chancery:: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 234-2945
FAX:: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general:: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa
consulate(s):: Austin

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Thomas J. DODD
embassy:: Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address:: APO AA 34020
telephone:: [506] 220-3939
FAX:: [506] 220-2305

Flag description

five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band

Economy

Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports.

31 fields

Real growth rate

(1999 est.)industrial production growth: 24.5% (1999)

Inflation, consumer prices

10.8%

(1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.6%

(1998 est.); 7.5% underemployment

Labor force

1.377million

(1998)

GDP - composition by sector(1998)

agriculture 14%industry 22%services 64% (1998)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

49%

41%

22%

10%

Central America

Japan

8.1%

Mexico

7.3%

Venezuela

Exports $6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)Imports $6.5 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)(1999) · (1998)

Budget

Revenues

$1.93 billionExpenditures

$2.27 billion (1999 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 9.28%hydro 80.62%other 10.1% (1998)nuclear 0%

Electricity production

5.742 billion (1998)Electricity consumption

5.267 billion (1998)Electricity exports

77 million (1998)Electricity imports

4 million (1998)

Economy - overview

Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Economic growth has rebounded from -0.9% in 1996 to 4% in 1997, 6% in 1998, and 7% in 1999.

Inflation rose to 22.5% in 1995, dropped to 11.1% in 1997, 12% in 1998, and 11% in 1999. Large government deficits - fueled by interest payments on the massive internal debt - have undermined efforts to maintain the quality of social services. Curbing inflation, reducing the deficit, and improving public sector efficiency remain key challenges to the government. Political resistance to privatization has stalled liberalization efforts.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $26 billion (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $7,100 (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)

Industries

microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Agriculture - products

coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes;
beef;
timber

Exports

$6.4 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, bananas, sugar; textiles, electronic components, electricity

Imports

$6.5 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, electricity

Debt - external

$3.9 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$107.1 million (1995)

Currency

1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos

Exchange rates

Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 299.63 (February 2000), 285.68 (1999), 257.23 (1998), 232.60 (1997), 207.69 (1996), 179.73 (1995)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

46,500

(December 1996)

Internet users

(1999)

Fixed lines

451,000

(525,700 main lines installed) (yearend 1996)

Telephone system

very good domestic telephone service

domestic:: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available
international:: connected to Central American Microwave System;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean);
two submarine cables (1999)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998)

Radios

980,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

525,000 (1997)

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

2,438 to 3,047 m

1,524 to 2,437 m

914 to 1,523 m

under 914 m

Paved 28Unpaved 127

Networkskm

Highways

37,273Railways

950

Highways: paved: 7,827 km · unpaved: 29,446 km (1998 est.) · Railways: narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified)

Railways

total:: 950 km
narrow gauge:: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified)

Highways

total:: 37,273 km
paved:: 7,827 km
unpaved:: 29,446 km (1998 est.)

Military

Coast Guard, Air Section, Ministry of Public Security Force (Fuerza Publica);

7 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

(FY95)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America;
illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots;
domestic cocaine consumption has risen [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Central Intelligence Agency. “Costa Rica.” The World Factbook 2000. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/costa-rica/2000.

How to cite ← 1999 edition 2001 edition →