World Country Guide

General Information

Area
51,100 sq km (19,730 sq miles).

Population
3,925,331 (2000).

Population Density
79.2 per sq km.

Capital
San Jos. Population: 328,293 (official estimate 2002).

Geography
Costa Rica, lying between Nicaragua and Panama, is a complete coast-to-coast segment of the Central American isthmus. Its width ranges from 119km to 282km (74 to 176 miles). A low thin line of hills, that rises between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean in Nicaragua, broadens and rises as it enters northern Costa Rica, eventually forming the high, rugged, mountains of volcanic origin in the centre and south. The highest peak is Chirrip Grande, which reaches 3820m (12,530ft). More than half the population live on the Meseta Central, a plateau with an equitable climate. It is rimmed to the southwest by the Cordillera range, and provides the setting for the country’s capital, San Jos. There are lowlands on both coastlines, mainly swampy on the Caribbean coast, with grassland savannah on the Pacific side merging into mangrove towards the south. Rivers cut through the mountains, flowing down to both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821. Head of State and Government: President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella since 2002.

Language
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken. Some French, German and Italian are also spoken.

Religion
Almost entirely Christian, with Roman Catholic majority.

Time
GMT - 6.

Electricity
120 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 506. Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone booths are available all over the country.

Mobile telephone
GSM 1800/3G network is operated by Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). Handsets can be hired, although this can be difficult and time-consuming.

Fax
Facilities are available in San Jos at the Radiogrfica Costarricense SA (opening hours: 0700-2200).

Internet
There are Internet cafes and some hotels also provide facilities.

Telegram
Since the abolition of the inland telegram service in the UK, the Costa Rican Government Telegram Company will not accept telegrams destined for the UK.

Post
Airmail letters to Western Europe usually take between six and 10 days.

Press
Daily newspapers printed in Spanish include Diario Extra, El Heraldo, La Nacin, La Prensa Libre and La Repblica. One weekly paper is printed in English – The Tico Times.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.