CostaRicaFrank

On the Río Savegre, just below San Gerardo de Dota in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica.

This is one crazy Costa Rican soccer fan!

this is a political map of Costa Rica

Costa Rica's national anthem: SPANISH LYRICS Noble patria tu hermosa bandera Expresión de tu vida nos da: Bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo Blanca y pura descansa la paz. En la lucha tenaz de fecunda labor Que enrojece del hombre la faz, Conquistaron tus hijos, labriegos sencillos, Eterno prestigio, estima y honor, eterno prestigio, estima y honor. ¡Salve oh tierra gentil! ¡Salve oh madre de amor! Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar, Verás a tu pueblo, valiente y viril La tosca herramienta en arma trocar. ¡Salve patria! tu pródigo suelo Dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; Bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo ¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz! --- ENGLISH TRANSLATION Noble homeland, your beautiful flag Express for us your life: Under the limpid blue of your skies, Peace reigns, white and pure. In the tenacious battle of fruitful toil, That brings a glow to men's faces, Your sons, simple farm hands, Gained eternal renown, esteem and honour, Gained eternal renown, esteem and honour. Hail, gentle country! Hail, loving mother! If anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory, You will see your people, valiant and virile, Exchange their rustic tools for weapons. Hail, O homeland! Your prodigal soil Gives us sweet sustenance and shelter. Under the limpid blue of your sky, May peaceful labour ever continue.

Here are some [|facts on Costa Rica] : 51,100 sq km - total area the religions - Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8% Spanish is the official language, but english is also spoken they got independence from Spain on September 15, 1821 there are only 157 airports in all of Costa Rica they have 1,290 km. of coast line the highest point in Costa Rica is Cerro Chirripo at 3,810

[|CLIMATE] : Because Costa Rica is only about 8 degrees north of the equator, they have tropical weather all year round. Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much it rains during a particular period. The year can be easily split into two periods. These two periods are what is known to the residents as Verano, summer and Invierno , winter. The verano season is from December to May, and is the time of year when it is not as wet. Invierno is the period from May to November, and during this time, in many locations, it rains constantly.

Different aspects of[|Culture]: People in Costa Rica speak american english, but like most Central American countries, over the years the have made a distinct pattern in their [|language].

Catholicism is the main [|religon of Costa rica.] There are several religious festivals in the country but the most important is the tradition known as //La Romería// in which people from all over the country walk every August 2nd from their home to a cathedral dedicated to the Virgin in the city of Cartago.

[|Costa Rican music] includes a rythen known as tambito as well as a distinctive musical genre,called Punto.Two examples are the //punto guanacasteco//, which hails from Guanacaste Province, and the punto sancarleñ [|Sports]: Costa Rica has a large variaty of sports and recreational activities. These include Tennis, Soccer (Futbol), Surfing, White Water Rafting, Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Scuba Diving, and Water Skiing. Soccer is Costa Rica's main sport.

[|Government:] Costa Rica's government is a Presidential Representative Democratic Republic. The president has two vice presidents, and is elected for a four year term. The Legislative Assembly has 57 members and are elected for four year terms by proportional representation in each of the countrie's seven provinces.

This is the[|flag or Costa Rica]. The blue color stands for the sky, opportunities, idealism and perseverance. The white color stands for peace, wisdom and happiness. The red color stands for the blood spilt by martyrs for independence, as well as the warmth and generosity of the people. This is the [|coat of arms of Costa Rica]. The boat represents the Carribean sea and the Pacific ocean. The three mountains represent the three major mountain ranges in Cost Rica. The seven stars represent the seven provinces of Costa Rica.

here are two beautiful Costa Rican sunsets

[|TIME LINE:] 1821- independance from spain 1849-1859 - under the leadership of Juan Refael Mora, Costa rica takes the lead in organizing central american resistance against [|William Walker], the US adventurer who took over Nicaragua in 1855 1870-1882 - Under the leadership of [|Tomas Guardia] Costa Rica encourages intensive foreign investment in railways 1917 - [|Frederico Tinoco] ousts the elected president, Alfredo Gonzalez, but is himself deposed two years later. 1949 - New constitution gives women and people of African descent the right to vote; armed forces abolished and replaced by civil guard; [|Jose Figueres Ferrer], co-founder of[|National Liberation Party] (PLN), elected president and begins ambitious socialist programme, including introducing a social security system and nationalising banks. 1985 - US-trained anti-guerrilla force begins operating following clashes with Sandinista troops. 1986 - [|Oscar Arias Sanchez] (PLN) elected president on a neutral platform 1994 - Jose Maria Figueres Olsen (PLN) elected president. 1998 - [|Miguel Angel Rodriguez] (PUSC) elected president. 2000 - President Rodriguez and his Nicaraguan counterpart resolve long-standing dispute over navigation along San Juan river, which serves as their border. 2005 January - National emergency declared as days of heavy rain lead to serious flooding along the Caribbean coast. 2006 February-March - Presidential election ends in a neck-and-neck race between Oscar Arias and [|Otton Solis]. Mr Solis concedes defeat after a manual count and legal challenges. 2006 October - Two-day public workers strike is held in protest at free trade deal with the US. Costa Rica is the only country in the region that has yet to ratify the [|Central American Free Trade Agreement] (Cafta).