Before its discovery in 1502 by Christopher Columbus, Costa Rica was already a thriving civilization. Four tribes inhabited the countryside of Costa Rica--the Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas and Diquis--giving Costa Rica a population of several hundred thousand.
Following the Columbus expedition, other explorers came to Costa Rica, bringing with them small pox and other diseases, which wiped out several native people.
Currently, the Costa Rican population is made up of a majority of Spanish heritage. Less than 5 percent of the population can claim people from the original four tribes as their ancestors.
Costa Rica is made up of a primarily mountainous terrain. Included in the famed Pacific "Rim of Fire," Costa Rica is home to seven active volcanoes that cause occasional tremors.
The country's western side consists of the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean; to the east lies the Caribbean Sea.
For a country that is comparable to the size of West Virginia, housing a population of over 4 million people makes things a little crowded.
Costa Rica features breathtaking beaches made up of black and white sand. Hidden within the thick jungles are an astounding 800 different species of ferns, thousands of varieties of trees and hundreds of animal species. Some of the animals that inhabit Costa Rica are pumas, jaguars, sloths, toucans, monkeys and crocodiles.
Costa Rica has a stable economy, held together by agriculture and tourism. If you are planning to visit Costa Rica, or even relocate there, plan on the cost of basic necessities being equal to that of the United States. Phone service is not always available, and cell service is sporadic if you are away from highly populated locations.
Travel to Costa Rica is safe. Unlike the majority of tropical climates, Costa Rica is not plagued with deadly mosquito transmitted diseases. However, you should always take preventative measures to avoid being menaced by mosquito bites.
