The first humans arrived in Costa Rica around 12,000 years ago. These early settlers were hunter-gatherers who lived in small bands. They migrated to Costa Rica from North and South America.
Around 3,000 years ago, agriculturalists began to arrive in Costa Rica. These farmers came from the Andean region of South America and brought with them crops such as maize, beans, and squash. The agriculturalists settled in the Central Valley and the Pacific coast.
Colonial migrations
The Spanish arrived in Costa Rica in 1502. They established a colony in 1524. The Spanish colonists brought with them European plants and animals, as well as their culture and language. The Spanish also imported African slaves to work on their plantations.
19th-century migrations
In the 19th century, Costa Rica experienced a number of migrations. These migrations were due to a variety of factors, including political instability, economic opportunity, and religious freedom.
One of the most significant migrations to Costa Rica in the 19th century was the arrival of European settlers. These settlers came from Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. They settled in the Central Valley and the Pacific coast.
Another important migration to Costa Rica in the 19th century was the arrival of Chinese immigrants. These immigrants came from Guangdong province in China. They settled in the Caribbean lowlands and worked on the banana plantations.
20th-century migrations
In the 20th century, Costa Rica continued to experience migrations. These migrations were due to a variety of factors, including political instability, economic opportunity, and environmental disasters.
One of the most significant migrations to Costa Rica in the 20th century was the arrival of Nicaraguan refugees. These refugees fled Nicaragua due to the civil war in that country.
Another important migration to Costa Rica in the 20th century was the arrival of Colombian immigrants. These immigrants came from Colombia due to the violence in that country.
