Costa Rica in Facts

Location: Costa Rica is the southernmost country in Central America, immediately north of Panama, with ports in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and 153 highway miles between them. Located in the middle of the American Continent, air and ocean freight transportation services are provided to major American, Mexican, Central American, South American and Caribbean ports and cities. This makes the country a superb location and strategic base for world markets, especially for the distribution of products to the Caribbean basin region.

Area: 51,000 Square kilometers (19,652 sq. miles)

Capital City: San José (pop. 1 million).

Airport: The main airport is located in Alajuela, only 10 miles from downtown San José. Liberia, at the northwest in Guanacaste, has the Daniel Oduber International Airport.

Political Environment Traditional and stable democracy. Army abolished in 1949.

Political structure: Three powers

1.Executive: President and Ministers 2.Legislative: 57 elected Representatives. 3.Judiciary.

Other Information: Presidential term: 4 years. President: Dr. Oscar Arias (2006 - 2010). Business environment and legal framework open to foreign investment. Stable political and economic environments. Lowest risk rating in Latin America.

Population 2007: 4.5 million Official language: Spanish. Density: 181 inhabitants per square mile (69.7 inhabitants per square kilometer) Major metropolitan center: San José (population: 1 million). By Sex: Men: 50.10% Women: 49.90%

Living Standard Indicators Life expectancy: 76.8 years Literacy rate: 94.7% Total Student Population (Primary & Secondary): 872 167 Dwelling Density: 39.9 per sq. mile Public health services coverage: 90.4% of population. Educational Institutions: 6147 Access to telephone service: 92% of population.

According to AACCLA, Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, Costa Rica's labor force has been rated as the most productive and fast learning in Latin America.

According to the United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) for 1999, Costa Rica has one of the highest ratings for quality of human resources among developing nations:

United States of America 0.927 # 3 Singapore 0.888 # 22 COSTA RICA 0.801 # 45 Mexico 0.783 # 50 Malaysia 0.768 # 56 Thailand 0.753 # 67

Living Conditions Costa Rica offers a wonderful climate, with average temperatures of 21C (70 degrees F) in the Central Valley, making it ideal for executive family living.

The capital, San José, is a bustling metropolis of one million inhabitants. Elegant residential areas are within a 10- to 30-minute drive from downtown. San José also offers:

Modern shopping malls and supermarkets which carry diverse products and services. Gourmet restaurants and luxurious hotels that add to the nightlife. The magnificent National Theater, which presents cultural events throughout the year.

Costa Rica's primary and secondary school system includes superb English, French and German private schools.

Physicians include specialists in nearly all the medical sciences. Many doctors have been trained in US and European hospitals.

Golf, tennis, swimming and squash are among the recreational options. Sport fishing is another exciting leisure activity.

Costa Rica's Pacific and Caribbean coasts are outlined by dazzling beaches, offering luxurious beach resorts or idyllic, almost deserted hideaways, some less than two hours away from San José.

Enjoy the Caribbean coast's 570-hectare (1,400-acre) coral reef, swarming with thousands of brilliantly colored fish, and travel through the dense jungle along a 130 Km (80 mile) canal system.

Access to nature is always nearby, with 29 national parks covering 525,000 hectares (1.3 million acres), or 10.3 percent of the country.

Exploring & Enjoying Nature People from all nationalities travel to Costa Rica to explore and enjoy its natural attractions.

The country has a larger proportion of its national territory devoted to National Parks than any other country in the world. Most National Parks are easily accessible by car. You can actually drive to the edge of a volcanic crater, or walk through small paths in awesome virgin rainforests. Several books and guides have been published on the subject, in both English and Spanish.

Serious international fishermen regularly visit the Tortuguero Canals to fish for tarpon, or the Guanacaste seacoast, for marlin and sailfish. More than 1,242 miles (2,000 Km) of tranquil, uncrowded beaches are excellent for water sports or just plain relaxation.

Leisure Activities Nightlife ranges from small jazz and Latin song clubs, to concerts in the magnificent National Theater. Since dancing is one of Costa Ricans' favorite pastimes, discotheques and tropical dance halls are numerous. Fine dining meets international standards, with a dominance of French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.

Due to its European cultural base, Costa Rica stands out as an art center. The National Symphonic Orchestra, one of the best of Latin America, plays over 60 concerts per year. San José has a full-year theater season; with at least a half dozen plays to choose from, including productions in English at the Eugene O'Neill Theater. There are numerous dance studios, professional dance companies and two annual modern dance festivals with local and foreign groups. Museums are visited by thousands of people, mostly to see archaeological treasures. Contemporary sculpture and painting are developing at a fast pace, with Costa Rican artists increasingly present in the international art scenario.

Economic Indicators

GDP 1998 in millions of US$: $10,481 Per capita GDP (1998): $3,135 Export growth 1998: 30.6% Import growth 1998: 27.0% Devaluation rate 1998: 11.0% Inflation rate 1998: 12.4% Inflation rate 1999*: 12.0% * July 1999 Estimate

Industries Electronics, food processing, apparel, construction materials, plastic products.

Main Imports $6.3 billion: petroleum, machinery, industrial capital goods, durable consumer goods, chemicals, and foodstuffs.

Main Exports Total goods: $5.5 billion: electronic components, textiles, bananas, coffee, pineapples, telephone equipment, medicines, fish and seafood, etc.

Major revenue generator in 1998: Electric circuits and microstructures, with US$ 957.0 millions (total exports, not only added value). Second revenue generator: Tourism, with US$ 829.7 million. Tourist arrivals in 1998: 942 thousand.

Globalization Full member of the WTO. Costa Rican products enter the United States free of duties under the CBI. Free Trade Agreement with Mexico. Full member of the Central American Common Market. Active involvement in the implementation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.