LocationCentral America.
Area51,100 sq km (19,730 sq miles).
Population4.1 million (CIA estimate 2004).
Population Density80.8 per sq km.
CapitalSan José.
Population: 346,799 (official estimate 2006) (Province of San José: 1.4 million).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
LanguageSpanish is the official language. English is widely spoken. Some French, German and Italian is also spoken.
ReligionAlmost entirely Christian,
with Roman Catholic majority.
TimeGMT - 6.
Electricity110 volts AC, 60Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.
Head of StatePresident Oscar Arias Sanchez since 2006.
Recent HistoryNobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez won the presidential elections held in February 2006 after campaigning to overturn a ban on individuals serving two presidential terms. The election on 5 February became Costa Rica’s hardest-fought vote in the last four decades. Mr Arias is committed to taking Costa Rica into a controversial free trade pact with the United States but has maintained the nation’s traditional pacifist stance as an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, while also committing more government funds to education.
TelephoneCountry code: 506. There are no area codes.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with some countries. Handsets can be hired, although this can be difficult and time-consuming (website:
www.ice.go.cr). Costa Rica employs both GSM and TDMA systems. The state telephone company ICE has a monopoly on service, which is available throughout much of the nation except remote mountain regions.
InternetThere are Internet cafes throughout the country, and most tourist hotels also provide facilities.
MediaCosta Rica has nine major newspapers, several private and public TV stations, and a busy FM radio scene. Cable TV is widely available. Costa Rica enjoys near total freedom of media, although the major dailies are considered to be conservative.
PostAirmail letters to Western Europe usually take between at least 10 days; those to North America take at least one week.
Press• Daily newspapers printed in Spanish include
Al Día,
Diario Extra,
El Heraldo,
La Nacion,
La Prensa Libre and
La República.
• The
Tico Times is a weekly newspaper published in English.
Radio•
Radio Reloj is a popular national radio.
•
Radio Columbia and
Radio Monumental are news and talk stations.
•
Radio Eco is a news station.
•
Radio Faro del Caribe is a religious station.
•
Radio Uno and
Radio Dos are commercial stations.
• Radio Universidad plays classical music.
• Radio Rock is the only English-speaking station and has news and rock music.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10-13 Apr Easter.
11 Apr Juan Santamaría's Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 Jul Guanacaste Annexation.
2 Aug Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica*.
15 Aug Mothers' Day and Assumption.
15 Sep Independence Day.
12 Oct Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)*.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2-5 Apr Easter.
10 Apr Juan Santamaría's Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 Jul Guanacaste Annexation.
2 Aug Virgin of Los Angeles, Feast of Patroness of Costa Rica*.
15 Aug Mothers' Day and Assumption.
15 Sep Independence Day.
11 Oct Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)*.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
* Not legally binding.
NoteMost businesses close for the whole of Holy Week and between Christmas and New Year.
Contact Information:Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)Costado Este del Puente Juan Pablo II, Sobre Autopista General Cañas, San José, Costa Rica
Tel: 299 5800/11
or 1 866 343 6332 (in the USA).
Website:
www.visitcostarica.comEmbassy and Consulate of the Republic of Costa Rica in the UKFlat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH, UK
Tel: (020) 7706 8844.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1500 (embassy); 1000-1300 (consulate).
Website:
http://costarica.embassyhomepage.comEmbassy of the Republic of Costa Rica in the USA2114 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 234 2945
or 328 6628 (consular enquiries).
Website:
www.costarica-embassy.org
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