1. Costa Rica Shelby Weiss

2. Location Costa Rica is located in Central America This country is bordered by: Nicaragua (to the North) Panama (to the East and South) Pacific Ocean (to the West and South) Caribbean Sea (to the East)

3. Geography Located 10⁰ N of the equator and 84⁰ W of the Prime Meridian Costa Rica is made up of 51,100 square kilometres Costa Rica occupies 1,290 kilometres of coastline Largest lake: Lake Arenal Largest Volcano: Irazu Volcano

4. Government Costa Rica is a democratic republic One of the most sure governments because it had 59 years of only democracy A Republic with 3 powers: President Legislative Assembly (Legislative Power) Supreme Court (Judicial Power) By constitution, Costa Rica has no military

5. Money 4th highest inflation rate in Latin America Inflation rate- the rise of the prices on goods and services Colón -> unit of currency Trades 575 for the US Dollar Tax Exemptions are offered Numerous gambling casinos are in Costa Rica, as well as a national lottery

6. Natural Resources 3 main cash crops: Bananas Pineapples Coffee Said to be the first Carbon Neural county by 2021 The “greenest” country in the world

7. School Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Latin America: 97% Public education is guaranteed for every student Schools are found in almost every community Primary education is required, and both preschool and high school are free Diplomas are earned in 11th grade Few schools go beyond the 12th grade level There are colleges available at both the state and private levels Public universities are often considered the better decision

8. Family Very high rate of single-mothers Traditions with the family are from birth until death Family traditions: Baptisms Communions Engagement Weddings funerals Most kids live at home until they get married Leaving for college or to gain ones independence is very rare

9. Tourist Attractions Arenal National Park Home of the most active volcano in Costa Rica Tortuguero National Park Observe the different species of turtles in Costa Rica Kayak or Canoe through the lagoons and canals that run through the park Manuel Antonio National Park Smallest park in Costa Rica Close to the beaches Sailing Corvocado National Park The most ecologically diverse park in the Country Great place for camping or for anyone who likes wildlife

10. Tourist Attractions Cartago- Our Lady of Los Angeles Church Most famous church in Costa Rica Famous for the statue of the Virgin (La Negrita), the Virgin associated with the statue is the patron saint of Costa Rica Central Pacific Coast- Rainmaker Suspension bridges that run through the rainforest canopy The bridges are 820 ft long and reach as high as 25 stories Orosi- Orosi Church & Religious Museum Built in the 18th Century Features many altars and shrines that are carved from wood Also features a museum which includes art and relics from colonial history

11. History Christopher Colombus was the first person to come in contact with Costa Rica on September 18, 1502 There is believed to have been life for about 10,000 years before Christopher Colombus found Costa Rica About 400,000 Indians were estimated to have inhabited this land during that period Gained its independence in 1821 Became a republic in 1848

12. Food The food in Costa Rica is very healthy Cheese is rarely used Meals are always served with either a fruit or a vegetable and are very high in fiber Standard dish: black beans and rice Gallo Pinto

13. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica#Education http://www.tropical-island-vacation.net/costa-rica-tourist-attractions.html http://www.planetware.com/top-tourist-attractions/costa-rica-crc.htm http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-information/costa-rica-food.html http://www.infocostarica.com/culture/traditions.html Haynes, Tricia. Costa Rica. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999. Print.