Costa Rica is a small country, imbued with beautiful landscapes and natural wealth, where the standard of living and the kindness of Costa Ricans come together to make visitors feel at home. 
 

The country covers 51.100 square kilometers. This little piece of land (representing barely a 0.3% of the planet 's total surface) houses 5% of global biodiversity. It holds more bird species than the United States, and a grater variety of butterflies than Africa. These facts thus justify the international recognition earned by this Central American Nation of 4 millions inhabitants. 

Living in diverse habitats and ecosystems are13 thousand plant species, 2000 moth and 4500 butterfly species, 163 kinds of amphibians, 220 types of reptiles, 1600 classes of fresh and salt water fish, and a least 850 sorts of birds. 

The extensive landscape also boats many types of forests such as deciduous, mangrove swamps, rain forest, herbaceous ponds, cloud forest, moors, palm groves, oak woods, coral reefs, riparian forests and swamp groves. 

This, however, is not everything regarding the natural environment. There are many areas of great interest and beauty like volcanoes, several of which are active and produce relaxing thermal waters. There are deep caves to explore and Pre-Columbian settlements that serve to study Meso-American archaeology. These are all part of a vast system of 22 national parks, 9 wildlife refuges, 13 biological reserves and 24 protected zones. Covering 25% of the national territory.  This immense protected diversity, in such a small country, is what impresses most tourists throughout their visit. 

The government is currently trying to rescue and preserve this prodigal nature by implementing sustainable development policies that foster the adequate use of natural resources. An example of the State's protagonism protecting nature resources is the Sustainable Development proclamation made between Costa Rica and the United States of America during President Clinton's visit to the country in 1997. This statement calls upon all nations of the planet to promote policies leading to balance economic and social development, in harmony with nature. 

Bathed by the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica borders on the North with Nicaragua and on the South with Panama. Its geographic distribution consists of seven provinces: San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago,are all in the Central Valley, while Puntarenas and Guasnacaste are on the Pacific Coast, and Limón on the Atlantic.

Depending on the area, temperatures average 24.9° in the lowlands,16.3°in the highlands and 20°in the Central Valley. 

Since 1917 the nation has been applying the public education system, free and mandatory, that contributed to enhance the citizens educational and cultural level. There are more than 4000 public schools, and the literacy rate is an impressive 93%. 

In 1987, Mr. Oscar Arias, then President of the Republic and promoter of the Central American Peace Plan, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In October 1989 the country celebrated the Centennial of Costa Rica Democracy. The event was crowned by the Hemispheric Summit, gathering the rulers from the whole American continent, hosted by President Arias. This magnificent event took place in the historical Democracy Square, built especially for that occasion, and which stands today as a monument to such an important date.  Costa Rica enjoys an open election system. Every four years, hundreds of thousands of citizens, favoring the different political parties, go out into the streets with party flags and T-shirts, playing music and honking horns, and go to vote, in what is certainly a real electoral celebration.

It is worth mentioning that slavery was abolished in 1823, the last execution took place in 1859, and the death penalty was officially banned in 1883. 

In San Jose, in November 1969, the American Convention on Human Rights, also know as the San José Pact, was signed. The country is the site of the Interamerican Court of Human Rights, an entity which ensures compliance with the provisions set forth in the Convention. 

Health and Well-being Costa Rica enjoys one of the highest levels of social well-being in Latin America. Evidence of this are some statistics: life expectancy is 76 years, child mortality is 4 per thousand, illiteracy is 7%, per capita income $2.700, and the unemployment rate is 6.2 %.  The country has a healthcare system comprised of both the public and the private sectors, both of excellent quality. Hospital service coverage and infrastructure is very good. There is currently a network of around 2000 hospitals, clinics and health centers.

Tourism Over the last few years Costa Rica has become a true paradise for tourism. This activity has recently taken over the first place as foreingn currency generator. Only in 1998 nine hundred thousand foreigners came to the country from all corners of the globe, but especially from the United States, Canada and Europe.  There is an entity the I.C.T or "Instituto Costarricense de Turismo" ( Costa Rican Tourist Bureau), that regulates and promotes the Tourist industry in the country. This government institution has many visitors information centers spread throughout the territory.