About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small, mountainous country on the narrow Central American isthmus.
It has been a stable and democratic country since 1949 when it abolished its military. Since then, the government and people of Costa Rica have chosen to focus resources on education, social programs and economic development. Although the country is deeply tied to its agricultural roots, Costa Ricans are fast to embrace new technology in the more urban centers of the country. The eco-tourism of the country attracts visitors from around the world. Information about Costa Rica is readily available in book stores and libraries.
Costa Rica enjoys just two seasons: rainy and dry. The dry season occurs from December to April, and the rainy season from May to November. The temperatures remain the same all year round, and do not vary much with the change in seasons. In the lowlands, daytime temperatures range from the 80s to 90s Fahrenheit. The middle elevations usually stay in the 70s, but the temperature can fall into the 40s to 50s.
Costa Rica is host to a set of ecosystems that produce an incredible diversity in plant and animal life. The "Cloud Forest" on the mountains, with their constantly wet surfaces, fosters the growth of orchids, bromeliads, ferns and many other plants.The famous rain forest of Costa Rica occur in the foothills and lowlands. These forests are home to thousands of known and yet-to-be-discovered forms of life. Life in the sea surrounding Costa Rica rivals the biodiversity found on land and makes possible a thriving business in sport fishing.
Costa Rica boasts 850 different bird species, plus monkeys, coatimundis, turtles, peccaries, butterflies, parrots, armadillos, sloths, deer, squirrels and bats. Reptiles that are commonly seen in the forest include iguanas, and various species of lizards. Within this beautiful country rests enough wildlife to please any manner of nature lover.
