COSTA RICA BY: SEAN CORNETT

ECONOMY COSTA RICA

INCOME Tourism accounts for the main source of income. Many tourists visit Costa Rica because of it's protected environment and beautiful scenery.

EXPORTS Bananas and coffee were the primary exports but recently pineapples have surpassed them both. Half of the investments come from the United States. Del Monte, Chiquita, and Dole represent almost the entire banana and pineapple business.

STATISTICS GDP per capita: $10,200 USD GNP: $19 billion USD 16% of the population live below the poverty line. 7.8% is unemployed. 1 colón = USD Slow, steady increase in the economy after a four-year recession.

Despite prior thoughts, Costa Rica has recently emerged as one of the safest place for foreign investment. FOREIGN INVESTMENT

DEBT Ranked 168/215 countries with debt/surpluses based on the country's GDP. 5% in debt based on the GDP of billion USD

RESOURCES Due to the location 26% of the people rely on fishing as a profession. Recently the government has given the United States permission for oil exploration, but many are against it because of the environmental concerns.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Costa Rica is border by Nicargua to the North and Panama to the south. It has six different zones and is slightly smaller than West Virginia.

CLIMATE Tropical and subtropical climate in the lowlands Rainy season: May to November Dry season: December to March Climate is cooler in the mountain region.

BEACHES There are 1290 km of coastline in Costa Rica. This makes the beaches a very popular spot for tourism.

ENVIRONMENT Deforestation is an issue because of clearing the land for cattle ranching and agriculture. Fisheries are protected in order to keep the fishing industry alive. Use renewable energy sources to reduce CO2 emissions.

CULTURE

CUISINE Cuisine often includes huge portions, coffee, and fruit. Carbs are a huge part of the meals in order to make up for the lack of meats. Ceviche is very popular, especially on the coasts.

RICE AND BEANS Rice and beans are apart of every meal. At breakfast they are left over rice and beans mixed with onions called gallo pinto. At lunch and dinner, they are served separately called casado.

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAYS Sun festival- weeklong celebration of the Mayan calendar new year. San Jose day- celebrate Saint Joseph: March 19 Independence Day- September 15 Dio de Los inocentes- version of Day of the Dead Festival de las luces- month long Christmas celebration

WOMEN Women earned the same rights as men and are treated equally. Human trafficking is a problem for women.

MARRIAGE Weddings are family affairs. Casados are a very common food choice because it literally means marriage.

DEMOGRAPHICS Mestizo (white): 83.6% Mulatto: 6.7% Indigenous: 2.4% African descent: 1.1% Other: 4.5%

RELIGION Roman Catholic: 76.3% Evangelical: 13.7% Jehovah Witness: 1.3% Other: 5.5% Not affiliated: 3.2%

RECREATION Visiting beaches. Canopy tours in rain and cloud forests. Zip lining. Hiking through the national park system. Visiting volcanoes. Scuba diving and sport fishing. Whitewater rafting and kayaking.

PURA VIDA Literally means "pure life." It means that the people want to live peacefully and have eternal optimism.