1. Costa Rica By: Megan Gill

2. Basic Facts Formal Name: Republic of Costa Rica Population: 4,016,173 (July 2005) Capital: Religion: Roman Catholic San Government: Democratic José Republic Total Area: 51,022 sq. kilometers (smaller than West Virginia) Ethnicity: 94% White, 3% Black, 1% Chinese, 1% Amerindian, 1% other

3. Independence Day Gained Independence from Spain on September 15, 1821

4. Success Story Costa Rica is an exception within the region because of its stable democratic tradition. -The most democratic country in Central Latin America -Only two brief periods of violence have spoiled its democratic development

5. Political Parties Before 1948- -the Reform Party founded in 1921 -Communist Party founded in 1931 changed its name to the Popular Vanguard Party in 1943 After Civil War- National Libertarian Party (PLN)- Dominate Party from 1947- 1998 Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)- founded in 1983

6. Election & Civil War of 1948 Election of ’48- Utilio Ulate elected to office -President Picado refused to step down from office - said that election was a fraud -thus giving Don Pepe the perfect time to attack Civil War lead by Jose Figueres (a.k.a. Don Pepe) -Lasted for 5 weeks -2,000 Costa Rican’s died

7. 1949 Constitution All citizens are guaranteed equality before the law Right to own property, to petition and assembly Freedom of speech Right of habeas corpus Divided the government into independent executive, legislative and judicial branches Abolished Military Gave women the right to vote Reduced voting age to 20 (1971- reduced to 18) Gave full citizenship & rights to the black population Nationalized Banks and insurance companies Created the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones

8. Role of the Military Abolished army in 1940’s Constitution prohibits formation

9. National Elections First Sunday in February every 4 years To participate in a national election, a party must submit a petition with 3,000 signatures of registered voters. Presidential candidate must receive 40% of the votes cast; if no candidate achieves this than a runoff election is held 2 months later by the 2 candidates who received the most votes. President assumes office on May 8 th ; 3 months after election

10. Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) A permanent independent body that controls & administers the election machinery. Made up of 3 magistrates and 3 alternates –Selected at staggered intervals of 6 yrs. by a 2/3 vote of the Supreme Court of Justice –Requirements include a law degree & 10 years of legal experience

11. Civil Liberties & Human Rights Civil liberties enacted w/ the 1949 Constitution -Freedom of Press, Speech, & Assembly Human Rights are highly respected - Rarely violations are heard about

12. Role of Public Education Literacy Population: 96% In 1869 education became both free and obligatory, funded by the state’s share of the great coffee wealth 28% of national budget spent on the countries 4,000 schools A charge of $20 a year to go to school Most students go to college on scholarships

13. Future Elections The next general elections are February 5, 2006. Surveys say the distribution of votes support two candidates Oscar Arias, former president and Nobel Peace Prize 1987, from the National Liberation Party (PLN), and Ottón Solís candidate of the “Partido Acción Ciudadana” (PAC).