The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-31
SAYS COSTA RIGA
Is FERTILE FIELD
Consul General de Almar Tells
Opportunities for American
Business Men.
HAS THREE CLIMATES
Boil Is Rich and Mines Produc-
tive in "Switzerland Of Con-
trail America"
ny A. M. DE ALMAR,

k1sasui-GenerdI Of Costa Ricd IN Nep Pork.
I Specially written for The SUM-"
We desire TO forget all past political
sentiments when writing in behalf of the
universal welfare, and consequently we
etall endeavor to present briefly this
little country to tho business men In its
real aspect of business.
Costa Rica, the Switzerland OF Central
America, as II Is generally called by
S,urists and business men, offers. be-
cause of its natural privileged resources.
the best opportunities and greatest
facilities to the capitalist. entrepreneur
or tourist
The little country Is wonderfully
Hituated between the republics OF Panama
and Nicaragua and the Pacific and At
'lantic oceans, with an area Of moro than
10000 square miles. The exuberant
fertility of the land. the enormous
riches in mining products and its three
different climates-tropic, temperate
ard cold-are natural conditions which
make the little country the really ideal
place for the farmer or entrepreneur for
the development of large and profitable
business.
Coffee and Bananas Exported.
Costa Rica is an exceptional agricul-
tural country. Coffee and bananas are the
principal export products OF the country
both being cultivated on a very large
scale. The best lands suitable for the
cultivation of coffee are located in the
central plateau: this coffee Is considered
ono Of the best obtainable.
Tho rich lands OF the Atlantic offer
y vast resource for the cultivation Of
bananas, OF which Costa Rica exports
m average of 10000. 900 punches yearly
Cocoa and cocoanut trees are important
products grown In the torrid zone Of
both oceans. Tho cultivation OF the
sugar cane cannot be overlooked. First
class sugar cane Is obtained IN Costa
Rica and at much lower prices than IN
Cuba.
A considerable amount OF land is
suitable for the cultivation OF wheat,
barley and all kinds of cereals. Accord
ing to the latest reports the results OBJ
tAined by the cultivation OF wheat have
been most satisfactory. Rice and other
grains are easy to cultivate ard with
these also the best results have been
obtained. Tobacco Is also cultivated. but
only on a small scale.
There Is a vast field IN Costa Rica
for the future development OF the cult
walton Of hbres such rs heneQuen. ca
buya- rainier, Inalva. &C. Cotton grows
~ we'll as in many other countries and
very good results have been obtained.
VII SeeuS suCT as castor OIL, COrOZO
and others are OF easy cultivation there.
First quality timber can be obtained
IN all the woodlands OF the republic.
Its mahogany. cedar, cocoboio and other
hardwoods md great demand In the
markets. Balsa, a light and soft wood
In big demand. 10 obtainable in large
quantities
Special attention 10 given to the cattle
raising industry in the high regions and
AlGn In n "
and Pacific coasts, where large numbers
Of cattle can be fattened IN the splendid.
natural grazing lands. Sheep can BE-
raised with great advantage In the high
lands.
Has own Commercial Habits.
Costa Rica (litsrally "rich coast')
b q dreamy little country. Tho ma
5ority OF Americans are ignorant OF the
many advantages which the land offers
TO business men. Costa Rica, as well
rs many other Latin American coun-
cries. due to It's long relations with
the exporting firms OF Europe, has ac-
quired peculiar commercial habits which
are not capable OF rapid alteration and
TO which American exporters have not
been abls to adapt themselves on ac-
count OF the rigidity and infeubllity
Of their methods.
Regarding the sltuatlon OF Iosta MOS
technically an ally OF the United States
In the world war, Costa Ricans hope
that the representation OF the little
4 country at the Peace Conference will not
\ be neglected According TO the demo-
cratic doctrines Of prominent nanda-
tories, Costa Rica, although she is a
little country, must be considered as a
nation which offers many advantages
TO the world in many respects and
must reap also every benefit from the
treaties of the League OF Nations. which
no doubt will be q guarantee of the
! sovereignty and commercial stability OF
progressive nations, no matter whether
they are powerful or small"