

Topic: Introduction
Background: Costa Rica proclaimed its independence from the United Provinces of central America in 1838.  Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country’s democratic development. Its standard of living is relatively high and land ownership is widespread.Costa Rica proclaimed its independence from the United Provinces of central America in 1838.  Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country’s democratic development. Its standard of living is relatively high and land ownership is widespread.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 51,100 sq km

land: 51,060 sq km

water: 40 sq km
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Natural resources: hydropower

Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,204,411 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Religions: Roman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.01% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: San Jose
Executive branch: chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: trade-based upper middle-income economy; green economy leader, having reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; declining poverty until hard impacts of COVID-19; lingering inequality and growing government debts have prompted a liquidity crisistrade-based upper middle-income economy; green economy leader, having reversed deforestation; investing in blue economy infrastructure; declining poverty until hard impacts of COVID-19; lingering inequality and growing government debts have prompted a liquidity crisis
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $100.25 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $19,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice
Industries: medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Exports: $21.2 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2019)
Imports: $19.39 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019)Page last updated: Tuesday, May 17, 2022