Country Gees

In 2006, Costa Rica was a small Central American nation located between Nicaragua and Panama with a population of approximately 4.5 million people. According to constructmaterials, it was a democratic republic headed by President Oscar Arias and Vice President Laura Chinchilla. Since gaining independence from Spain in 1821, the country had made considerable progress in building its economy and infrastructure. The country’s primary sources of income were tourism and agriculture, but services were growing steadily due to increased foreign investment from around the world. Poverty and inequality were still prevalent, with nearly 20% of the population living below the poverty line. Despite this, access to education had improved since 2000 with primary school attendance rate increasing from approximately 80% to over 90% by 2006. Additionally, economic growth had been steady since 2000 due to increased foreign investment from around the world. Tourism was also increasing as more people became aware of Costa Rica’s unique culture and landscapes including San Jose City, Manuel Antonio National Park and Poas Volcano National Park.

Yearbook 2006

Costa Rica. Following a dramatic vote counting process by hand, Oscar Arias and PLN (Partido Liberación Nacional) were declared in February to have won the presidential election over Ottón Solís and PAC (Partido Acción Ciudadana). According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Costa Rica include Independence Day (September 15) and New Year (January 1). The victory margin was the most scarce ever in a Latin American election, but Arias, who was president of Costa Rica 1986-90 and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his efforts for peace in Central America, reached the 40 percent threshold, making a second round of redundancy unnecessary. The election results, incidentally, were somewhat surprising as opinion polls had shown a satisfactory takeover for Arias of around 20%. One reason for Solí’s strong election results was considered to be a general dissatisfaction with the free trade agreement concluded by the outgoing government with the United States. The turnout was only 65%, which was a record low for being in Costa Rica.

At the February 1982 parliamentary elections, Luis Alberto Monge won from the PLN’s right wing. Upon his accession, he declared his affiliation with “the western democracies” and called for accuracy. At the same time, the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras were approached and relations with the Sandinist regime in Nicaragua were cut off.

The US trade boycott against Nicaragua animated to deepen the hostile attitude towards the neighboring country. The relationship between the two countries reached a critical point in July and August 1985, following a series of episodes in the border region. Thanks to a quick response from the CONTADORA group, they managed to cushion the mutants; both governments accepted the presence of neutral observers at the border between the two countries; the observers should act as exhortators in the event of a recurrence of the episodes.

The solution to the aggravated economic crisis and the threat of a regional conflict in the area were the pillars of the Social Democratic presidential candidate, Oscar Arias’ election campaign; he surprisingly won the February 1986 election with 52% of the vote.

Arias presented a peace plan in August 1987 at a meeting held in Esquipulas, Guatemala; the plan was approved and signed by the presidents of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. The main point of the agreement was the introduction of a ceasefire at the same time in Nicaragua and El Salvador, the cessation of US aid to the “contra” in Nicaragua, a “democratization plan” for Nicaragua, which would allow free elections and make an end to the use of third countries as bases for attacks.

The signing of this peace plan known as “Esquipulas 2” helped to give Costa Rica a prominent role in the international community and was a personal success for Oscar Arias, who for his efforts received the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1987.

Under Arias, the first and then the second Structural Adjustment Program – PAE 1 and PAE 2 – was launched with assistance from the World Bank. The purpose was to renew the production apparatus using modern technology, more efficiency and productivity. The formula recommended by the international funding agencies was used – according to the unions, without taking into account or examining the social consequences.

A parliamentary commission of inquiry, set up to map the drug trade, published a report in July 1989 stating that the two largest parties, PLN and PUSC, had received money from drug trafficking to fund their election campaigns in 1986. Both parties – and in particular Oscar Arias – accused of receiving money from Panama’s General Manuel A. Noriega, to cover the costs of the election campaign. The structural adjustment programs led to dissatisfaction and demonstrations in broad strata of the population.

During 1989, the situation worsened. A coalition of local trade unions, educational institutions and civic groups organized a strike in the province of Limón that crippled shipping on the Caribbean coast for four days; later strikes on the Atlantic coast came. The teachers conducted a nationwide strike that year.

Costa Rica Overview

Costa Rica is one of the few long-distance destinations we can recommend traveling to already in the corona spring of 2021.

Costa Rica is one of the most diverse natural sites on our planet. The small state of Central America offers dramatic volcanic views, rugged mountain scenery, wild jungle, and mystical cloud rainforests. On top of all this, there are great beach resorts on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides. This diversity of ecosystems guarantees a home for over 230 species of animals and the land will enchant the traveler as a traveler, whether you are looking for adventure or a more peaceful holiday destination.

• According to abbreviationfinder, CR is the abbreviation code for Costa Rica.

When it comes to eco-tourism, Costa Rica as a country is one of its pioneers. Costa Rica has set itself the goal of being completely carbon neutral by the end of 2021, the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence. For a few years now, more than 90% of Costa Rica’s electricity has come from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind and solar power, as well as geothermal energy and biomass. The country also has a reputation as an oasis of peace and education in Central America, as the military was abolished as early as 1948.

PURA VIDA, like Costa Rians often shout happily!

Area: 51 100 km²

Population: 5,097,988 (estimate 7/2020)

Capital: San José

Population: 94% of Spanish descent, 3% of African descent, 1% of Native Americans, 1% of Chinese, 1% of others

Language: Spanish, English, Creole English and Indian dialects

Main products: Tourism, electronics, coffee, banana, sugar

Form of government: Democracy