Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10° north of the equator and 84° west of the prime meridian. It has 212 km of Caribbean Sea coastline and 1,016 on the North Pacific Ocean . The area is 51,100 km² of which 40 km² is water.
Where is Costa Rica located on a map?
Map of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10° north of the equator and 84° west of the prime meridian. It borders both the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 km of coastline (212 km on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km on the Pacific).
What are the key facts of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica shares a 313-kilometre (194-mile) border with Nicaragua to the north, and a 348-km border with Panama to the south. Costa Rica claims an exclusive economic zone of 574,725 km 2 (221,903 sq mi) with 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi). Land use: Arable land: 4.8%.
How big is the ocean in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica claims an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi). The spine of the country produces many major river systems.
What is the topography like in Costa Rica?
Topography of Costa Rica Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10° north of the equator and 84° west of the prime meridian. It has 212 km of Caribbean Sea coastline and 1,016 on the North Pacific Ocean. The area is 51,100 km 2 of which 40 km 2 is water.
What surrounds Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is part of the Central American isthmus and borders Nicaragua to the North, Panama to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West . Capital: San José.
Is Costa Rica surrounded by water?
Land. Extending from northwest to southeast, Costa Rica is bounded by Nicaragua to the north, by the Caribbean Sea along the 185-mile (300-km) northeastern coastline, by Panama to the southeast, and by the Pacific Ocean along the 630-mile (1,015-km) southwestern coastline.
What is Costa Rica's landscape like?
Costa Rica geographical features include over 200 active and extinct volcanoes, steep mountain slopes, endless tropical beaches with sands ranging in colors from sparkling white and pale rose to black.
What are the countries on either side of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south and east. The Pacific Ocean borders the western and southern parts of Costa Rica, and the Caribbean Sea borders Costa Rica on the east.
How much is $1 US in Costa Rica?
Dollar to Costa Rica Colon Exchange Rate Today, Live 1 USD to CRC = 618.9027 (Convert Dollars to Costa Rica Colon)
What is Costa Rica known for?
Costa Rica is known for its incredible national parks, where tourists can enjoy some thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It's also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover some interesting wildlife like macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.
Is Costa Rica humid or dry?
Costa Rica is a tropical country with two distinct seasons—dry and wet. However, within these seasons and in different parts of the country there is lots of variation. The Guanacaste region is the driest, while the highlands are generally colder and misty.
What are 5 interesting facts about Costa Rica?
11 fun facts about Costa RicaIt's one of the happiest countries in the world. ... There are over 500,000 species of wildlife. ... Of the 500,000 species, 900 of them are birds. ... Gallo pinto is a breakfast staple. ... There are over 200 volcanic formations. ... Costa Ricans have a high life expectancy.More items...•
Is Costa Rica 3rd world country?
In most cases a developed country is synonymous with its military and economic power. The latter seems to be the criteria used for drawing the line between developed nations and those which are in the process of developing, or as they are most often referred to —third world nations like Costa Rica.
Why is Costa Rica safer than other Central American countries?
Political Stability and Representation Since 1949, Costa Rica has maintained a stable and democratic government. Therefore, Costa Rica has avoided the political and gang violence that other Central American countries struggle with.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
Compared to other Central American countries like Nicaragua or El Salvador, Costa Rica is generally more on the expensive side. It's pretty well-developed and has a thriving tourism industry, so things do cost more.
Which side of Costa Rica is better?
Pacific sideMost travelers visiting Costa Rica think the Pacific side of the country is the better coast to visit. The remote Osa Peninsula, the monkey-filled area of Manuel Antonio, the surfing near Santa Theres, and the touristy Nicoya coast make it the superior choice.
Is Costa Rica landlocked?
Reality: In fact, Costa Rica is a landlocked country in Central America, situated between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Myth: It's a third world country! Reality: Costa Rica is a developing nation, and bears almost no resemblance to the stereotype of a third world country.
What are 5 interesting facts about Costa Rica?
11 fun facts about Costa RicaIt's one of the happiest countries in the world. ... There are over 500,000 species of wildlife. ... Of the 500,000 species, 900 of them are birds. ... Gallo pinto is a breakfast staple. ... There are over 200 volcanic formations. ... Costa Ricans have a high life expectancy.More items...•
What climate does Costa Rica have?
tropicalCosta Rica is a tropical country with two distinct seasons—dry and wet. However, within these seasons and in different parts of the country there is lots of variation. The Guanacaste region is the driest, while the highlands are generally colder and misty.
Is Costa Rica expensive?
Compared to other Central American countries like Nicaragua or El Salvador, Costa Rica is generally more on the expensive side. It's pretty well-developed and has a thriving tourism industry, so things do cost more.
What is the topography of Costa Rica?
Topography of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus, surrounding the point 10° north of the equator and 84° west of the prime meridian. It has 212 km of Caribbean Sea coastline and 1,016 on the North Pacific Ocean . The area is 51,100 km 2 of which 40 km 2 is water.
How much of Costa Rica is covered by forests?
Almost a half of the country's land is covered by forests, though only 3.5% is covered by primary forests. Deforestation in Costa Rica has been reduced from some of the worst rates in the world from 1973 to 1989, to almost zero by 2005.
How much of Costa Rica is protected?
Over 25% of Costa Rica's national territory is protected by SINAC (the National System of Conservation Areas), which oversees all of the country's protected areas. There 29 national parks of Costa Rica many conservation areas of Costa Rica. Together protected areas comprise over one-fourth of Costa Rican territory. 9.3% of the country is protected under IUCN categories I-V. Around 25% of the country's land area is in protected national parks and protected areas, the largest percentage of protected areas in the world (developing world average 13%, developed world average 8%).
What is the biodiversity of Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a biodiversity hotspot . While the country has only about 0.03% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity. It is home to about 12,119 species of plants, of which 950 are endemic. There are 117 native trees and more than 1,400 types of orchids; a third of them can be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Almost a half of the country's land is covered by forests, though only 3.5% is covered by primary forests. Deforestation in Costa Rica has been reduced from some of the worst rates in the world from 1973 to 1989, to almost zero by 2005.
How many species of birds are there in Costa Rica?
Over 400 types of birds and more than 100 species of mammals can be found there. Over 840 species of birds have been identified in Costa Rica. As is the case in much of Central America, the avian species in Costa Rica are a mix of North and South American species.
How many provinces are there in Costa Rica?
Administrative divisions of Costa Rica include 7 provinces, 82 cantons, and 478 districts. There are also 24 indigenous territories .
What is the rainy season in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer ( verano ), and the rainy season, known locally as winter ( invierno ). The "summer" or dry season goes from December to April, and "winter" or rainy season goes from May to November, which almost coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, and during this time, it rains constantly in some regions.
Overview
Political and human geography
Costa Rica shares a 313-kilometre (194-mile) border with Nicaragua to the north, and a 348-km border with Panama to the south.
Costa Rica claims an exclusive economic zone of 574,725 km (221,903 sq mi) with 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) and a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi).
Land use: Arable land: 4.8%. Permanent crops: 6.66%. Other: 88.54%.
Geology
Costa Rica is located on the Caribbean Plate. It borders the Cocos Plate in the Pacific Ocean which is being subducted beneath it. This forms the volcanoes in Costa Rica, also known as the Central America Volcanic Arc.
The Caribbean Plate began its eastward migration during the Late Cretaceous. During the Late Paleocene, a local sea-level low-stand assisted by the continental uplift of the western margin o…
Physical geography
There are many islands of Costa Rica, the most remote being Cocos Island and the largest being Isla Calero.
The nation's coastal plain separated by the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca, which form the spine of the country and separate the Pacific and Caribbean drainage divides.
Flora and fauna
Costa Rica is a biodiversity hotspot. While the country has only about 0.03% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's biodiversity. It is home to about 12,119 species of plants, of which 950 are endemic. There are 117 native trees and more than 1,400 types of orchids; a third of them can be found in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Almost a half of the country's land is cover…
Natural resources
Hydropower is produced from Lake Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica. Total renewable water resources is 112.4 km .
Freshwater withdrawal is 5.77 km /year (15%/9%/77%), or per capita: 1,582 m /year. Agriculture is the largest water user demanding around 53% of total supplies while the sector contributes 6.5% to the Costa Rica GDP. Both total and per capita water usage is very high in comparison to othe…
Gallery
• Shaded relief map of Costa Rica
• Map of Costa Rica
• Topography of Costa Rica
See also
• List of earthquakes in Costa Rica
• List of Faults in Costa Rica
• Costa Rica is party to the following treaties: Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Environmental Modification, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Montreal Protocol, Ramsar Convention, International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, Desertification Convention, Endangered Species Convention, Basel …
• List of earthquakes in Costa Rica
• List of Faults in Costa Rica
• Costa Rica is party to the following treaties: Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Environmental Modification, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Montreal Protocol, Ramsar Convention, International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, Desertification Convention, Endangered Species Convention, Basel Convention, Convention on the Law of the Sea, Convention on Marine …