| Costa Rica, the Rich Coast, was named by its earliest | | | | Costa Rica is one of the most peaceful countries in |
| Spanish settlers in anticipation of the gold and treasure | | | | the World. It has no standing army. The army was |
| they would discover there. Instead, they found a | | | | abolished by the Constitution and Costa Rica has |
| greater treasure. | | | | become a leader in the struggle for human rights and |
| Costa Rica is a tiny gem of the country that is located | | | | peaceful co-existence. This attitude is reflected in the |
| in Central America between the countries of | | | | daily life of the people of Costa Rica and the overall |
| Nicaragua and Panama. Its total size is about the same | | | | pace of the country. Its people revere a peaceful, joy |
| as the States of New Hampshire and Vermont | | | | filled life surrounded by friends and family. This attitude |
| combined and its population is just over 4 million people. | | | | is reflected in the unofficial motto of the country, Pura |
| It has slowly been gaining a reputation as one of the | | | | Vida, or the Pure Life. |
| most attractive tourist destinations in the entire World. | | | | Costa Rica is one of the most progressive and stable |
| This reputation has been earned for a variety of | | | | countries in Latin America. It has a commitment to |
| reasons. | | | | universal education and has encouraged technological |
| Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the | | | | development while retaining the devotion to Pura Vida |
| World. Its tiny land mass is sandwiched between the | | | | in daily life. This has made it a popular choice for |
| Caribbean Sea on the east and the Pacific Ocean on | | | | foreign investment. |
| the west. The result is over 800 miles of unspoiled | | | | Costa Rica is a country that seems almost too good |
| beaches. The country is divided by a central highland | | | | to be really true. From its pristine beaches on two |
| that bisects the country like a stone backbone. The | | | | coasts to its five active volcanoes to the mind boggling |
| mountains are covered in many areas by lush tropical | | | | diversity of its native flora and fauna, Costa Rica |
| rain forests that contain one of the most diverse | | | | seems more a fantasy created in the mind of an artist |
| ecosystems anywhere. Costa Rica proudly claims the | | | | than a real country located only a short air journey |
| largest species density in the World and ecotourism | | | | away from the United States. |
| has become a leading industry. | | | | |