Quick Data on Costa Rica
Short Name | Costa Rica |
Capital | San Jose |
Long Name | Republic of Costa Rica |
Country Code | CS |
Continent | Central America and the Caribbean |
Total Area | 51,100 sq km |
Population | 5,097,988 |
Language | Spanish |
Nationality | Costa Rican(s) |
Geography of Costa Rica
As a country in Central America, with coordinates at 10 00 N, 84 00 W, Costa Rica neighbors Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km. The terrain in Costa Rica is described as coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes, with an average elevation point of 746 m. The climate of Costa Rica: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.
Surface Total | 51,100 sq km |
Land Surface | 51,060 sq km |
Water Surface | 40 sq km |
Land Boundaries | 661 km |
Neighbor Countries | Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km |
Coastline | 1,290 km |
Lowest Elevation Point | Pacific Ocean 0 m |
Highest Elevation Point | Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m |
Resources of Costa Rica
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being hydropower. The agricultural land occupies 37.10% of Costa Rica, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 51.50%.
Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
Agricultural Land | 37.10% | 18,943 sq km | 2011 est. |
Irrigated Land | 1,015 sq km | 2012 | |
Forest Land | 51.50% | 26,296 sq km | 2011 est. |
Other Land | 11.40% | 5,821 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Costa Rica
The population of the country is estimated at 5,097,988 people, with the biggest urban area having 1.400 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2020). Known as Costa Rican(s), the people from Costa Rica come from diversified ethnic groups such as white or mestizo 83.6%, mulatto 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.). The official language is Spanish. Religions: Roman Catholic 71.8%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 12.3%, other Protestant 2.6%, Jehovah’s Witness 0.5%, other 2.4%, none 10.4% (2016 est.).
Population | 5,097,988 |
Nationality | Costa Rican(s) |
Official Language | Spanish |
Other Languages | Spanish (official), English |
Birth Rate | 14.8 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Death Rate | 4.9 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Urban Population | 80.80% of total population (2020) |
Physicians Density | 2.95 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
Hospital Beds Density | 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2017) |
Governing Type of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a presidential republic. The legal system makes use of civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court.
Governing Type | presidential republic |
Citizenship by Birth | yes |
Citizenship by Descent | yes |
Dual Citizenship | yes |
Residency Requirement for Naturalization | 7 years |
Suffrage Vote | 18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
Economy of Costa Rica
From a population total of 5,097,988, the labor force is 2.229 million (2017 est.). The main products in agriculture are: bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products. Its exports cover bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment. The main import products are: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials.
Exports | $10.81 billion (2017 est.) |
Imports | $15.15 billion (2017 est.) |
Export Partners | US 40.9%, Belgium 6.3%, Panama 5.6%, Netherlands 5.6%, Nicaragua 5.1%, Guatemala 5% (2017) |
Import Partners | US 38.1%, China 13.1%, Mexico 7.3% (2017) |
GDP / Capita | $16,900 (2017 est.) |
Electricity Production | 10.79 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
Electrification Rate | electrification – total population: 100% (2016) |
Internet Users | 3,217,277 |
Internet Penetration Rate | 66.00% (July 2016 est.) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Costa Rica, statistics sectio