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. Costa Rica still maintains a large agricultural sector but has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries.
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
People and Society
Population
total: 5,265,575
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
0.74% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: San José
Executive branch
chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022)
head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (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)
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 crisis
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$134.238 billion (2023 est.)
$127.71 billion (2022 est.)
$122.15 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$25,800 (2023 est.)
$24,700 (2022 est.)
$23,700 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, rice (2022)
Industries
medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Exports
$33.699 billion (2023 est.)
$29.404 billion (2022 est.)
$23.609 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
US 40%, Netherlands 7%, Guatemala 5%, Belgium 5%, Nicaragua 3% (2022)
Exports - commodities
medical instruments, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits, other foods (2022)
Imports
$28.441 billion (2023 est.)
$27.07 billion (2022 est.)
$21.94 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
US 39%, China 14%, Mexico 5%, Guatemala 3%, Brazil 3% (2022)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, medical instruments, cars, broadcasting equipment (2022)
Exchange rates
Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
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