Coffee would remain Costa Rica's biggest export until the 20th century. The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal. Since then, Costa Rica has held 14 presidential elections, the latest in 2014. However, the average temperature is 80°F. The local population had little allegiance to the federal government in Guatemala. Have a go at some common phrases! 10 Costa Rica facts for kids. Almost 25% of Costa Rica's land area is in national parks and protected areas. Our Family Story: Moving to Costa Rica; Costa Rica Facts for Kids Costa Rica Map. In 1838, Costa Rica formally proclaimed itself an independent country. Costa Rica can be found in Central America. Rather than saying a lady “had a baby,” ticos say “ella dio a luz.” Meaning, “She gave light.” Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about Costa Rica that might be interesting to know. Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific.. It’s a 100% yes! Another dish called Chifrijo is a layered meal of black beans, rice, tomatoes, avocado all served on a bed of tortilla chips. What country is located to the South of Costa Rica? Which USA state’s population is roughly the same size as Costa Rica? As a result, bananas became the largest export. In the late 20th century Costa Rica helped to settle political fighting in neighboring countries. How many national parks are there in Costa Rica? There are still some small indigenous groups. Costa Rica Facts For Kids Location: Costa Rica can be found in Central America. Contenido. People living in Costa Rica can expect to live to be 79 years old. There are no provincial legislatures. Poás Volcano Crater is one of the country's main tourist attractions. Today,... Costa Rica has a … Costa Rica successfully reduced deforestation. Rice and Beans are a national dish in Costa Rica, but when they are fried together, they are called Gallo Pinto and can be served for breakfast! All four of Costa Rica's Olympic medals were won by the sisters Silvia and Claudia Poll in swimming. There are 4,331,000 people living in Costa Rica. It was first shipped to Europe in 1843. 2 2. It had a very loose authority over its provinces, especially the poor and remote Costa Rica. These facts about Costa Rica for kids are a great way to inform their geography knowledge, learn about National Parks and perhaps even inspire an interest in Spanish! It had to develop on its own. By Tyler McCloskey WHEN IT COMES to Costa Rica, you’ve probably heard about “pura vida.” You probably know the country’s biodiversity is off the charts, and maybe you even know that they got rid of their army long ago. Total Population: 4,9 million people; Capital: San Jose; Life expectancy: 77 years; Highest Mountain: Cerro Chirripo (3820 meters) All Rights Reserved. Costa Rica (officially called Republic of Costa Rica), is a country in Central America. They have the world's fastest running lizard, the spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis). Christopher Columbus sailed to the eastern shores of Costa Rica during his last trip in 1502,. Costa Rica became a "rural democracy" with no oppressed mestizo or indigenous class. But it was almost zero by 2005. The squirrel monkey is found only on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and a small part of Panama. Association football is the most popular sport in Costa Rica. It has a total of 1,290 kilometres (800 mi) of coastline. This... 2. Some of the things you’ll see there are plush green land, coffee plantations and two volcanos. Costa Rica is a small country in Central America bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the South. Here are some interesting facts about San Jose, Costa Rica. 33) The name Costa Rica means rich coast and was a name first used by the people of Panama. Name some of the animals that can be found in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a land of endless adventure and lots of heart. There are more than 100 species of mammals here. A stone sphere created by the Diquis culture at the National Museum of Costa Rica. Basic Facts About Costa Rica 1. San Jose is the largest city in Costa Rica and is also the capital. It is bordered by Nicaragua to its north, Panama to its south, the Caribbean Sea to its east and the Pacific Ocean to its west. In 16th century, Spain controlled Costa Rica. Coffee was first planted in Costa Rica in the early 19th century. Costa Rica supporters at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. These nine Costa Rica facts are just the beginning of your beach or jungle getaway. Learning a few Costa Rica facts for kids is a great place to start your vacation planning or even a lesson plan in the classroom. Now that sounds yummy! © 2020 Cool Kid Facts. As the rest of the world knows Soda as a soft drink, in Costa Rica, this is a small restaurant that serves cheap food... 3. Tourists can visit the area using canopy tours which include ziplining or bridges across the forest. While civil wars were common in the Federal Republic of Central America, Costa Rica was largely peaceful. The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, at 3,819 metres (12,530 ft). Locals prove welcoming, friendly, and warm. Most of the indigenous population was absorbed into the Spanish colony. He was elected in 2014. 5) Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon. Facts about Costa Rica 2: the short history of Costa Rica. However, it varies depending where in the country you are. Children start school at age six. 20 °C (68 °F) in the main populated areas, and below 10 °C (50 °F) on the highest mountains. Costa Rica’s economy was originally based on coffee and banana exports. The unpopularity of Tinoco's government led to a considerable decline in the size, wealth, and political influence of the Costa Rican military. There are approximately 4,350,000 people living in Costa Rica. Unlike in the USA and other parts of Europe, Costa Rica does not have winter, but a dry season from December to April thus a perfect place to visit with your family. Our favorite thing is when people fall as in love with Costa Rica as we are. 39. It is also the home of three-toed sloth and two-toed sloth. The victorious rebels formed a government that abolished the military. But in 1917–19, General Federico Tinoco Granados ruled as a military dictator until he was overthrown. Since 1896, the currency in Costa Rica is the “Colon” (colones in plural) named in honor of Christopher Columbus. Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north (309 km or 192 mi of border) and Panama to the southeast (639 km or 397 mi of border). The country has many microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall, and the geography of each region. Tortuguero National Park is home to spider, howler, and white-throat Capuchin monkeys. What is the main language spoken in Costa Rica? Costa Rica does not have an army. ), Communism vs Socialism – What’s The Difference?Â. The current President is Carlos Alvarado Quesada. Costa Rica joined the First Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide. Its best performance in the regional CONCACAF Gold Cup was runner-up in 2002. Costa Rica's poverty was also because there were not enough indigenous people available for slavery. Interesting Facts About Costa Rica. "Winter" starts in May and ends in November. During the colonial period, Costa Rica was the most southern province of the Captaincy General of Guatemala. 1 1. After its collapse in 1823, Costa Rica became a province of the new Federal Republic of Central America. In 1890 Costa Rica held the first free and honest election in Central America. He reported large amounts of gold jewelry among the indigenous people. Claudia won the country's only gold medal in 1996. The United Fruit Company began to hold a major role in the national economy. Children, however, take their father’s name. Most of the Costa Rican settlers had to work on their own land. Please support Cool Kid Facts by emailing or sharing! In total, Costa Rica has 51,100 square kilometres (19,700 sq mi) plus 589 square kilometres (227 sq mi) of territorial waters. 1. These slow-moving animals can hang from trees and eat leaves all day long. Las Carretas (oxcarts) are a national symbol. With more than 2,000 dead, the 44-day Costa Rican Civil War was the bloodiest event in Costa Rica during the 20th century. Costa Rica is a family travel playground, specializing in big adventures guaranteed to get your kid’s heart pumping; whether you are zipping through the leafy canopy or spying a lazy sloth, this little dynamo of a country offers a plethora of fun experiences that every family member can enjoy. This Intermediate Area is where the Mesoamerican and Andean indigenous cultures mixed together. This means they could explode at any time. The extent of Costa Rica's western EEZ in the Pacific, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels), during 2007 pilgrimage. For all these reasons, Costa Rica was unappreciated and forgotten by the Spanish Crown. it existed from 1823 to 1839. While it is most famous for animals like poison dart frogs, parrots, jaguars, monkeys, sloths, and tapirs, it is home to more than 1,300 species of butterflies, at least 838 species of birds, 440 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 232 species of mammals. Costa Rica is inhabited by around 4.5 million people. For such a small country, Costa Rica has a lot to offer! 3) Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a life expectancy of almost 77 years, one of the highest in the world. Some interesting facts: The most expensive coffee sold by Starbucks in the US in 2012 came from Tarruzo in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a country located in Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the West, the Caribbean sea to the East, Panama on the South, and Nicaragua on the North. Here are a few Costa Rica fun facts to wow the kids. It does not have the four seasons other countries have. Facts About Costa Rica:-Costa Rican ladies don’t take their husband’s surname. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by the canton's people. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here. As there are places of high altitude, the temperature can be a lot cooler than the coast. Annual rainfall is over 5,000 mm (196.9 in). The country has a population of 4.5 million, and its capital city of San Jose is home to approximately 300,000 citizens. The capital city is San José. 1. It is between latitudes 8° and 12°N, and longitudes 82° and 86°W. Whether you are zipping through the leafy canopy or spying a lazy sloth, this little dynamo of a country offers a plethora of fun experiences that every family member can enjoy. Howler monkeys, jaguars, a wide range of birds like the macaw, and even crocodiles can also be spotted among the natural grounds. It can be used as a greeting, as a way of saying thank you, or even to say goodbye. In this lesson, explore the history, geography, and culture of this nation. The Corcovado National Park is internationally known by ecologists for its biodiversity. The cantons are further divided into 463 districts. Costa Rica is a center of biological diversity for reptiles and amphibians. It became Costa Rica's first major export. Students enter college at age 15, and attend one of Costa Rica’s six universities. Learn the geography of Costa Rica with this Geography video for Kids. The 1849 national coat of arms was featured in the first postal stamp issued in 1862. 32) People who live in Costa Rica often refer to themselves as ticos (male), and ticas (female). That’s roughly the same population as the state of Kentucky. Locals and tourists Spanish colony facts for Kids ( fun & Festive proclaimed. Olympic medals were won by the canton 's people Si ” means hello, “ Si ” means morning... Started and hopefully help you have the best time you can while you 're there people in. Visitors in 2012, making Travel through Costa Rica can expect to live be! 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