Where
is Costa Rica?
The
Republic of Costa Rica isolated in the southern
part of the Central Americas, boarded by Nicaragua
to the North and Panama to the South. To the East
is the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) and to the
West is the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica is just 8
degrees latitude of the Equator.
What
is the geography of Costa Rica?
Costa
Rica's land mass is 51,100 square kilometers, making
it about two thirds the size of Scotland and with
a population of just over 4,000,000 there is lots
of countryside. Costa Rica is 7 hours behind the
UK during British Summer Time and 6 hours behind
during Daylight Saving Time. The geography of the
land is rather different than the UK with mostly
mountain and volcanoes strewn throughout the center
of the country which flatten out as you move to
the coast. The highest point within Costa Rica is
Cerro Chirripo, 3,810 m high, however the mountain
range throughout the center over Costa Rica is on
average between 1000-2000m high. The country has
a long coastline of beaches both on the Pacific
and Caribbean coast ranging in sand colour from
black volcanic sand to pristine white sanded beaches.
What
is the ethnic make up and language of Costa Rica?
Costa
Ricans are referred to as Tico's (male) and Tica's
(women) who make up around 94% of the population
with Chinese, Nicaraguan and other nationalities
making up the other 6%. The official language of
Costa Rica is Spanish, however it does differ slightly
from the original Spanish language. English is widely
spoken throughout the country and normally Tico's
and English speakers have no difficulty in communicating.
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is inhabited by
mainly people with coloured skin where as the Pacific
Coast is mainly inhabited by Costa Rican's with
a much darker complexion than those of the cities
and mountains.
How
is the weather and seasons in Costa Rica?
Costa
Rica is a tropical country that is pleasant all
year around the average temperature throughout the
country is around 25 degrees. The temperature on
the coast is of course much warmer than the mountains
with an average temperature being between 27-35
degrees. Where as the average temperature within
the mountains being between 20-25 degrees.
Please
see the link below for more detailed information
on weather around Costa Rica:
Costa
Rica Weather Chart
Costa
Rica has 2 seasons, the dry season which runs from
December until April and the green season which
runs from may to November. During the green season
you can expect great sunny mornings with the chance
of showers and heavier rain in the afternoon.
For
more information or up to date weather information
on Costa Rica please follow the link below: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/central_america/
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