Costa rica geography is as diverse as it is beautiful. This is due to a variety of factors including influence from both the pacific and atlantic oceans. It borders nicaragua to the north and panama to the south and is therefore situated in the midst of. The coastal areas are made up of beaches and mangroves. Costa rica map geography of costa rica map of costa. Costa rica is a place that has come to be associated with coffee. N, so it is just above the itcz, or intertropical convergence zone. Achieving independence was one of the most important events in costa rica history. Costa rica map printable pdf download click the image for a larger version or download the free printable pdf map here. Costa rica has 12 distinct climate zones and literally thousands of small microclimate pockets throughout the country.
Costa rica, officially called the republic of costa rica, is located on the central american isthmus between nicaragua and panama. Pdf geology, tectonics, and geomorphology of costa rica. As you move further inland, it becomes mountainous as the talamanca mountain range divides the country. This clear, detailed and visuallyappealing resource offers a complete reference point for students revising knowledge relating to costa rica, as a part of their study of place, human and physical geography understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the united kingdomand a region of north america. September 2009 598 john rutter an ecotourism case study.
The geography of costa rica and what you need to plan for. Nearly fourfifths of costa ricas population is of european descent, and, as a result, costa rica has the largest percentage of people of spanish descent in central america. Pdf biodiversity, conservation, and hotspot atlas of costa rica. Costa rica description cost rica is a central american country of 3. Effects of costa ricas physical distancing according to. Predeparture lectures provide an overview of the global patterns of.
Our costa rica facts page contains an overview of articles that provide details about costa rica, its people, its history, government, political structure, social values, policies, geography, weather, plants and animals. Costa rica case study unedited working paper 1 1 introduction. Photograph by frans lanting, nat geo image collection. In the global pressure gradient, the subtropical high pressure is at 30. This packet features multiple versions of an original handdrawn costa rica passport stamp and the costa rica flag. The country of costa rica is home to the lowest part of the majestic sierra madre mountains, which. Along with the cheaper ones, there are some of the worlds most opulent and expensive options. Costa rica location, geography, people, culture, economy. Despite the countrys size, from the mountains on its pacific coast to the caribbean beaches that make it a popular. There are acres of primary and secondary rainforests, dry forests, mangroves and cloud. This, of course, provides the lush vegetation of the rainforest on the eastern slopes of the central mountain range, but it also means you should be prepared for a wide range of climate conditions in this area.
Wikimedia commons has media related to geography of costa rica. Extending from northwest to southeast, costa rica is bounded by nicaragua to the north, by the caribbean sea along the 185mile 300km northeastern coastline, by panama to the southeast, and by the pacific ocean along the 630mile 1,015km southwestern coastline. National park which displays beautiful forestry is braulio carrillo, manual antonio for its beaches, and poas where you can observe an. Geography costa rica has close to 1,300 km 800 mi of coastline. National geographics latest travel stories about costa rica. After the overthrow of the spanish king by napoleon, costa rica and others declared their independence from spain in 1821. Costa rica officially called republic of costa rica, is a country in central america. The coffeeness of costa rica is possible due to a unique combination of physical and social elements, and elements of culture and meaning that have been pulled together in costa rica by the force of place.
What is the weather, climate and geography like in costa rica. A diversity of soaring mountains, dormant and active craters, black and white sand beaches, rushing rivers and powerful waterfalls grace costa rica s 19,653 square miles, an area smaller than west virginia. Geography of coffee is a travel course that examines the human, physical, and environmental geography of coffee production and trade. Costa ricas poverty rate is lower than in most latin american countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades. The valle central, with more than half the countrys population, is the most predominantly spanish region in both its manner of living and its ancestry. Elevation also plays a significant role as the terrain can go from sea level to as high as. Although costa rica is best known as an invaluable refuge for nature, this small nation is also a haven of peace. Course readings focus on the economic geography of the coffee trade. Let your students feel the excitement of learning about the w.
Rugged highlands are found throughout most of the country, ranging from approximately 1,000 to. Rating is available when the video has been rented. More information about costa rica is available on the costa rica page and from other department of state publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. Costa ricas wellpopulated heartland, formed in and around the upland basin known as the valle central or meseta central, is devoted. Costa rica, a strong democracy of five million people with deep ties to the united states, is important to key u. Give your students a taste of the cultural and physical geography of costa rica from your classroom or home.
These articles and pages are meant to educate and inform users of everything they want to know about costa rica. This overview is extracted from the economic survey of costa rica. Costa ricas geography reveals a history of cataclysm, with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes shaping its presentday landscape. The country features numerous rainforests and a plethora of flora and fauna, which make it a popular destination for tourism and ecotourism. Costa rica has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 22 degrees c that increases considerably in the coastal areas. Costa rica geographical features include over 200 active and extinct volcanoes, steep mountain slopes, endless tropical beaches with sands ranging in colors from sparkling white and pale rose to black. Location of costa rica, protected areas including marine reserves and selected statistics. In this lesson, explore the history, geography, and culture of this nation. A diversity of soaring mountains, dormant and active craters, black and white sand beaches, rushing rivers and powerful waterfalls grace costa ricas 19,653 square miles, an area smaller than west virginia. Speaking of volcanoes, the countrys most active one coneshaped arenal, located in the tilaran mountains erupts in some measure almost every day.
It has enjoyed a long period of peace since the 1948 civil war. Costa rica is in between this subtropical high and the itcz, so since air flows from high to low pressure, the country experiences strong northeast trade winds. Ticos, as the people of costa rica are called, use the phrase pura vida pure life in their everyday speech, as a greeting or to show appreciation for something. Most of costa rica is dominated by the sierra madre mountains, literally fractured into individual ranges and valleys by violent volcanic eruptions over eons of time. Pdf on jan 1, 2017, alvarado induni guillermo and others published geology, tectonics, and geomorphology of costa rica. The pacific coastline with more of a mountenous terrain makes up roughly 80% of the total coastline. This mountainous country is located between the caribbean sea to the east and the pacific ocean to the west. Costa rica is a central american country with beautiful landscapes and unique wildlife.
Costa rica, a small country in southern central america, is home to a number of ecosystems and landforms, all containing astounding biodiversity. This notebook is a standalone study, but teachers and homeschool parents can also use it to supplement any history or geography curriculum. Costa rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Unlike many of its neighbors, however, the ticos managed to do it without bloodshed or revolution.
Relations with costa rica united states department. Costa rica s geography reveals a history of cataclysm, with earthquakes, floods and volcanoes shaping its presentday landscape. Caribbean coastal areas are characterized by long sand beaches, humid, lower ocean tide. The changes in temperature are considerable and due to the short distances in this relatively small country, they can all be experienced in just one day. Costa ricas caribbean coast often experiences strong storms that form over the atlantic ocean yearround, resulting in heavy rainfall. Costa rica is a mountainous country located between the caribbean sea and pacific ocean. Data compiled on the basis of the guidelines of imfs government finance statistics manual 2014. Its located in central america, south of the tropic of cancer, and is roughly 600 miles north of the equator. Costa rica geography, maps, climate, environment and. Costa rica has a lively press and broadcasting scene. Costa rica simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Costa rica knowledge organiser geography place knowledge. Central america, bordering both the caribbean sea and the north pacific ocean, between nicaragua and panama geographic coordinates. Click thumbnails above for the large jpg map image or detailed, printable, zoomable pdf map.
Archived from the original pdf on 27 september 2011. Facts about weather in costa rica planning your vacation. Costa rica weather, climate and geography weather and climate best time to visit. Situated in the geographic center of the americas, costa rica is bordered by nicaragua to the north, by panama to the south, by the. Describe the geographical advantages, both physical and human, that. Costa ricans and noncosta ricans have informed costa ricas. Costa rica is located in central america just north of the equator, and is bordering both the caribbean sea and the pacific ocean. It is bordered by nicaragua to the north, panama to the southeast, the pacific ocean to the west, and the caribbean sea to the east. Costa rica geography and other costa rica physical features. Png files, giving teachers the flexibility to be creative and have fun with how theyre used. Even though costa rica lies totally within the tropics, the range of altitudes produces wide climatic variety. Because it is on an isthmus, costa rica also has coastlines along the pacific ocean and the gulf of mexico. Media in category geography of costa rica the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total.
Ticos are generally proud of their political freedoms and their relatively stable economy. It is bordered by nicaragua and panama in the north and south, respectively, and by the caribbean and pacific oceans on the east and west. It also has the best record of respecting freedom of expression in latin america, says reporters without borders. Costa rica is the penultimate link in a chain of small nations that together comprise the isthmus of central america. Costa ricas mountain ranges geography of costa rica. While this fact is certainly a blessing, it does not mean that it was a simple process. Costa rica has a lot of unique features but it shares a lot of things in common with other central america and south american countries so this is gonna give you skills. It borders both the caribbean sea to the east and the north pacific ocean to the west, with a total. The caribbean lowlands are hot and humid, and comprise about onefourth of the total area of costa rica.
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