Flag and Facts
Costa Rica flag
With a dark blue stripe on the top and bottom, a white stripe following, two red stripes in the middle, and a delicate coat of arms standing in the middle towards the left, the Costa Rican flag holds a deep historical significance and representation. Like other parts of the United Provinces of Central America, Costa Rica originally flew the federal flag of blue-white-blue strips and a coat of arms in the middle. This federal flag was adopted when Central America freed itself from Mexico in 1823, drawing inspiration from the flag of Argentina, which was one of the first Spanish colonies to gain independence. The Central American banner continued to be Costa Rica's flag even as five parts of the federation became independent countries from 1840 to 1841, although the colors were swapped to white-blue-white from 1840 to 1842. On September 29, 1848, a distinctive design was created at the suggestion of Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, wife of President José María Castro Madriz. She was an admirer of France and desired the addition of a red stripe, which was decided to be placed in the center of the flag with twice the width of the other stripes. It was intended to symbolize the “civilization of the century”, and the sun casting on Costa Rica the “first rays of its true independence.” The coat of arms was modified slightly in 1906, 1934, and most recently, on October 21, 1964. Currently, the coat of arms contains a scene showing two volcanoes on a stretch of land between two seas. A ship sails on each sea, and above are seven stars, representing the provinces of the republic (“Flag of Costa Rica -- Britannica School”). The blue represents the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white stands for peace, happiness, and wisdom, while the red denotes the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy for the people (CIA World Factbook).
Economy
Costa Rica, meaning “Rich Coast,” is neither as rich nor poor as its neighboring countries. With a real GDP of $134,238 billion, ranking 89 worldwide, real GDP growth rate of 5.11%, ranking 46 worldwide, real GDP per capita of $23,600, ranking 87 worldwide, and GDP of $86.498 billion as of 2023 (CIA World Factbook), Costa Rica’s wealth is better distributed among all social classes than anywhere else in Central America (Elbow and Parker). Compared to its neighbors, Panama, with a Real GDP of $149,908 billion, real GDP per capita of $35,900, and GDP of $83,318 as of 2023, and Nicaragua, with a real GDP of $51,088 billion, real GDP per capita of $7,500, and GDP of 17,829 billion as of 2023, Costa Rica stands in between. 68% of Costa Rica’s economy is driven by services, 3.8% by agriculture, and 20.5% by industry (CIA World Factbook), with commerce, finance, and tourism as the highest grossing industries (“Topic: Economy of Costa Rica”). Its major exports are corn, beans, insecticides, chemicals, machinery, petroleum products, refined petroleum, plastic products, medical instruments, cars, and broadcasting equipment as of 2022, while its major imports are banana, pineapple, coffee, medical instruments, orthopedic appliances, bananas, tropical fruits, other foods, sugarcane, milk, oil palm fruit, fruits, oranges, chicken, cassava, and rice as of 2022. The US contributes 39% of Costa Rica’s imports, China 14%, Mexico 5%, Guatemala 3%, and Brazil 3%, and its major export partners are US with 40%, Netherlands with 7%, Guatemala with 5%, Belgium with 5%, and Nicaragua with 3% as of 2022. Costa Rica has been an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD member since 2021, and its growth in macroeconomic fundamentals averaged 3% over the last decade, reaching 5.1% in 2023, surpassing expectations. However, the country’s stable development faces significant threats as inequality is high. As of 2022, 25.5% of the population was below the poverty line, with a GINI coefficient of 46.7 in 2023. Costa Rica is among the most unequal countries in the OECD (“Overview”), but its overall economy remains stable and manageable.