GEOGRAPHY OVERVIEW
The Republic of Costa Rica, with an area of 51100 square kilometers, is the third smallest country in Central America. It is bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean with a size of about ⅘ of West Virginia. Costa Rica, known for its rich natural biodiversity, is divided into three main regions, the Pacific coastal area, the Central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. The narrow Pacific coastal region rises steeply into the Central highlands, descending more gradually into the Caribbean plain. The Pacific coast is characterized by steep cliffs and narrow white sand beaches. The Northern portion, bordering Nicaragua, is called the Gold Coast and is dry, warm, and sunny, receiving the least rainfall in the entire country. The Pacific coastline broadens into three peninsulas, the Nicoya Peninsula, the Osa Peninsula, and the Papagayo Peninsula. The Central Valley is formed where the southeastern end of the Cordillera Central runs parallel with the northwestern point of the Cordillera de Talamanca and produces much of Costa Rica’s cash crop, coffee. Almost ⅔ of Costa Rica’s population inhabits these 10,100 square kilometers of land. Many tropical cloud forests are found at higher elevations, about 1000 - 3000 meters above sea level. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is the largest of these and is now preserved as a national park. The clouds in these high areas drench forests with mist, nourishing plants and wildlife. The páramo, a special treeless environment, spreads across the highest elevations, over 3000 meters above sea level. Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is made up of lowlands extending into the Northern and inland areas of the country. It is a continuation of the broad lowlands of Nicaragua and has an average elevation of less than 120 meters above sea level.
Costa Rica has 6 major urban areas including the capital city, San José. The country is well-irrigated by rivers and streams, with multiple starting in the highlands and flowing to one of the seas. The rivers in Costa Rica are used for watering crops and hydroelectric power, providing a main source of transportation through isolated areas. It also produces great nature-observing opportunities and attracts many tourists from around the world. Costa Rica is a tropical country with climates varying depending on elevation and annual rainfall. The average temperature on the coast is around 77 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average in the highlands is 72 degrees. Costa Rica experiences a dry season starting from mid-November and a wet season during the middle of the year with the heaviest rainfall in September and October. Costa Rica has twelve different ecological zones, with a diverse range of plants and animal life. There are over 2000 distinct species of trees and 9000 kinds of flowering plants, including more than 1200 species of the orchid, Costa Rica’s national flower. Coastal areas of Costa Rica are characterized by palm trees, or, in some areas such as the shoreline, by mangroves which have adapted to the salty habitat. Even though small, Costa Rica is a diverse country with rich biodiversity, containing many distinct landforms and features. From the iconic two- and three-toed sloths to the peculiar Osa Pultra, Costa Rica is home to about 5% of the world’s wildlife, creating an extraordinary attraction for tourists and making a perfect place to escape the freezing winter temperatures of the Northern Hemisphere.
