Costa+Rica+-+Mitchell+Spurr

=**Republica de Costa Rica**=

toc Costa Rican Flag, adopted November 10, 1906 White bands mean peace and honesty, Red bands mean hardiness, strength bravery and valor, Blue bands mean vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance and justice. The symbol is the Costa Rican coat of arms.The three volcanoes represent Costa Ricas three mountain range systems two oceans represent the Carribean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The boat represents the culture and exchange with the rest of the world. The seven stars above the volcano represent Costa Ricas seven providences. The flag was thought of on the battlefield soldiers would paint it on shields to know who is a friend or an enemy. The emblem was used to identify and cover suits of armor the seal seen on the flag called the "Coat of Arms" was named.

**NATIONAL ANTHEM**
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Noble homeland, your beautiful flag
 * English**:

Expresses for us your life,

Under the limpid blue of your skies,

Peace reigns, white and pure.

In the tenacious battle of fruitful toil,

That brings a glow to men's faces,

Your sons, simple farm hands,

Gained eternal renown, esteem and honor honor

Hail, gentle country!

Hail, loving mother!

If anyone should attempt to besmirch your glory,

You will see your people, valiant and virile,

Exchange their rustic tools for weapons.

Hail, O homeland! Your prodigal soil

Gives us sweet sustenance and shelter.

Under the limpid blue of your sky,

May peaceful labour ever continue.

Noble patria tu hermosa bandera expresión de tu vida nos da bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo blanca y pura descansa la paz
 * Spanish**:

En la lucha tenaz, de fecunda labor que enrojece del hombre la faz conquistaron tus hijos labriegos, sencillos eterno prestigio, estima y honor

eterno prestigio, estima y honor

Salve oh tierra gentil Salve oh madre de amor

Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar verás a tu pueblo valiente y viril la tosca herramienta en arma trocar

Noble patria tu pródigo suelo dulce abrigo y sustento nos da bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz

**MAPS**
Geographical map of Costa Rica

Political map of Costa Rica

**EXACT LOCATION**
Costa Rica is located in Central America, 10º North of the equator and 84º West of the Prime Meridian. It boarder the Caribbean Sea to the East and the North Pacific Ocean to the West. Nicaragua boarders Costa RIca to the North and Panama boarders Costa Rica to the South.

La capital de la República de Costa Rica es San José. Esta la capital es sur centro.

Costa Rica is 19,730 square miles with 912 miles of coastline between the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans. The population of Costa Rica as of July 2012 was 4,636,348 people. The Capital city San José is estimated at around 288,054 people. The Spanish came to Costa Rica and colonized it in 1502. The indigenous people of Costa Rica included the groups of the Matambú, Maleku, Bribri, Cabécar, Guaymí, Boruca, Térraba, and the Huetar. When Costa Rica moderized the indigenous people didn't want to leaver their culture and way of life behind, and in 1977 the government passed a law allowing for reserves to be set up for the people. There are 22 reserves set up in Costa Rica today. It wasn't until 1994 when they got the right to vote. Indigenous people today are still fighting for their rights, mostly regarding the government taking over their land.

**GOVERNMENT**
The government in Costa Rica is a Democratic Republic. The government was established in the 1949 Constitution. The Constitution said that all citizens and foreigners are equal before the law. All people have the right to own property, right to petition and assemble, freedom of speech and others. The government is separated into 3 branches, independent executive, legislative, and judicial powers, this is called the "separation of powers." The head of state is Laura Chinchilla, she came to power May 8th 2010, at 53 years old. The head of state in Costa Rica can serve for four years and can be re-elected but not immediately after their four years are up.

**FACTS**
Literacy rate; Female: 96.2, Male: 95.7, Youth Female: 98.6, Youth Male: 97.7

Required years of education: 12 years

Colleges/Universities

Public Universities;

Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica Universidad de Costa Rica Universidad Nacional

Private Universities;

UCIMED Universidad EARTH Universidad Hispanoamerica and many others

Gross National Product: US$ 44.313 billion Natural Resources: hydropower, geothermal power, oxygen production, along with wind power

Exports: Coffee, bananas, sugar, cocoa, cattle and other meat products Imports: raw materials for mining, industrial goods, transportation

**HOLIDAYS**
Jan 1st: New Years celebrated with a big dance in the capital San José St. Josephs Day Labor Day Mothers Day Independence Day Christmas celebrated with trips to the beach and mass consumption of grapes and apples

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**PLACES TO GO**
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Arenal Volcano media type="youtube" key="uSV9PKZ9X3M" width="560" height="315" align="center"

Tamarindo, Playa Langusto, Playa Grande Santa Teresa Montezuma Nosara

**FAMOUS PEOPLE**
Juan Santamaria - Juan was a interesting happy younge man. One day he enrolled into the Alajuelan troops as a drummer. In 1856 he became a hero when during a battle with William Walker, where he took a torch and burned down a house the enemy was in, he lost his life for his nation. On that day he became a hero and was remembered by a statue built in the middle of alajuela park.

Claudia and Silvia Poll - These sisters put Costa Rica on the map in the Olympics by bringing home multiple medals for their favored event, swimming.

Oscar Arias Sanchez - Oscar won the Noble Prize for his efforts in making peace in Latin America. In 1986 Oscar met with the presidents of Latin American countries and settle many things including government. In the same years of 1986 Oscar became president of Costa Rica. He also ran for office in many other presidential elections.

**TIMELINE**
1502- Christopher Columbus is the first European to reach Costa Rica. The Spanish colonized it in 1522. 1821- Costa Rica gets independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire 1823- Mexican Empire falls, Costa Rica joins El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua as the United Provinces of Central America 1838- Costa Rica becomes fully independant 1849-1859- Juan Rafael Mora lead the charge against Williams Walker, an American who tried to take over the region of Costa Rica 1949- After a bloody 44-day civil war a new constitution is introduced. 1963- The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is created, the first of many protected areas in Costa Rica today 1968- Arenal Volcano erupts killing many people 1987- President Oscar Arias Sanchez wins the Nobel Prize for ending civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua 2006- Oscar Shancez is elected president........again 2010-Present Day- Laura Chinchilla becomes Costa Rica's first woman president

**I****NTEREST TOPIC**
Costa Rican Food

Costa Rican food is unique in many ways. It has many influences from the Carribean. One thing you will find in almost any meal is black beans and rice, they call it comida tipica which mean it's like a staple and can be found in mostly any meal. Costa Rican meals are very healthy to match the active lifestyle of the majority of the people. The meals normally have a good portion of fruits or vegtables or both. Meals are well rounded and full of fiber.



1 cup cooked rice 1 cup cooked red or black beans 3 tablespoons red bell peppers, chopped 3 tablespoons onion, chopped 2 tablespoons celery, chopped 1 teaspoon vegetable oil if you desire, you may add one of the following ingredients :1 pork sausage, minced3 slices of ham, chopped in small piecesScrambled eggs



1/2 lb corn flour (masa harina ) 1/2 lb dough flour or Maseca 4 oz vegetable oil 1/4 lb Mozzarella cheese, shredded 3 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 lb chorizo sausage 1 onion, chopped 1 cup fried beans 1 teaspoon salt

**BIBLIOGRAPHY**
"Costa Rica Traditional Food." //- Costa Rica Guides//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. "Costa Rica." //- Empanadas//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013 "Costa Rica." //- Gallo Pinto//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. "Costa Rica." //- Recipes//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. [] [] "Costa Rica." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 May 2013. Web. 29 May 2013. "Welcome to the Official Site of Costa Rica." //Costa Rica. Hotels, Travel Agencies and Tours//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. "Arenal Volcano Costa Rica." //- Info, Hotels, Transporation, and Tours//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. "Costa Rica - Costa Rica Holidays." //Costa Rica - Costa Rica Holidays//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. "Laura Chinchilla." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 May 2013. Web. 29 May 2013. "Top 10 Costa Rica Destinations." //Go Visit Costa Rica//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. [] []