Country
Costa Rica
Leader
Population
9,877,292 4,695,942
Life Expectancy
60.670 years 78.060 years
Capital City
San Jose
Largest city
Cotonou (population: 690,584) San Jose (population: 335,007)
Human Development Index
0.459 0.847 GDP per capita $12,600 US
Literacy Rate
34.7% 94.9%
Corruption Perception Index
3.1 5.1
Percentage of Women in Parliament
10.8% 36.8% Wealthiest Citizens Unemployment Rate 7.900%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice Abolished
Political System
republic democratic republic
Independence date
15 September 1821 (from Spain) Religions Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census) Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Spanish (official), English Exports bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment External Debt $12,040,000,000 US Exchange Rate Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 529.62 (2008 est.), 519.53 (2007), 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004) Military Budget as percentage of GDP 0.800% Beijing Olympics Medal Count Location Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Area 112,622 km sq 51,100 km sq Coastline 121 km 1,290 km Climate tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
