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Costa Rica
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flag of Costa Rica Costa Rica Monteverde, Costa Rica Costa Rica Physical features of Costa Rica Poás Volcano Arenal Volcano Irazú Volcano Costa Rican forest and grassland
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Costa Rica summary
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Costa Rica: Facts & Stats

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Costa Rica looks to El Salvador's gang crackdown for path to stopping violence • Apr. 4, 2025, 9:52 PM ET (AP)
Carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death for former Yankees OF Brett Gardner's teenage son • Apr. 3, 2025, 12:21 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Republic of Costa Rica • República de Costa Rica
Head Of State And Government President: Rodrigo Chaves Robles
Capital San José
Population (2025 est.) 5,266,000
Form Of Government unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (Legislative Assembly [57])
Official Language Spanish
Official Religion Roman Catholicism
Official Name República de Costa Rica (Republic of Costa Rica)
Total Area (Sq Km) 51,100
Total Area (Sq Mi) 19,730
Monetary Unit Costa Rican colón (₡)
Population Rank (2025) 125
Population Projection 2030 5,566,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2025) 266.9
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2025) 103.1
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 83.2% • Rural: (2024) 16.8%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2022) 77 years • Female: (2022) 82.4 years
Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate Male: (2021) 98% • Female: (2021) 98%
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2023) 72,788
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2023) 14,260

Photos and Videos

flag of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Physical features of Costa Rica
Poás Volcano
Arenal Volcano
Irazú Volcano
Costa Rican forest and grassland
blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates)
Hear scientist Greg Goldsmith explaining his study of tropical montane cloud forests, especially Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve in Costa Rica
How are jaguars studied in the wild?
Discover how ecotourism at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve aids conservation
Exploring the biodiversity of Corcovado National Park
The fading tradition of gold prospecting in Costa Rica
National anthem of Costa Rica
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Laura Chinchilla
Laura Chinchilla
president of Costa Rica
Óscar Arias Sánchez
Óscar Arias Sánchez
president of Costa Rica
José Figueres Ferrer
José Figueres Ferrer
president of Costa Rica
Daniel Oduber Quirós
Costa Rican politician
Rodrigo Carazo Odio
president of Costa Rica

Related Places

Latin America
history of Latin America
North America
North America
continent
Central America
Central America
San José: cathedral
San José
national capital, Costa Rica
Limón
Costa Rica
Heredia
Costa Rica
Puntarenas
Costa Rica
Cartago: Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels
Cartago
Costa Rica
Golfito
Costa Rica
Alajuela
Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa Rica
Liberia
Costa Rica
Guanacaste
province, Costa Rica
Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula
peninsula, Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula: Corcovado National Park
Osa Peninsula
peninsula, Costa Rica
Cocos Island
Cocos Island
island, Costa Rica

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