Costa Rica

Hang ten in this peaceful oasis: the local wildlife highly recommends it.

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny nation, draws well over a million visitors every year - and you can see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and finish passed out on a hot sandy beach.

Man vs Wild: Costa Rican Rain Forest

America - Costa Rica

Costa Rica.

Map Costa Rica

Costa Rica, country in southern Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama. It has coasts along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Costa Rica, which means "rich coast" in Spanish, was named by Christopher Columbus and his explorers, who expected to find gold here. Their hopes were misplaced, and Costa Rica became one of Spain's poorest colonies. The situation began to improve after Costa Rica gained independence in 1821. Today, the country is known for having the highest standard of living in Central America as well as the highest literacy rate and longest lifespan. Costa Rica has had a stable democracy since the late 1800s.

More people are of Spanish descent in Costa Rica than anywhere else in Central America. Most of the Native American inhabitants died off or fled after Spanish settlers arrived. Today, the country has small mestizo (mixed Spanish and Native American) and black populations.

Most of Costa Rica's people live in the interior highlands rather than along the coasts. The country's capital, San JosÃ©, and other large cities are in the central highlands. The most fertile farmland is also here. For years Costa Rica was known for its two principal crops: coffee and bananas. Although these crops remain important, Costa Rica's economy today depends more on industry and tourism than on agriculture. Computer chips are among the products manufactured in the country. Beaches, "cloud forests" high in the mountains, and national parks filled with colorful birds, butterflies, and plants attract many tourists to Costa Rica each year.

Costa Rica has no long rivers. The principal stream is the San Juan River, the outlet of Lake Nicaragua. The San Juan River forms part of Costa Rica's boundary with Nicaragua to the north. The Reventazon River drains the southern central plateau, flowing eastward through deep gorges to the Caribbean. The RÃo Grande de Tarcoles drains the northwestern part of the central plateau and empties into the Pacific. Costa Rica's only natural lake of any significant size is Lake Arenal, which is located on the eastern side of the Cordillera de Guanacaste.

The climate of Costa Rica ranges from tropical on the coastal plains to temperate in the interior highlands. Average annual temperatures range from 31.7C (89F) on the coast to 16.7C (62F) inland. Rainfall is abundant. Along the Caribbean coast annual rainfall totals 2,000 to 2,500 mm (80 to 100 in) or more. The Caribbean coast has seasons of more rain and less rain but has no well-defined dry season. On the Pacific side, near Panama, the rainfall is also heavy, but there is a short dry season. In San Jose on the central plateau, the rainy season lasts from May through October, and annual rainfall averages nearly 2,000 mm (77 in). Rainfall is greatest in the mountains. Annual precipitation in the country averages about 3,000 to 3,500 millimeters (120 to 140 inches).

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