| THE PEOPLE |
The expression "Pura Vida," literally translated as "Pure Life," best describes the Costa Rican way of life. Ticos, as the locals commonly call themselves, are their country's greatest asset and are renowned for their friendliness. They are warm hearted, gracious, educated, entrepreneurial and ready to accept you into their country, their lives, and their homes. In addition, foreigners are usually pleasantly surprised to discover how many of their neighbors are also from foreign soil.
Population: 4,016,173 (2005)
Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken
Literacy: 95%
In the face of accelerated population and economic growth, it remains a tranquil place to live. The democratic government abolished the army in 1949 and has renounced aggressive militarism, to divert resources that otherwise would be consumed by the military towards, education, medical care, and services for the good of all. Costa Rica boasts a higher literacy, and life expectancy rate, than the United States, and is a peaceful, progressive country where democracy and stability are hallmarks. It is still a country of small farms and businesses, with an air of prosperity and feeling of equality among its citizens. In many ways it is a step back in time when the US was a less hurried, more considerate, less crowded place.
Standard of Living Indicators
Life expectancy: 76.1 years
Literacy rate: 94.7%
Population served with piped water: 99%
Public health services coverage: 90.4% of population.
Health expenditures: 27.8% of Goverment Total
Acces to telephone service: 92% of population.
According to AACCLA, Association of American Chambers of Commerce in Latin America, Costa Rica 's labor force was rated as the most productive and fast learning in Latin America.
According to the United Nation's Human Development Index(HDI) for 1999, Costa Rica has one of the highest ratings for quality of human resources among developing nations. |
 |
|
