2012 Edition

Background

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. In 1949, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including

disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. In 1949, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.

Area

51,100 sq km 51,060 sq km 40 sq km includes Isla del Coco

total

51,100 sq km

water

40 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate

tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Coastline

1,290 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

highest point

Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%) 619 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

619 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.68 cu km/yr (29%/17%/53%)

Geographic coordinates

10 00 N, 84 00 W

Geography - note

four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65

Irrigated land

1,080 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

639 km Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

border countries

Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

total

639 km

Land use

4.4% 5.87% 89.73% (2005)

arable land

4.4%

other

89.73% (2005)

permanent crops

5.87%

Location

Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 nm

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes Arenal (elev. 1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (elev. 3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba

volcanism

Arenal (elev. 1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (elev. 3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba

Natural resources

hydropower

Terrain

coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Total renewable water resources

112.4 cu km (2000)

Age structure

24.2% (male 572,665/ female 547,458) 69.3% (male 1,614,495/ female 1,597,010) 6.6% (male 141,075/ female 163,645) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

24.2% (male 572,665/ female 547,458)

15-64 years

69.3% (male 1,614,495/ female 1,597,010)

65 years and over

6.6% (male 141,075/ female 163,645) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

16.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

4.38 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Demographic profile

Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. The average number of children born per women has fallen from about 7 in the 1960s to 3.5 in the early 1980s to below replacement level today. Costa Rica's poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades. Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica's population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field.

Education expenditures

6.3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%

Health expenditures

10.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,800 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

9.2 deaths/1,000 live births 10.03 deaths/1,000 live births 8.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

8.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

9.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

77.89 years 75.26 years 80.65 years (2012 est.)

female

80.65 years (2012 est.)

total population

77.89 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.9% 94.7% 95.1% (2000 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.1% (2000 census)

male

94.7%

total population

94.9%

Major cities - population

SAN JOSE (capital) 1.416 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea dengue fever (2009)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

40 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.2 years 28.7 years 29.6 years (2012 est.)

female

29.6 years (2012 est.)

male

28.7 years

total

29.2 years

Nationality

Costa Rican(s) Costa Rican

adjective

Costa Rican

noun

Costa Rican(s)

Net migration rate

0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2000)

Population

4,636,348 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.288% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 95% of population rural: 96% of population total: 95% of population urban: 5% of population rural: 4% of population total: 5% of population

rural

4% of population

total

5% of population

urban

5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2005)

female

12 years (2005)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

11% 9.6% 13.4% (2008)

female

13.4% (2008)

total

11%

Urbanization

64% of total population (2010) 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

64% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Capital

San Jose 9 56 N, 84 05 W UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

9 56 N, 84 05 W

name

San Jose

time difference

UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

7 November 1949

Country name

Republic of Costa Rica Costa Rica Republica de Costa Rica Costa Rica

conventional long form

Republic of Costa Rica

conventional short form

Costa Rica

local long form

Republica de Costa Rica

local short form

Costa Rica

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Anne Slaughter ANDREW Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose APO AA 34020 [506] 2519-2000 [506] 2519-2305

chief of mission

Ambassador Anne Slaughter ANDREW

embassy

Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose

FAX

[506] 2519-2305

mailing address

APO AA 34020

telephone

[506] 2519-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 480-2200 [1] (202) 265-4795 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

chancery

2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-4795

telephone

[1] (202) 480-2200

Executive branch

President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010) Cabinet selected by the president president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014) Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda elected president; percent of vote - Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (PLN) 46.7%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 25.1%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (ML) 20.8%

cabinet

Cabinet selected by the president

chief of state

President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda elected president; percent of vote - Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (PLN) 46.7%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 25.1%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (ML) 20.8%

elections

president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014)

head of government

President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010)

Flag description

five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed

Government type

democratic republic

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)

Legal system

civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 24, PAC 11, ML 9, PUSC 6, PASE 4, other 3

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 24, PAC 11, ML 9, PUSC 6, PASE 4, other 3

elections

last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica) Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the United States and United Kingdom; the lyrics were added in 1903

lyrics/music

Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ

name

"Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

National symbol(s)

clay-colored robin known as Yiguirro

Political parties and leaders

Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Elizabeth FONSECA]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Jose MERINO del Rio]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Bernal JIMENEZ]; National Restoration Party or PRN; Patriotic Alliance [Mariano FIGUERES Olsen]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Gerardo VARGAS]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Agriculture - products

bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber

Budget

$6.949 billion $8.937 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$8.937 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$6.949 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

21.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 23% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16% (31 December 2012 est.) 16.15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.556 billion (2012 est.) -$2.2 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$12.04 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.75 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

50.3 (2009) 45.9 (1997)

Economy - overview

Prior to the global economic crisis, Costa Rica enjoyed stable economic growth. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 but resumed growth at about 4.5% per year in 2010-12. While the traditional agricultural exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are still the backbone of commodity export trade, a variety of industrial and specialized agricultural products have broadened export trade in recent years. High value added goods and services, including microchips, have further bolstered exports. Tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange, as Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; and Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. However, many business impediments remain such as high levels of bureaucracy, legal uncertainty due to overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, difficulty of enforcing contracts, and weak investor protection. Poverty has remained around 15-20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Unlike the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is not highly dependent on remittances as they only represent about 2% of GDP. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of mostly unskilled labor but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. The US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force on 1 January 2009 after significant delays within the Costa Rican legislature. CAFTA-DR has increased foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including the insurance and telecommunications sectors recently opened to private investors. President CHINCHILLA was not able to gain legislative approval for fiscal reform, her top priority, though she continued to pursue fiscal reform in 2012. President CHINCHILLA and the PLN were successful in passing a tax on corporations to fund an increase for security services.

Exchange rates

Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar - 504.5 (2012 est.) 505.66 (2011 est.) 525.83 (2010 est.) 573.29 (2009) 530.41 (2008)

Exports

$11.47 billion (2012 est.) $10.38 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment

Exports - partners

US 30.4%, China 11.3%, Netherlands 10.9%, UK 9.6%, Mexico 8.5% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

6.2% 21.1% 72.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

6.2%

industry

21.1%

services

72.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,600 (2012 est.) $12,100 (2011 est.) $11,800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.8% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$44.88 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$58.6 billion (2012 est.) $55.92 billion (2011 est.) $53.68 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.2% 39.5% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

39.5% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1.2%

Imports

$16.79 billion (2012 est.) $15.53 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials

Imports - partners

US 43%, Mexico 7%, China 6.2%, Japan 6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.5% (2012 est.) 4.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

2.196 million this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

14% 22% 64% (2006 est.)

agriculture

14%

industry

22%

services

64% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.443 billion (31 December 2011) $1.445 billion (31 December 2010) $1.452 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

24.2% (2010 est.)

Public debt

47.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.461 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.756 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$20.09 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $18.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$729.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $704.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$18.59 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $16.34 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$23.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $19.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$4.209 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.693 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2012 est.) 6.5% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.411 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

7,361 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

8.144 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

38 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

24.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

61.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

62 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.49 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

9.113 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

50,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

737 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

39,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

12,090 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

multiple privately-owned TV stations and 1 publicly-owned TV station; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately-owned radio stations and a public radio network (2007)

Internet country code

.cr

Internet hosts

147,258 (2012)

Internet users

1.485 million (2009)

Telephone system

good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; under the terms of CAFTA-DR, the state-run telecommunications monopoly is scheduled to be opened to competition from domestic and international firms, but has been slow to open to competition point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available country code - 506; landing points for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), MAYA-1, and the Pan American Crossing submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available

general assessment

good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; under the terms of CAFTA-DR, the state-run telecommunications monopoly is scheduled to be opened to competition from domestic and international firms, but has been slow to open to competition

international

country code - 506; landing points for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), MAYA-1, and the Pan American Crossing submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.234 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.358 million (2011)

Airports

153 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

14 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

23

total

41

under 914 m

14 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

93 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

19

total

112

under 914 m

93 (2012)

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

total

1

Pipelines

refined products 662 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Caldera, Puerto Limon

Railways

278 km 278 km 1.067-m gauge none of the railway network is in use (2008)

total

278 km

Roadways

38,049 km 9,619 km 28,430 km (2004)

total

38,049 km

unpaved

28,430 km (2004)

Waterways

730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

1,255,798 1,230,202 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,230,202 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,255,798

Manpower fit for military service

1,058,419 1,037,053 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,037,053 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,058,419

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

42,201 40,444 (2010 est.)

female

40,444 (2010 est.)

male

42,201

Military branches

no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2011)

Military expenditures

0.6% of GDP includes public security and police expenditures (2009)

Disputes - international

the ICJ had given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty

Illicit drugs

transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

10,297 (Colombia) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

10,297 (Colombia) (2011)