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Costa Rica
Costa Rica! What a wonderful place to learn Spanish. Sun, beach and sea! Total immersion is the best way to learn a language, especially if combined with: • a good grammar learning system,(see on the Grammar pages on this site... • an efficient and rapid vocabulary learning system (if you are not learning 200 words a day you are using an outdated system, and burning up a fair bit of your time. . . .take a few days to study up on the vocab before you launch off! • . . . and an onsite course with a good teacher.
For more information on how to learn Spanish in Costa Rica click on the link.
For truly extensive and up-to-date information on all aspects of living, investing, visiting, experiencing Costa Rica check out the website of Scott Oliver, Founder and manager of www.WeLoveCostaRica.com. He is a Brit, who did ten years in New York on Wall Street and has now left the rat-race for the pleasures and joys of Escazu, from where he publishes his extensive website, providing expert information about living, investing, real estate and business in this Central American paradise.... Click here for www.WeLoveCostaRica.com. Here are a few hundred fun facts for you to bone up on before you scoot off to Central America to learn Spanish. Information on Costa RicaA Central American success story with only brief periods of violence marring its democratic development since the late nineteenth century.Mainly an agricultural country there are now strong technology and tourism sectors.The standard of living is relatively high. Land and property ownership is widespread. Geography information on Costa RicaGeographical Position: Middle America, by Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Panama and Nicaragua. Latitude & Longitude: : 10 degrees North, 84 degrees West. Area Land boundaries: Coastline: 1,290 kilometres Climate information on: Terrain: coastal plains are separated by mountainous terrain including major volcanoes. Elevation highs & lows:lowest elevation: Pacific Ocean at sea levelhighest elevation: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 metres. Natural resources: hydroelectric power. Land use: Irrigated land: 1,260 square kilometres (1998 estimate) Natural hazards :Earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, landslides; volcanic activity Geography information: People information on Costa RicaTotal population: 3,900,000 (July 2003 estimate) Age Distribution: -:under age 14 yrs: 30% Median age: Rate of Growth of Population: 1% (2003 estimate) Birth Rate: Net Rate of Migration: Rate of Infant Mortality: Life Expectancy: Name given to People: Costa Rican Racial groupings: European (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, other 2% Religious Groupings: Languages: Spanish (official), some English in areas Literacy: : definition: age 15 and over can read and write Government information on Costa RicaRepublic of Costa Rica - Republica de Costa RicaSystem of Government : Democratic Republic Capital: San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 National holiday: Date of Independence: 15 September 1821Constitution: 7 November 1949 Legal & Law System: : based on Spanish civil legal system. Voting system: : universal at 18 years of age. Head of State : President who is both the Head of state and head of government. Cabinet of country: Cabinet is selected by the President. Election system: Vote for 4 year terms. Economy information on Costa RicaStrong and stable economy whose mainstays are tourism, agriculture, electronic products exports. Major reductions in poverty. GDP: - $USD32 billion (2002 estimate) GDP growth rate: 2% (2002 estimate) GDP per head of population: - $USD8,500 (2002 estimate) GDP make-up by sector: Population below level of poverty: 20% (1999 estimate) Household income by %age share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 34% (2001) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (2002 estimate) Labour force: 1 million (1999) Labour force - by occupation: agriculture sector 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 estimate) Unemployment rate: 6% (2002 estimate) Budget Figures: Industries: Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2002 estimate) Imports: $USD6 billion (2002) Debt external: $USD4 billion (2002 estimate) Currency: colon (CRC) Currency code: CRC Communications information on Costa RicaTelephones - main lines in use: 450,000 (1998)Radio Stations : AM 50, FM 43, SW 19Television broadcast stations: 6 (1997) Internet Code: .cr Transport, Travel to Costa Rica, TourismRailways : Total: 950 kilometres Roading : Navigable Waterways : 730 kilometres Pipeline Distances : petroleum products 176 kilometres Commercial Harbours/Ports : Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas Airports-Aerodromes : 151 (2002) Military informationMilitary groupings & departments : no regular local military forces; Air Section, Ministry of Public Forces (Fuerza Publica)Military Spending - dollar figure: $USD69 million (FY99) Military Spending - percent of GDP: 1% (FY99) International IssuesNavigation rights of Rio San Juan with Nicaragua. Flag of Costa RicaClick here for the Flag of Costa Rica and its history, information and facts.Map of Costa RicaClick here for the Map of Costa Rica and its history and facts.History of Costa RicaClick here for the History of Costa Rica and historical facts.Info sourced and adapted from the CIA Factbook . Learn Spanish Help. Copyright 2011. Andorra | Argentina | Belize | Bolivia | Colombia | Chile | Costa Rica | Cuba | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | El Salvador | Gibraltar | Guatemala | Honduras | Mexico | Nicaragua | Panama | Peru | Puerto Rico | Spain | Uruguay | Venezuela | |
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