COSTA RICA 



1 f,( 10 



COSTIGAN 



about half the size of the state of Pennsylvania. 

 Perhaps the most remarkable features relat- 

 ing to Costa Rica are that it is a peaceful 

 country, seldom disturbed by such revolutions 

 as are current among its northern neighbors; 

 it takes great pride in its educational facili- 

 ties, and its schools have more students than 

 there are men in its army and police force. 

 Costa Rica has conscientiously tried to develop 



LOCATION OF COSTA RICA 



The map shows, also, the proportions of Central 

 America occupied by its southernmost republic. 



a national spirit of progress and enlighten- 

 ment, under the guiding hand of the white 

 element. Native Indians do not gain the 

 ascendency, as in some republics of Latin 

 America. 



Surface and Climate. The country is trav- 

 ersed by a range of volcanic mountains, which 

 form a link in the gigantic chain extending 

 from Alaska to Cape Horn. Some peaks rise 

 to a height of 10,000 and 11,000 feet. Earth- 

 quakes occur frequently, but only two of its 

 volcanoes, Irazu and Turrialba, have shown 

 recent signs of activity. From the Atlantic 

 and the Pacific coasts the land slopes upward 

 to a plateau, the gradual ascent of which marks 

 distinct variations in climate. Below an ele- 

 vation of 3,000 feet is the torrid zone; from 

 3,000 to 7,000 feet is a temperate zone, and 

 above that again is a much colder region in 

 which frosts are frequent, though snow is 

 scarce. The climate is healthful and fevers 

 occur only in a few low-lying districts. 



Resources. .Costa Rica is essentially an agri- 

 cultural country, and nearly every adult male 



is a landholder. Under a carefully-planned 

 system the government allots land to appli- 

 cants on advantageous terms, but in no case 

 in larger lots than 500 hectares (1,235 acres). 

 This plan has done much to increase the effi- 

 ciency of agriculture. The most profitable 

 product is the banana, of which millions of 

 bunches are annually exported. Next comes 

 coffee, which is of excellent quality and in de- 

 mand in all markets. Sugar, cacao, rice and 

 corn are also grown, but only for local con- 

 sumption. Stock raising is carried on, and tin- 

 forests are yielding an increasing quantity of 

 lumber. Silver, gol'd and copper are mined and 

 exported in considerable quantities. 



Population. The total population is about 

 400,000. The ruling class consists of the 

 descendants of old Spanish colonists. The 

 native Indians are of a peaceful and indus- 

 trious nature and live in harmony with the 

 whites. There are also about 6,000 foreign- 

 born residents, chiefly German and Spanish. 

 The religion of the state is Roman Catholic, 

 but religious liberty is guaranteed all creeds. 



Government and History. The President is 

 elected for four years and, strangely enough 

 in Central America, holds the office for the 

 full period without fear of uprisings to unseat 

 him. He is assisted by a council, also elected 

 for four years, numbering one member for 

 every 8,000 inhabitants. The capital is San 

 Jose, and there are two important ports, Punta 

 Arenas on the Pacific coast and Limon on the 

 Atlantic. Limon is rapidly developing into a 

 modern little city; in 1913 its population was 

 7,012. San Jose is described elsewhere in these 

 volumes. 



Costa Rica was discovered and named by 

 Christopher Columbus in 1502, but was not 

 colonized until thirty years later. Until 1821 

 it formed part of Guatemala, but then became 

 a part of Mexico. Since 1848 it has been an 

 independent republic, having for a few years 

 previously been a part of the United States 

 of Central America. For its history as a part of 

 the federation, see CENTRAL AMERICA. F.ST.A. 



Consult Palmer's Central America and Her 

 Problems; Calvo's The Republic of Costa Rica. 



COSTIGAN, kos'tigan, JOHN (1835- ), a 

 Canadian political leader, for forty years one 

 of the most influential members of the Domin- 

 ion House of Commons and since 1907 a Sen- 

 ator of the Dominion. Though born in Quebec, 

 at Saint Nicholas, his early political career 

 was in New Brunswick, where he sat in the 

 legislature and also held a minor judgeship. 



