2. The Flag of Costa Rica
The blue color stands for the sky, opportunities,
idealism and perseverance. The white color
stands for peace, wisdom and happiness. The red
color stands for the blood spilt by martyrs in
defense of the country, as well as the warmth and
generosity of the people.
3. Why Doesn’t Costa Rica Have an Army?
• The constitution of 1949 abolished the army in Costa
Rica. This document was forged in the aftermath of the short
civil war. The delegates who wrote and ratified the
constitution believed that a standing army was too great an
expense given the nature of Costa Rica's emerging
economy. They believed that the money could be better spent
in other areas and that a police force would be perfectly
capable of maintaining the civil order. An army may only be
formed in the case of a continental agreement, or in case it is
needed for national defense.
4. Coffee Production in Costa Rica
• The coffee production in Costa Rica played a key role
in the country’s history and still is important for the
Costa Rican economy. Coffee production in the
country relies on cheap, seasonal labor: Nicaraguan
immigrants are often employed on plantations.
Coffee cultivators in the country are paid very little,
often as little as US$1.5 per basket picked, but the
wages are not less than in many other industries of
the Costa Rican primary sectors.
5. Laura Chinchilla
The First Female President
• Costa Rica elected its first female president
last year. In August, FORBES named her the
NO. 86 most powerful woman in the world.
• She has faced budget deficit, border war with
neighbor Nicaragua, and drug cartels.
Even President Chinchilla knows the importance of the
GIG EM sign!
6. Volcanoes of Costa Rica
• Costa Rica is home to a great number of
volcanoes. There are six active volcanoes and
another 61 dormant or extinct ones. If you
look closely among most of the volcanoes, you
can see what Costa Ricans call the “Cloud
Forest.”
7. Pura Vida!
• Pura = pure and Vida = life. "Pure life”
• It can be used both as a greeting and a
farewell, to express satisfaction, to politely
express indifference when describing
something or even to say "thank you" or
"you're welcome".
