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Central America and Caribbean :: Costa Rica

- ## Introduction :: COSTA RICA

- 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.

- ## Geography :: COSTA RICA

- Location:
  Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
  Geographic coordinates:
  10 00 N, 84 00 W
  Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean
  Area:
  total: 51,100 sq km
  land: 51,060 sq km
  water: 40 sq km
  note: includes Isla del Coco
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than West Virginia
  Land boundaries:
  total: 661 km
  border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km, Panama 348 km
  Coastline:
  1,290 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  continental shelf: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
  Terrain:
  coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
  Natural resources:
  hydropower
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 37.1%
  arable land 4.9%; permanent crops 6.7%; permanent pasture 25.5%
  forest: 51.5%
  other: 11.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  1,031 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  112.4 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 5.77 cu km/yr (15%/9%/77%)
  per capita: 1,582 cu m/yr (2006)
  Natural hazards:
  occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
  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
  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:
  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
  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

- ## People and Society :: COSTA RICA

- Nationality:
  noun: Costa Rican(s)
  adjective: Costa Rican
  Ethnic groups:
  white or mestizo 83.6%, mulato 6.7%, indigenous 2.4%, black of African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)
  Languages:
  Spanish (official), English
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
  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.
  Population:
  4,814,144 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 23.12% (male 569,181/female 543,835)
  15-24 years: 17.1% (male 419,712/female 403,668)
  25-54 years: 43.9% (male 1,062,378/female 1,051,058)
  55-64 years: 8.6% (male 202,401/female 211,709)
  65 years and over: 7.27% (male 161,831/female 188,371) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 45.4%
  youth dependency ratio: 32.4%
  elderly dependency ratio: 12.9%
  potential support ratio: 7.7% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 30.4 years
  male: 30 years
  female: 30.9 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.22% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Birth rate:
  15.91 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Death rate:
  4.55 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Net migration rate:
  0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 76.8% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 2.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  SAN JOSE (capital) 1.17 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 8.46 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 9.25 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 7.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 78.4 years
  male: 75.75 years
  female: 81.19 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Total fertility rate:
  1.9 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  76.2% (2011)
  Health expenditures:
  9.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 23
  Physicians density:
  1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
  Hospital bed density:
  1.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 99.6% of population
  rural: 91.9% of population
  total: 97.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0.4% of population
  rural: 8.1% of population
  total: 2.2% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 95.2% of population
  rural: 92.3% of population
  total: 94.5% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 4.8% of population
  rural: 7.7% of population
  total: 5.5% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.26% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  8,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  200 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: intermediate
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
  vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  24% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  1.1% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Education expenditures:
  6.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 97.8%
  male: 97.7%
  female: 97.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 14 years
  male: 13 years
  female: 14 years (2013)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 39,082
  percentage: 5% (2002 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 18.4%
  male: 15%
  female: 24.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 62

- ## Government :: COSTA RICA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica
  conventional short form: Costa Rica
  local long form: Republica de Costa Rica
  local short form: Costa Rica
  Government type:
  democratic republic
  Capital:
  name: San Jose
  geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W
  time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
  Independence:
  15 September 1821 (from Spain)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
  Constitution:
  previous 1825; latest adopted 7 November 1949; amended many times, last in 2005; note - amendment declaring Costa Rica a multicultural, multiethnic country pending final Legislative Assembly approval (2015)
  Legal system:
  civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal and compulsory
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACON Echeverria (since 8 May 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (since 8 May 2014); First Vice President Helio FALLAS Venega (since 8 May 2014); Second Vice President Ana Helena CHACON Echeverria (since 8 May 2014)
  cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
  elections/appointments: president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 2 February 2014 with a runoff on 6 April 2014 (next to be held in February 2018)
  election results: Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera elected president; percent of vote - Luis Guillermo SOLIS Rivera (PAC) 77.8%; Johnny ARAYA (PLN) 22.2%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 2 February 2014 (next to be held in February 2018)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 18, PAC 13, FA 9, PUSC 8, PML 4, other 5
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges, and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly
  subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal
  Political parties and leaders:
  Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]
  Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA]
  Citizen Action Party or PAC [Olivier PEREZ Gonzalez]
  Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]
  Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales]
  National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]
  National Liberation Party or PLN [Bernal JIMENEZ]
  National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO]
  Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover]
  Popular Vanguard [Humberto VARGAS]
  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)
  Confederation of Workers Rerum Novarum or CTRN (National Libertion Party affiliate)
  Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (National Libertion 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
  International organization participation:
  BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, 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, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Roman MACAYA Hayes (since 18 September 2014)
  chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 480-2200
  FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
  consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (FL), Washington DC; note - honorary consulates: Boston, Dallas, Denver, Tucson (AZ)
  consulate(s): San Francisco
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gonzalo GALLEGOS (since July 2013)
  embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
  mailing address: APO AA 34020
  telephone: [506] 2519-2000
  FAX: [506] 2519-2305
  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 placed 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
  note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
  National symbol(s):
  yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red
  National anthem:
  name: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
  lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
  note: 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

- ## Economy :: COSTA RICA

- 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% per year in 2010-14. 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 medical devices, 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, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and legal uncertainty due to difficulty of enforcing contracts and overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, remain impediments to greater competitiveness. Costa Rica’s economy also faces challenges due to a rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. Poverty has remained around 20-25% 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, which in 2013 represented 1.1% 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.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $70.97 billion (2014 est.)
  $68.57 billion (2013 est.)
  $66.29 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 93
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $48.14 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3.5% (2014 est.)
  3.4% (2013 est.)
  5.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $14,900 (2014 est.)
  $14,400 (2013 est.)
  $13,900 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Gross national saving:
  14.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  15.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  16.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 64.9%
  government consumption: 18.1%
  investment in fixed capital: 22%
  investment in inventories: 0.6%
  exports of goods and services: 36.2%
  imports of goods and services: -41.8%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 6%
  industry: 20.5%
  services: 73.4% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber
  Industries:
  medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
  Industrial production growth rate:
  4.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Labor force:
  2.257 million
  note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 14%
  industry: 22%
  services: 64% (2006 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  8.2% (2014 est.)
  8.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Population below poverty line:
  24.8% (2011 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 1.2%
  highest 10%: 39.5% (2009 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  50.3 (2009)
  45.9 (1997)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Budget:
  revenues: $6.931 billion
  expenditures: $9.728 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  13.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -5.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Public debt:
  59.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  54.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.2% (2014 est.)
  5.2% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Central bank discount rate:
  21.5% (31 December 2010)
  23% (31 December 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  15.4% (31 December 2014 est.)
  15.19% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Stock of narrow money:
  $4.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $4.599 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 103
  Stock of broad money:
  $17.41 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $17.15 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $26.95 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $24.94 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $2.015 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  $1.443 billion (31 December 2011)
  $1.445 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Current account balance:
  -$2.151 billion (2014 est.)
  -$2.529 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Exports:
  $11.75 billion (2014 est.)
  $11.53 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Exports - commodities:
  bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment
  Exports - partners:
  US 38.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Panama 5.3%, Nicaragua 4.4%, Guatemala 4.1% (2014)
  Imports:
  $17.91 billion (2014 est.)
  $17.15 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Imports - commodities:
  raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials
  Imports - partners:
  US 44.4%, China 10%, Mexico 6.7% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $7.067 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $7.331 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Debt - external:
  $18.37 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $17.19 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
  $24.71 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $22.25 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $2.492 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.292 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 73
  Exchange rates:
  Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
  539.3 (2014 est.)
  499.77 (2013 est.)
  502.9 (2012 est.)
  505.66 (2011 est.)
  525.83 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: COSTA RICA

- Electricity - production:
  9.889 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Electricity - consumption:
  8.792 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Electricity - exports:
  402 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Electricity - imports:
  419 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 81
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  2.944 million kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  29.3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  57.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 36
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  13.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Crude oil - production:
  400 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Crude oil - imports:
  10,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  10,630 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  54,170 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  1,898 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  40,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  7.29 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115

- ## Communications :: COSTA RICA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 880,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 7.1 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 149 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Telephone system:
  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
  domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available
  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)
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
  Television broadcast stations:
  20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
  Internet country code:
  .cr
  Internet users:
  total: 2.4 million
  percent of population: 50.9% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 92

- ## Transportation :: COSTA RICA

- Airports:
  161 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 47
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
  914 to 1,523 m: 27
  under 914 m: 16 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 114
  914 to 1,523 m: 18
  under 914 m:
  96 (2013)
  Pipelines:
  refined products 662 km (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 278 km
  narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge
  note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Roadways:
  total: 39,018 km
  paved: 10,133 km
  unpaved: 28,885 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Waterways:
  730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Merchant marine:
  total: 1
  by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon; Pacific Ocean - Caldera

- ## Military :: COSTA RICA

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2011)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,255,798
  females age 16-49: 1,230,202 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,058,419
  females age 16-49: 1,037,053 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 42,201
  female: 40,444 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: COSTA RICA

- Disputes - international:
  Costa Rica and Nicaragua regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  refugees (country of origin): 16,623 (Colombia) (2014)
  stateless persons: 1,200 (2014)
  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)

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