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Programs Offered:
WISE Abroad offers study
abroad,
internship and
Teach English as a Second
Language programs in
San Jose, Costa Rica.
Costa Rica has become a famous destination for students and
international visitors around the world because of its stable
government, rich
culture, well preserved and diverse rain forests, and its
globally recognized ecotourism activities.
   
About Costa Rica and San Jose, Costa Rica:
Costa Rica is widely known as the king of ecotourism in Central
America. Within Costa Rica’s 51,200 square kilometers there is a
wider variety of species of birds than in all of Europe or North
America. With a population of roughly three and a half million
inhabitants, Costa Rica also boasts of one of the oldest
democracies in Latin America. In 1869, primary education for
both sexes was declared obligatory and free of cost, paid by the
State. In 1949 the armed forces were abolished and in 1983
Perpetual Neutrality was proclaimed. World recognized
international human rights organizations have their headquarters
in Costa Rica. Because of its rich and lush 1500 kilometers of
tropical sun-bathed beaches and the wild diversity of flora and
fauna to be found in its diverse microclimates, and its well
managed national parks, Costa Rica has earned its reputation as
king of ecotourism.
San Jose, the capital, is on a plateau in the Central Valley at
1500 meters elevation. It is ringed by lush green mountains and
valleys, with easy access to volcanoes, the rain forest and
beautiful beaches within one to two hours drive.
Costa Rica's microclimates vary from the barren cold volcanic
tundra to the lush cloud forest, from the thick jungle of
Talamanca to the tropical dry forests of Guanacaste, from serene
gold-colored beaches where the Baulas Tortoises build their
nests to the meandering Tortuguero Canals where the crocodile
reigns. However, Costa Rica's climate in general can best be
described as mild. There is a 'dry" season (equivalent to summer
and spring) when temperatures extend in the high 60’s to low
70’s (20 –23 degrees C), lasting from December to May, and a
"wet" season from June to November when mornings are normally
sunny and showers may happen in the afternoon. On areas near the
coasts, temperatures may be as much as ten degrees higher, where
as at Chirripó Peak, the highest mountain in Costa Rica (3800
meters), temperatures may drop down to the freezing point.
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Population
4,016,173 (July 2005 est.)
Religion
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses
1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Language
Spanish Government Type
Democratic Republic
Economy:
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism,
agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been
substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong
social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors
remain attracted by the country's political stability and high
education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign
exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the
agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with
its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of
inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the
price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits.
The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern
of public expenditure. Costa Rica recently concluded
negotiations to participate in the US-Central American Free
Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican
Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved
investment climate.
NOTE: Please visit the CIA World
FactBook for more country facts at:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
Source: CIA World Factbook |
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