Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 51,100 sq km
country comparison to the world: 130
land: 51,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km
note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 639 km
border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,290 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 4.89%
permanent crops: 6.46%
other: 88.65% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,031 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
112.4 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.77 cu km/yr (15%/9%/77%)
per capita: 1,582 cu m/yr (2006)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Costa Rican(s)
adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spanish (official), English
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Demographic profile:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,695,942 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 23.8% (male 571,383/female 546,152)
15-24 years: 17.8% (male 427,047/female 411,110)
25-54 years: 43.6% (male 1,027,179/female 1,018,358)
55-64 years: 8% (male 184,292/female 191,396)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 147,615/female 171,410) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 44 %
youth dependency ratio: 33.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 10.1 %
potential support ratio: 9.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 29.6 years
male: 29.1 years
female: 30 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.27% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.25 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.44 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 64% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
SAN JOSE (capital) 1.515 million (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 116
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8.95 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 152
male: 9.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 78.06 years
country comparison to the world: 58
male: 75.43 years
female: 80.83 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.91 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
82.2% (2010)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 16
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.32 physicians/1,000 population (2000)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 73
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 130
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 32
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.3%
male: 96%
female: 96.5% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 39,082
percentage: 5 % (2002 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18.4%
country comparison to the world: 67
male: 15%
female: 24.2% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
democratic republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1825; latest adopted 7 November 1949; amended many times, last in 2005 (2005)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (since 8 May 2010); First Vice President Alfio PIVA Mesen (since 8 May 2010); Second Vice President Luis LIBERMAN Ginsburg (since 8 May 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014)
election results: Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda elected president; percent of vote - Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda (PLN) 46.7%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 25.1%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (ML) 20.8%, other 7.4%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 24, PAC 11, ML 9, PUSC 6, PASE 4, other 3
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), 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, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs (since 7 September 2010)
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 480-2200
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
consulate(s): Austin
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gonzalo GALLEGOS
embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020
telephone: [506] 2519-2000
FAX: [506] 2519-2305
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk 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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
clay-colored robin known as Yiguirro
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Prior to the global economic crisis, Costa Rica enjoyed stable economic growth. The economy contracted 1.3% in 2009 but resumed growth at about 4.5% per year in 2010-12. 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 microchips, 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, many business impediments remain, such as high levels of bureaucracy, legal uncertainty due to overlapping and at times conflicting responsibilities between agencies, difficulty of enforcing contracts, and weak investor protection. 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 as they only represent about 2% 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. President CHINCHILLA was not able to gain legislative approval for fiscal reform, her top priority, though she continued to pursue fiscal reform in 2012. President CHINCHILLA and the PLN were successful in passing a tax on corporations to fund an increase for security services.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$58.55 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$44.5 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 65.1%
government consumption: 17.9%
investment in fixed capital: 20.2%
investment in inventories: 1%
exports of goods and services: 37.7%
imports of goods and services: -41.8%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 21.5%
services: 72.4% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef, poultry, dairy; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
microprocessors, food processing, medical equipment, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.182 million
country comparison to the world: 119
note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 14%
industry: 22%
services: 64% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24.8% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 39.5% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50.3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 21
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $6.506 billion
expenditures: $8.501 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.21% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.197 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.09 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$21.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.443 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 101
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-2.341 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.44 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; beef; seafood; electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 38.9%, Netherlands 7.5%, Panama 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.6%, Nicaragua 4.4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.75 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, construction materials
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 49.8%, China 8.2%, Mexico 6.6% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.857 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13.81 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$18.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.481 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.473 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.532 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
135 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
164 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
290.7 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 117
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,630 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,898 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 125
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.806 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.018 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 75
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.151 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 100
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.cr
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
147,258 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 78
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.485 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 82
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
161 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 35
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 114
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refined products 662 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 278 km
country comparison to the world: 122
narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge
note: none of the railway network is in use (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 39,018 km
country comparison to the world: 90
paved: 10,133 km
unpaved: 28,885 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 75
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 154
by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) Puerto Limon; Pacific Ocean - Caldera
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,255,798
females age 16-49: 1,230,202 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,058,419
females age 16-49: 1,037,053 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 42,201
female: 40,444 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the ICJ had given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 10,305 (Colombia) (2012)