Geography of Costa Rica – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Costa Rica including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Costa Rica.
- Costa Rica officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, and Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island.
- It has a population of around five million in a land area of 51,060 km2 (19,710 sq mi).
- Costa Rica was sparsely inhabited by indigenous peoples before coming under Spanish rule in the 16th century.
- The country has consistently performed favorably in the Human Development Index (HDI), placing 62nd in the world as of 2020, and fifth in Latin America.
- The country has been considered economically stable with moderate inflation, estimated at 2.6% in 2017 and moderately high growth in GDP, which increased from US$41.3 billion in 2011 to US$52.6 billion in 2015.
- The estimated GDP for 2018 is US$59.0 billion and the estimated GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) is Intl$17,559.1.
- Costa Rica has free trade agreements with many countries, including the US. There are no significant trade barriers that would affect imports and the country has been lowering its tariffs in accordance with other Central American countries.
- Costa Rica is composed of seven provinces, which in turn are divided into 82 cantons, each of which is directed by a mayor.
- Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
- A main foreign policy objective of Costa Rica is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth.
Geography of Costa Rica
Region:
Central America
Area:
Ranked 126th
Capital:
San Jose
Population:
5,094,118
Bordering Countries:
Costa Rica shares borders with Nicaragua to the North, Panama to the South, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and the Pacific Ocean to the West .
Total Size:
51,100 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
9°56′N 84°5′W
World Region or Continent:
North America
General Terrain:
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Geographical Low Point:
Pacific Ocean
Geographical High Point:
Térraba River
Climate:
- Altitude determines the climate throughout Costa Rica. Areas below 3,000 feet have average annual temperatures of around 80°, with little variation from month to month. The temperature drops from around 74° at 3,000 feet to 59 degrees at 5,000 feet. Above 5,000 feet, the average annual temperatures can range as low as 40 degrees to the mid-50s, with occasional frost during the coolest months.
- Costa Rica’s seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period.
- The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season, known locally as winter. The “summer” or dry season goes from December to April, and “winter” or rainy season goes from May to November, which almost coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, and during this time, it rains constantly in some regions.
- The average temperature in San Jose is 70 to 75° Fahrenheit. In December, the coolest month, the average temperature drops to around 65°. Temperatures drop into the 50s at night throughout the year. Humidity in San Jose averages 80 percent annually.
Major cities:
- San José
- Alajuela
- Cartago
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
- Limón
- Liberia
- San Isidro de El General
- Quesada
- Desamparados
Major Land forms:
- Volcanic Mountains
- Plains and Valleys
- Beaches
- Rivers
Major Rivers and Lakes:
- San Juan River
- Colorado River
- Chirripó River
- Sarapiquí River
- Toro River
- Sucio River
- San Carlos River
- Arenal River
- Pocosol River
- Lake Nicaragua
- Frío River
- Sabogal River
- Celeste River
- Zapote River
- Niño River
- Sapoá River
Natural Resources:
Natural Resources of costa rica is hydropower.
Major Geographical Features:
Oceans:
Pacific Ocean
Islands:
- Isla Calero
- Isla Brava
- Isla de Chira
- Isla Penitencia
- Isla Tortuguero
- Isla del Coco
- Isla Palma
- Isla Zelda
- Isla Portillos
- Isla Violín
- Isla Samay
- Isla Pacuare
- Isla Moín
- Isla Machuca
- Isla Madre de Díos
Mountain Ranges:
- Cerro Chirripó
- Arenal Volcano
- Turrialba Volcano
- Irazú Volcano
- Cerro Pico Blanco
- Cerro de la Muerte
- Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Provinces of Costa Rica:
- San José
- Alajuela
- Cartago
- Heredia
- Puntarenas
- Limón
- Guanacaste
- San José
- Alajuela
- San José
See Also:
References:
- Wikipedia – Geography of Costa Rica
- country-repots.org – Geography of Costa Rica
- costarica.com – Geography of Costa Rica
- costarica.org – Geography of Costa Rica
