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Student Guide

PEOPLES OF COSTA RICA

Costa Rica has a population of over 4 millions people, with most of this figure centered in the Central Valley (5% of the country’s land area). Ninety-five percent of the Ticos, as the Costa Ricans call themselves, are of Spanish descent and the remaining 5% is taken up by English speaking blacks of West Indian origin and Native Indians . Costa Rica has the largest proportion of middle class in Latin America , though, rich and poor people are also found.

Elementary education (compulsory up to sixth grade) and secondary education are free; university is affordable and accessible, hence, the very high literacy rate. According to a United Nations study, Costa Rica holds first place in Latin America for development of preventive and curative medicine. Furthermore, it is ranked near the United States and Canada among the 20 best health systems in the world . Costa Ricans have a higher life expectancy than people from the United States.

On a different note, Costa Rica, as with most other nations, is subject to the difficulties that arise out of inflation and other problems of our times. Salaries have not kept up with the constantly rising cost of living (rent, utilities, and food), and on average, a person with a responsible job is paid about $300 a month .

Overall, the people of this country are very hardworking, cheerful, considerate, and overtly friendly. They have a relaxed view on life and a more laid back attitude. Throughout the following pages you’ll learn of some lf the idiosyncrasies that make up this culture and gain insight into the Costa Rican character.

THE GOVERNMENT

The Costa Rican system of government is a democracy served by checks and balances. There are four branches of government: the executive branch, consisting of a President, two vice-presidents, and the Presidential Cabinet; the Legislative Branch, made up by the Legislative Assembly, with 57 elected representatives; the Judicial Branch, with a Supreme Court and an appellate, criminal, civil, and special courts; and the Electoral Tribunal, responsible for organizing and supervising elections. In addition, the President and members of the Legislative Assembly are elected on four year terms and cannot be reelected.

A NATION OF PEACE

The national character of this country has generated an environment where democracy and the tradition of non-violence can propagate, unlike its conflict-ridden neighbors. In the Constitution of 1869 slavery was abolished and free obligatory, tax-financed education was established. The death penalty was eliminated in 1882 and the army eradicated in 1949.

For Costa Ricans, certain benefits are derived from the abolishment of the army, such as: 1) hindering the creation of a military group capable of overthrowing the government; 2) legitimizes the electoral path as the only route to power; 3) Costa Rica’s neutrality assures that it won’t be attacked due to the illegitimacy of the act; 4) public funds, instead of supporting the army, are funnelled into education, housing, and other public sponsored problems. As a result, this nation can boast of medical service and social security systems that have allowed Costa Rican health to be in the same bracket with that of the industrialized nations.

Today, the unique traits and vision of this nation are furthered by men such as President Oscar Arias, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his attempts to bring peace to the region. In addition, the United Nations University for Peace and the Inter-american Court and Institute of Human Rights are headquartered in Costa Rica, reaffirming the confidence the international community has for the country’s political and social stability.

As a newcomer, it is likely you will sense the very tangible pride the Costa Rican people have for their tradition of freedom and democracy, and see why Costa Rica is called the "Switzerland of the Americas".