Costa+Rica

__ Costa Rica __

**__History:__**
==**Costa Rica was founded in 1502 by Christopher Columbus. When he found the land, about 400,000 Indians lived in Costa Rica at the time. During that time period, a spanish explorer, Francisco Fernandez de Cordova established the first spanish colony in Costa Rica. **During 1821 Costa Rica gained independence from Spain. In 1808 Cuba brings Coffee to Costa Rica, which later becomes their main export. Then in 1823 the country became independent from Mexico. Later, Costa Rica became a republic and an independent nation as a part of Latin America. **In 1824 Costa Rica's first president, Juan Mora Fernandez was elected. In 1949 Costa Rica's government decided that the military is officially done with. Therefore, the country can not participate in war. Then, in 1871 Costa Rica begans to grow bananas, which is also another main export. During 1987, President Oscar Arias Sanchez established an agreement to settle any conflict throughout Central America. In 201 0 Costa Rica's first female president is elected. (President Laura Chinchilla) **==

**The History of Costa Rica influences the decisions it makes in current times by: **
==**Because the people of Costa Rica are very friendly and welcoming the last thing the country wants to do is war. That's why in 1949 the military in Costa Rica did not exsit anymore because the government decided that they wanted to settle things peacefully, and without war. Also, during 1987 the president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sanchez. established an agreement to settle any conflict in Central America. Due to his agreement, Presidesnt Sanchez was awarded the //Nobel Peace Prize//. **== ==**They also, have two major exports (Coffee and bananas) which help them with their economy and it helps keep peace with other nations. **==

~1502: Christopher Columbus found the land of Costa Rica ~1502: Spanish Explorer establishes first colony in Costa Rica  ~1808: Coffee is brought to Costa Rica  ~1823: Costa Rica becomes independent from Mexico  ~1824: Frst President is elected  ~1871: Costa Rica grows bananas  ~1949: The military is abolished  <span style="color: #00d5ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">~1987: President established an agreement to settle any conflict in Central America  <span style="color: #00d5ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">~2010: First female president is elected

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 180%;">__Costa Rica's Flag:__ <span style="color: #00d5ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #00d5ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;"> Costa Rica’s flag symbolizes multiple things. Each color on the flag represents something unique and bold. The flag was adopted on September 29th, 1848. Its design was based on the ideals from the French Revolution. The flag’s colors are the colors of the French National flag. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Blue = sky, intellectual thinking, eternity, religious and spiritual ideals.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">White = happiness, wisdom, power, and beauty of the sky.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Red = warmth of people, generosity, and bloodshed of freedom.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 120%; text-align: center;">Coat of arms = Located on the red line of the flag, It has three volcanoes of Costa Rica on it.

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 280%; text-align: left;"> __<span style="display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 90%; text-align: left;">Geography: __



<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Capital: San José <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Major Cities: Puntarenas, Limón, Liberia, and La Fortuna

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Tourist Attractions: Visiting the beaches, the national parks, the volcanos, the museums, the rainforests, and wildlife.

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">The Geography of the country impacts it's behavior by: <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">Because it is located in the middle of two oceans, The country depends heavily on agriculture and the ecotourism. Costa Rica is able to grow bananas and many other fruits, it is able to have a growing ecotourism industry.

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: left;">

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">__ Climate/Weather: __

=
<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Costa Rica's climate is the majority of the time either rainy or dry. January through May is when the dry season is occurring and the rainy season happens during May to December. The annual rainfall averages 100 inches. The average temperature year round ranges around 72 degrees. ======

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 170%; text-align: left;">__C____ulture:__ <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Costa Rica culture is based off of Spanish culture. The majority of the 3.3 million people who live there are the descendants of Spanish immigrants. Many families originated from Central America, Africa, and parts of Europe. The society in Costa Rica is very family oreinted and the majority of the people practice Roman Catholicism. (About 70-90% of the population)

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">June 23: Corpus Christi
<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">June 29: Feast of St. Peters and Paul

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">December 8: Immaculate Conception
<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">December 25: Christmas

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: center;">__Culture-Costa Rican Recipes:__ __Papya Juice:__
 * 1 cup [|papaya], cubed
 * 3/4 cup [|water]
 * 4 ice cubes
 * 1/2 teaspoon [|Splenda sugar substitute] (or other sweeteners work, i recommend honey)

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__Costa Rica Raisin Cake:__ Directions:
 * 1 tablespoon [|cornstarch]
 * 1/2 cup freshly [|brewed coffee]
 * 3/4 cup [|granulated sugar], divided
 * 1 cup [|seedless raisin] [[image:herrickun/pici9c5bV[1].jpg width="288" height="219" align="right" caption="Costa Rican Raisin Cake"]]
 * 1/2 cup chopped nuts
 * 1/2 cup [|butter]
 * 1/2 cup [|dark brown sugar]
 * 2 [|eggs], beaten
 * 2 cups [|flour]
 * 1 1/2 teaspoons [|cream of tartar]
 * 1 1/2 teaspoons [|baking soda]
 * 1/2 cup [|milk]
 * 1 teaspoon [|vanilla extract]
 * 1. Mix cornstarch and coffee in saucepan until smooth.
 * 2. Add 1/2 cup sugar and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
 * 3. Add raisins and nuts and set aside while preparing batter.
 * 4. Beat butter until soft and fluffy.
 * 5. Add brown sugar and remaining white sugar and continue beating until thick and light in color.
 * 6. Add cream of tartar and baking soda together and add alternately with milk.
 * 7. Add vanilla and mix well.
 * 8. Pour 1/2 the batter into a buttered 8-inch square pan.
 * 9. Spread with raisin mixture and cover with remaining batter.
 * 10. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.
 * 11. Cool and turn out of pan and cut into nine squares.

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