• Costa Rica is in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, the Caribbean Sea, Panama, and the Pacific Ocean.
• Population around five million; area nearly 51,180 km².
• Capital city is San José, with about 350,000 residents, and two million in the metropolitan area.

• Humans present since 7,000-10,000 BC; indigenous peoples before Spanish colonization in the 16th century.
• Gained independence in 1821, joined the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823, and declared formal independence in 1847.
• Adopted current constitution in 1949 after a civil war, granting universal suffrage and abolishing the army.

• Economy transitioned from agriculture to finance, pharmaceuticals, and ecotourism.
• High-income economy; significant investment in education, which is compulsory and free.
• Ranked 62nd globally in Human Development Index (HDI) and leads in human rights and environmentalism.

List of newspapers published in Costa Rica.