Costa Rica

Columbia is a country on the continent of South America

Brief History

The first indigenous people living in Costa Rica were hunters and gatherers. In 1502, Christopher Columbus sighted Costa Rica during his last trip to the Americas. The Spanish gradually conquered the area, and in 1563 the city of Cartago became the first permanent settlement. Spaniards assumed that the island would be rich with gold and resources, but this was not the case. Instead, they used the land for farming. In 1821 Costa Rica became an independent country.

 

National Flag

The current national flag of Costa Rica was adopted on November 27, 1906. The red stripe stands for the generosity of Costa Ricans, as well as blood spilled by those defending the country. The blue stripes symbolize peace, happiness, and wisdom.

Geography

World Land Mass Ranking: 129th

Highest Mountain: Cerro Chirripó, 3,820 m (12,533 ft)

Longest River: San Juan River, 180 km (130 mi)

 

Main Languages

Spanish

Columbia Population: 5 million (as of 2019)
Capital City: San Jose
Capital City Population: 1 million (as of 2019)

Climate

Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate, so temperatures are consistently warm year-round. Costa Rica has a wet season and a dry season.

Key People

 

  • Cuisine

    The cuisine of Costa Rica is generally mild. Fresh fruits and vegetables are incorporated into most Costa Rican dishes. Rice and black beans are both very popular in Costa Rica. The national dish, Gallo Pinto, is rice and beans stir-fried together. Other popular Costa Rican dishes include black bean soup, fried green plantains, rice pudding, and tamales.

    The picture is a picture of Casado, a popular Costa Rican dish.

  • Sports

    Like many other Central American countries, the national sport of Costa Rica is football (soccer). Costa Rica’s football team has participated in every Summer Olympic Games since 1956. The coastline of Costa Rica offers many excellent surfing and paddle boarding spots. Other popular activities in Costa Rica include zip lining, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

    The picture is a picture of the Costa Rica football (soccer) fans.

  • Culture

    Costa Rica is one of the happiest countries on earth, and the people of Costa Rica are generally friendly and welcoming. Costa Ricans come from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, resulting in a unique culture. Roman Catholicism is the most prominent religion in Costa Rica, and religious holidays are significant. The country has a rich history of art, and many Costa Rican artists have received national acclaim. An important part of Costa Rican culture is music, which is often accompanied by dance.

     

    The picture is a picture of Costa Rican women in traditional dress.

     

    Costa Rica is a beautiful country with wonderful people.

     

    Download questions about the Costa Rica here: Costa Rica (answers are on this page)

     

    Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on Costa Rica. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets

     

    For further reading and more info on the Costa Rica visit https://kids.kiddle.co/Costa_Rica

     

10 facts about Costa Rica

1. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos.

 

2. The white-tailed deer is the national animal of Costa Rica.

 

3. Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces.

 

4. There are over 500,000 species of wildlife in Costa Rica.

 

5. There are 200 volcanic formations in Costa Rica.

 

6. The life expectancy in Costa Rica is 80 years.

 

7. 25% of Costa Rican land is conserved.

 

8. Pura Vida is the national motto of Costa Rica.

 

9. Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

 

10. Costa Rica has no military.

 

Q&A Corner

1. What is the capital city of Costa Rica? +
2. What is the longest river in Costa Rica? +
3. In what year did Costa Rica gain its independence? +
4. What is the official language of Costa Rica? +
5. What is the national sport of Costa Rica? +
6. Name a dish that is popular in Costa Rica? +
7. What is the population of Costa Rica (as of 2019)? +
8. What is the tallest mountain in Costa Rica? +
9. What colors make up the Costa Rican flag? +
10. What religion is most prominent in Costa Rica? +