The Republic of Costa Rica
is located in the
heart of the Americas.
Its capital city is San José, and the official language is Spanish.
Costa Rica has been an army-free country since 1948, when the government decided to refocus its efforts and invest in education and the health of the population. It was the first country in Latin America to have electricity and is considered one of America's most consolidated democracies.
The beginning of democracy in Costa Rica
Costa Rica obtained its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. It remained a member of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1824 to 1838 until the Republic was dissolved following internal struggles between the member states. Little by little, each province declared its independence; and on August 31, 1848, Costa Rica became a Republic under the last head of state and the first of the nation's presidents, José María Castro Madriz.
Later, in 1856, Costa Rica joined the war against William Walker, an American filibuster who aimed to turn Central America into a slave-supplying region for North America. The national hero of Costa Rica, Juan Santamaria, distinguished himself in history when he fought in the decisive battle of April 11, 1856, known as the Battle of Rivas.
Costa Rica as a promoter of peace
In 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer abolished Costa Rica's military after achieving victory in a brief civil war. Today, Costa Rica remains a peace-promoting country that remains without an army and one of the world's highest literacy rates.
With a balanced social and economic structure, the country has enjoyed an uninterrupted democratic system based on universal suffrage. Since 1949, elections were held regularly every four years, making the country one of the most stable in the region.
Thanks to the abolition of the army, Costa Rica was able to finance sectors such as education and health. Today, the nation continues to set international benchmarks thanks to its consolidated democratic system and its efforts to become a decarbonized economy by 2050.
