Description
Costa Rica is a Central American oasis. It is often referred to as the Switzerland of Latin America, due to the fact that it has no official armed forces and the country has largely escaped the oppression, corruption, and natural disasters that have plagued so many other Latin countries in Central and South America. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred Costa Rica's democratic development. The standard of living here is relatively high and land ownership is widespread. The common Costa Rican phrase or expression is Pura Vida (pure life). It reflects the country's zest for life and happiness. And there is no shortage of vistas and locales that demonstrate, with great emphasis, what enhances the joys of life (pure life): the earth's natural habitats, serene beaches, the rain forest, mountains, parks which serve as wildlife reserves, along with nature's sounds that soothe the soul. In addition for having a reputation as an eco-tourism heaven, Costa Rica, covered with mostly coastline, has some of of the region's best surfing, sailing, beaches, and climate. Did you know? The Costa Rican army was abolished in 1948. Costa Rica has received a Nobel Peace Prize, won by a former president, Oscar Arias, who was a key architect in the Peace Plan that helped to bring an end to the conflict of the 1980s in the region.