Costa Rica Webquest
Christian, Jude, Bailey, Varun
Country Culture/Arts
Artists:
Jose Maria Figueroa- ( Álbum 1850-1900)
Ezequiel Jimenez- (La Verdulera de La Chacarita 1928)
Gonzalo Morales Sáurez- (Niña con Espejo 1970)
Musicians:
Costa Rican Hits with chiqui-chiqui: a mixture of merengue, cumbia and other Latin rhythms along with afro-pop influences
La Pandylla- A Comer Mamey (1985)
La Banda - La Pastilla de Amor (1987)
Los Alegrísimos- El Delicuente (1988)
Writers:
Aquileo J. Echeverría- Concherías (1905)
Manuel González Zeledón-La Propia (1909)
José León Sánchez- Isla de los hombres solos (1968)
Álbum
La Verdulera de La Chacarita
Niña con Espejo
Country History
Brief History
On September 18th of 1502, Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica. He was on his fourth journey to the New World when a group of indigenous Caribbean Indians paddled how and greeted him with open arms. The indigenous people wore lavish gold jewelry, which is where Costa Rica got its name, “Rich Coast.” Costa Rica was colonized by Spaniards, which killed off nearly all the indigenous people, and the remaining few fled. In 1821, Mexico gained its independance from Spain and the rest of the colonies in the Americas followed, including Costa Rica. A section of Costa Rica wanted to become part of Mexico, which caused a civil war a few years after gaining independence. In 1824, Costa Rica elected their first leader, Juan Mora Fernandez. The Costa Rican military usurped the government in 1870. A second civil war broke out in 1948 because the previous leader refused to leave office after not being re-elected. Ferrer became the next leader. He gave women and black people the right to vote and banned communism.
Holidays
Like the US, Costa Rica celebrates New Years, Valentines Day, Labor Day, Mother’s Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, and Christmas. However they have some holidays unique to them as well. Dia De Los Boyeros is celebrated the second Sunday in March and is a cow parade. Semana Santa is a whole week of Easter celebrations, compared to one day in the US. Virgin De Los Angelos day is a celebration of a Patron Saint. Costa Rica also celebrates their independence on September 15th each year.
Places to Visit
If you are going to Costa Rica then you should definitely visit San Jose. San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, boasts intricate Spanish architecture. Next on the list of must see places is Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is a natural beauty! The last stop to make along the way is Tortuguero. Tortuguero hosts a relaxing beach and a national park on the Caribbean coast. These places are MUST see!
Juan Mora Fernandez
Dia de los Boyeros
Arenal Volcano
Country Summary
Location: Below Nicaragua in Central America
Capital: San Jose
Major Cities: Limon, San Francisco, Alajuela
Major Bodies of Water:Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Nicoya, Gulf of Dulce, San Juan
River, General River.
Major Mountains: Sierra Madre Mountains
Population: About 5 million
Currency: Costa RIcan Colon 1 US Dollar= 537.87 Costa Rican Colon
Languages Spoken: Spanish (Official), English, Indigenous languages like Bribri, Maleku, Guaymí, Cabécar and Boruca.
Weather: There are only 2 seasons, High&Dry and Green&Wet
Form of Government: Democratic-Republic
President Luis Guillermo Solís
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestants, or no religion
Indigenous People: Gutatusos/Malekus, Chorotegas, Huetares,Cabécares, Bribri, Terrabas(Teribes), Borucas (Bruncas), GuaymiesOfficial Flag of Costa Rica
Columbian Colon
Country Travel Plan
Health
CDC recommends, "... [get] this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Costa Rica, regardless of where you are eating or staying."
You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Costa Rica. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.
Unclean food and water can cause travelers' diarrhea and other diseases. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe food and water habits.
Welfare state health benefits
Doctors: 1 per 769 people
Major causes of death: Cancers, respiratory diseases, accidents
The public health system is one of the most developed in Latin America. Some private clinics offer cosmetic surgery vacations.
Safety
CRIME
No death penalty
Total prison population: 8924 prisoners
Crime trend: Down 5% in 2002
Costa Rica is the least violent Central American country. Attacks on and kidnappings of tourists are rare but have dented its image as a safe haven. Narcotics smuggling and money laundering are increasing problems, and Costa Rica cooperates closely with US law enforcement agencies in these areas.
SAFETY
Costa Rica emerged from the 1948 civil war as a neutral, demilitarized modern state
Costa Rica possesses no military force.
Demonstrations in Costa Rica generally are peaceful. However, demonstrators in Costa Rica have been known to block traffic on roads or disrupt travel, causing inconvenience to tourists. Visitors to Costa Rica may also be inconvenienced by infrequent work stoppages and strikes.
Pickpocketing and theft remain the most common crimes perpetrated against tourists, and theft from vehicles (particularly rental vehicles) or on buses is particularly frequent. U.S. citizens also have been the victims of violent crime, including murder, sexual assaults, robberies, and car-jackings. Armed robberies can occur even in daylight on busy streets.
Sources
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/camerica.htm
http://www.geonames.org/CR/largest-cities-in-costa-rica.html
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/costarica/crland.htm
http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
http://costarica-information.com/about-costa-rica/people-culture-religion/culture/holidays
http://www.nacion.com/archivo/picaro-Jose-Maria-Figueroa_LNCIMA20111127_0009_1.jpg
http://www.govisitcostarica.com/images/photos/mlg-gonzalo-morales-saurez-nina_con_espejo.jpg