Costa Rica, officially known as the Republic of Costa Rica, is a Central American country situated in North America. It shares borders with Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, and has coastlines on the Caribbean Sea to the northeast and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Costa Rica also has a maritime border with Ecuador south of Cocos Island. The country encompasses a land area of 51,060 square kilometers and has a population of approximately five million. San José, the capital and largest city, has an estimated population of 333,980, with around two million residing in the surrounding metropolitan area.
1917: Rule of Federico Tinoco Granados
General Federico Tinoco Granados seized power and ruled as a military dictator in Costa Rica from 1917.
1919: Overthrow of Federico Tinoco Granados
Federico Tinoco Granados's rule as a military dictator in Costa Rica came to an end in 1919 when he was overthrown and forced into exile.
1927: Previous census conducted
The 2022 census marked the first time since 1927 that Costa Rica collected comprehensive data on ethnic and racial identity.
1936: Costa Rica's first Summer Olympics appearance
Costa Rica made its debut appearance at the Summer Olympics in 1936.
1938: The Great Banana Strike
A significant labor dispute, known as the Great Banana Strike, occurred in 1938 between peasants and the United Fruit Company, marking a turning point in Costa Rican labor rights.
1940: Government hospitals and charities were primary healthcare providers in Costa Rica
Prior to 1940, healthcare in Costa Rica was predominantly delivered by government hospitals and charitable organizations.
1940: Presidency of Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia
Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia served as the President of Costa Rica from 1940.
1941: Costa Rica established the Social Insurance Administration
A pivotal moment in Costa Rica's healthcare history arrived in 1941 with the establishment of the Social Insurance Administration (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social – CCSS), laying the groundwork for universal healthcare coverage.
1944: End of Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia's Presidency
Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia's term as President of Costa Rica concluded in 1944.
December 1948: Costa Rica abolishes its military
On December 1948, Costa Rica took the historic step of abolishing its military force.
1948: Disputed Presidential Election
A disputed presidential election in 1948, contested between Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia and Otilio Ulate Blanco, sparked significant political unrest.
1948: Costa Rican Civil War
The Costa Rican Civil War, a pivotal event in the country's history, took place in 1948, resulting in the abolition of the Costa Rican army.
November 1949: Transfer of Power to Ulate
Following the 1948 coup and the establishment of a new constitution, the junta transferred power to Otilio Ulate Blanco in November 1949.
1949: Costa Rica abolished its army and emphasized education.
In 1949, Costa Rica made the decision to abolish its army, with the intention of redirecting resources towards education, aiming to create an "army of teachers."
1949: Abolition of the Costa Rican Army
Following the 1948 civil war, Costa Rica made the landmark decision to permanently abolish its army in 1949, becoming one of the few nations without a standing army.
1949: Abolition of military enshrined in Constitution
In 1949, Costa Rica formalized the abolition of its military by incorporating it into Article 12 of the Constitution.
1949: Catholicism declared the official state religion
Costa Rica's 1949 Constitution declared Catholicism as the official state religion while upholding freedom of religion.
1953: Figueres's Electoral Victory
José Figueres Ferrer, a key figure in the 1948 revolution, won Costa Rica's first democratic election under the new constitution in 1953.
September 1961: Severance of Diplomatic Ties with Cuba
In September 1961, following Fidel Castro's declaration of Cuba as a socialist state, Costa Rican President Mario Echandi made the decision to sever diplomatic relations with Cuba. This decision, formalized through Executive Decree Number 2, marked the beginning of a 47-year freeze in diplomatic relations between the two countries.
1968: World Constituent Assembly convenes
In 1968, Costa Rica played a significant role in the first-ever World Constituent Assembly convened to draft a world constitution.
1972: Costa Rica's perinatal mortality rate was 12.0 per 1000
In 1972, Costa Rica had a perinatal mortality rate of 12.0 per 1,000 live births.
1973: The CCSS took over the administration of all public hospitals in Costa Rica
In 1973, Costa Rica's Social Insurance Administration (CCSS) assumed control of all 29 public hospitals in the country, solidifying its role as the central authority for healthcare provision.
1993: Laws were passed to create elected health boards in Costa Rica
The year 1993 witnessed the passage of legislation in Costa Rica designed to establish elected health boards, aiming to increase community involvement and representation in healthcare decision-making processes.
1996: Forest Law Promotes Environmental Services
The enactment of the Forest Law in 1996 marked a pivotal moment in Costa Rica's environmental conservation efforts. This law provided direct financial incentives to landowners who actively contributed to the provision of environmental services, such as carbon fixation, protection of water resources, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of scenic beauty. This initiative successfully shifted the focus of the forestry sector away from commercial timber production, which had been a driver of deforestation.
1999: Tourism Surpasses Traditional Exports
A significant turning point in Costa Rica's economic history occurred in 1999 when tourism revenue surpassed the combined foreign exchange earnings from the country's three primary cash crops: bananas, pineapples, and coffee.
2000: Social health insurance covered 82% of Costa Rica's population
By the year 2000, Costa Rica had achieved substantial progress in expanding healthcare coverage, with social health insurance reaching 82% of the population, reflecting the nation's dedication to equitable healthcare access.
2000: Costa Rica had a low malaria incidence rate
In 2000, Costa Rica recorded a low incidence of malaria, with only 48 cases per 100,000 people.
2001: Costa Rica's perinatal mortality rate dropped to 5.4 per 1000
Costa Rica experienced a significant decrease in its perinatal mortality rate, reaching 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2001, marking a substantial improvement in newborn health outcomes.
2002: Costa Rica had high rates of medical consultations and contraception use.
In 2002, Costa Rica saw 0.58 new general practitioner consultations and 0.33 new specialist consultations per capita. The year 2002 also saw 96% of Costa Rican women using some form of contraception.
2002: Costa Rica's national football team was the runner-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup
In 2002, Costa Rica's national football team achieved the runner-up position in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
2004: Tourism Outpaces Traditional Exports in Revenue
By 2004, tourism had become a major economic force in Costa Rica, surpassing the combined revenue generated from banana and coffee exports. This milestone underscored the significant growth and importance of the tourism sector in the country's overall economy.
2005: Costa Rica Initiates Legal Proceedings Over Navigation Rights
In 2005, Costa Rica took its dispute with Nicaragua over navigation rights on the San Juan River to the International Court of Justice. This legal action sought to resolve the long-standing disagreements between the two countries regarding the use of the river, particularly Costa Rica's rights to navigate and utilize the waterway for various purposes.
2006: Costa Rica received 150,000 medical tourists
In 2006, Costa Rica gained significant attention as a medical tourism destination, with 150,000 individuals visiting the country specifically to seek medical treatment, highlighting the country's growing reputation for providing high-quality healthcare services.
2006: Coffee's Declining Role in Exports
While coffee had been a historically significant cash crop for Costa Rica, by 2006, it became the third-largest agricultural export, indicating its diminishing role in the country's overall export earnings.
May 2007: Ambitious Goal for Carbon Neutrality
In May 2007, the Costa Rican government made a groundbreaking announcement, setting its sights on achieving 100% carbon neutrality by the year 2021, showcasing its strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
June 2007: Shift in Diplomatic Recognition from Taiwan to China
In June 2007, Costa Rica made a significant diplomatic shift by breaking ties with Taiwan and switching its recognition to the People's Republic of China. This decision made Costa Rica the first Central American nation to formalize diplomatic relations with China.
2007: Costa Rica's Carbon Neutrality Goal
In 2007, the Costa Rican government set an ambitious goal for the nation to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021.
2007: Costa Rica elected to UN Security Council
In 2007, Costa Rica was elected to serve a two-year term on the UN Security Council.
2008: Costa Rica had a structured healthcare system with specialized and general hospitals
In 2008, Costa Rica possessed a well-organized healthcare system, featuring five specialized national hospitals, three general national hospitals, seven regional hospitals, 13 peripheral hospitals, and 10 major clinics, ensuring a comprehensive range of healthcare services.
2008: Change in Conservation Status of the Central American Squirrel Monkey
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the conservation status of the Central American squirrel monkey from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2008.
March 2009: Restoration of Diplomatic Relations with Cuba
After a protracted period of estrangement, President Óscar Arias Sánchez took a significant step in March 2009 by re-establishing normal diplomatic relations with Cuba. This decision reflected a thawing of relations and a recognition of the changing geopolitical landscape.
July 2009: International Court of Justice Upholds Costa Rica's Navigation Rights
In July 2009, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued a ruling that favored Costa Rica in its long-standing dispute with Nicaragua over navigation rights on the San Juan River, which forms the border between the two countries. The court upheld Costa Rica's right to navigate the river for commercial purposes, including subsistence fishing.
December 2009: Costa Rica's term on UN Security Council expires
Costa Rica's third nonrenewable, two-year term on the United Nations Security Council ended in December 2009.
2009: Costa Rica topped the New Economics Foundation's Happy Planet Index
Costa Rica secured the top spot in the New Economics Foundation's Happy Planet Index in 2009, a ranking that evaluates the well-being and environmental impact of nations.
2010: Immigrant population in Costa Rica
In 2010, Costa Rica was home to an estimated 489,200 immigrants, largely from neighboring Central American countries.
2010: Dispute Arises Over Isla Calero and Dredging Activities
In 2010, a new point of contention emerged in the relationship between Costa Rica and Nicaragua concerning Isla Calero, a disputed territory located in the San Juan River. The dispute centered on the effects of Nicaraguan dredging activities in the vicinity of the island, further escalating tensions between the two countries.
2010: The UNDP reported a life expectancy at birth of 79.3 years for Costa Ricans.
In 2010, the UNDP reported that Costa Ricans had a life expectancy at birth of 79.3 years.
March 2011: Inauguration of a New Football Stadium, a Symbol of Chinese-Costa Rican Relations
In March 2011, a tangible symbol of the strengthened relationship between China and Costa Rica was unveiled with the inauguration of a new, state-of-the-art football stadium in Parque la Sabana, San José. This $100 million stadium, a gift from China, was constructed with the involvement of approximately 600 Chinese engineers and laborers, signifying the growing cooperation between the two nations.
2011: Costa Rica's Ranking in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness
In the 2011 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica secured the 44th position globally and the second position among Latin American countries, trailing only behind Mexico. This ranking highlighted the country's growing prominence as a competitive tourist destination.
2011: Racial and ethnic composition of Costa Rica
The 2011 census revealed that 83.6% of Costa Rica's population identified as white or Mestizo, with smaller percentages of Mulatto and indigenous populations.
2011: Data on ethnic groups collected
In 2011, data was collected on various ethnic groups in Costa Rica, including whites, mestizos, mulattoes, Native Americans, Black or Afro-Caribbean, and others.
2011: Indigenous population in Costa Rica
As of the 2011 census, Costa Rica had over 104,000 Native American or indigenous inhabitants, making up 2.4% of the population.
2011: Costa Rica's GDP
Costa Rica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011 was recorded at US$41.3 billion.
2012: Costa Rica again ranked first in the Happy Planet Index
Costa Rica maintained its top position in the Happy Planet Index in 2012, reaffirming its status as a nation with a high level of well-being and a relatively low ecological footprint.
2012: Asylum seekers increase fivefold
From 2012 to 2015, the number of asylum seekers in Costa Rica increased fivefold.
2014: Costa Rica's national football team reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup
In 2014, Costa Rica's national football team achieved its best performance in the FIFA World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals.
2015: Coffee Production and Export Value
In 2015, Costa Rica produced less than 1% of the global coffee supply. The total value of coffee exports amounted to US$305.9 million, a relatively small portion of the total agricultural exports, which reached US$2.7 billion.
2015: Costa Rica's Import and Export Profile
In 2015, Costa Rica's leading exports included medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, integrated circuits, and orthopedic appliances, totaling US$12.6 billion. The country's major imports consisted of refined petroleum, automobiles, packaged medications, broadcasting equipment, and computers, amounting to US$15 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US$2.39 billion.
2015: Economic Growth and Job Creation in Free Trade Zones
In 2015, Costa Rica's Free Trade Zones (FTZs) played a significant role in the country's economy by supporting over 82,000 direct jobs and 43,000 indirect jobs. The average wages in the FTZs were notably higher than the average wages for private-sector work in the rest of the country.
2015: Tourism's Economic Contribution
In 2015, the tourism sector played a substantial role in Costa Rica's economy, contributing 5.8% of the country's GDP, equivalent to $3.4 billion, highlighting its importance as a key economic driver.
2015: Employment in Costa Rica's Free Trade Zones
Costa Rica's Free Trade Zones (FTZs) played a significant role in employment in 2015, supporting over 82,000 direct jobs and 43,000 indirect jobs, according to government data.
2015: Progress Towards Renewable Energy Reliance
Costa Rica made significant strides in its transition to renewable energy, achieving an impressive milestone in 2015 when 93% of the country's electricity was generated from renewable sources.
2015: Costa Rica's GDP Growth
By 2015, Costa Rica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had risen to US$52.6 billion, reflecting notable economic growth.
2015: Immigrant and asylum seeker numbers
By 2015, Costa Rica had around 420,000 immigrants and saw a surge in asylum seekers, mainly from Central American countries, reaching over 110,000.
2016: Challenges to Economic Expansion
A 2016 U.S. government report highlighted several challenges faced by Costa Rica in its pursuit of economic growth through collaboration with companies from the United States and potentially other countries. These challenges represented key areas of concern for the country's economic development trajectory.
2016: Amazon.com's Expansion and Growing Presence
By 2016, Amazon.com emerged as a prominent employer in Costa Rica, with approximately 3,500 employees. The company's strategic expansion in the country was evident in its plan to increase its workforce by 1,500 in 2017.
2016: Tourism Growth and Top Visitor Source
Costa Rica experienced a significant surge in tourism in 2016, welcoming 2.9 million international visitors, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year. The United States emerged as the leading source of tourists, with 1,000,000 visitors.
2016: Fluctuations in Coffee Production
Costa Rica experienced fluctuations in coffee production, with a 13.7% increase in the 2015–2016 period, followed by a 17.5% decline in 2016–2017. Despite these fluctuations, projections indicated an expected increase of about 15% in the succeeding year.
2016: Costa Rica's Budget Allocation for Education
In 2016, Costa Rica dedicated a significant portion of its budget, approximately 6.9%, to education, surpassing the global average of 4.4%.
2016: Costa Rica becomes a "magnet" for migrants
In 2016, Costa Rica emerged as a destination for migrants from Central and South America hoping to reach the United States.
2016: A U.S. government report highlighted challenges in Costa Rica's education system
In 2016, a U.S. government report shed light on the challenges faced by Costa Rica's education system, including a high dropout rate among secondary school students and a need for a more skilled workforce.
2016: Sectoral Contributions to Costa Rica's GDP and Unemployment Rate
In 2016, agriculture contributed to 5.5% of Costa Rica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while industry and services accounted for 18.6% and 75.9%, respectively. The country's unemployment rate stood at 8.2% during this period, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
2016: Tourism's Impact on GDP and Employment
In 2016, the World Travel & Tourism Council estimated that tourism directly contributed 5.1% to Costa Rica's GDP and supported 110,000 direct jobs. Moreover, the tourism sector indirectly supported a substantial number of jobs, reaching 271,000, further highlighting its far-reaching impact on the country's labor market.
November 2017: National Geographic names Costa Rica happiest country
In November 2017, National Geographic recognized Costa Rica as the happiest country globally for its focus on maximizing joy and minimizing stress.
2017: Latinobarómetro survey on religious identification
The 2017 Latinobarómetro survey found that 57% of Costa Ricans identified as Roman Catholic, 25% as Evangelical Protestant, and 15% as non-religious.
2017: Elayne Whyte Gómez represents Costa Rica at the UN
In 2017, Elayne Whyte Gómez was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN Office at Geneva.
2017: Costa Rica signs UN treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
In 2017, Costa Rica demonstrated its commitment to peace by signing the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
2017: Costa Rica ranks high on happiness indices
In 2017, Costa Rica secured the 12th spot on the Happy Planet Index and was considered the happiest country in Latin America, attributed to its robust social services, low corruption, and high life expectancy.
2017: Costa Rica's Inflation Rate and OECD Report
Costa Rica experienced an inflation rate of 2.6% in 2017. In the same year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released a report highlighting concerns about the country's growing debt and budget deficit.
2017: Improvement in Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Ranking
By the time the 2017 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report was released, Costa Rica had climbed to 38th place, slightly behind Panama. This improvement reflected the country's continuous efforts to enhance its tourism industry and attract more visitors.
2017: Poverty Rate in Costa Rica
Despite having one of the highest standards of living in Central America, 20.5% of Costa Rica's population lived below the poverty line in 2017.
2018: University of Costa Rica survey on religious identification
A 2018 University of Costa Rica survey echoed similar trends in religious identification, with 52% Catholic, 22% Protestant, 17% non-religious, and 3% other.
2018: Costa Rica's women's national beach volleyball team competed in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup
Costa Rica's women's national beach volleyball team participated in the 2018–2020 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.
2018: Costa Rica's Forest Landscape Integrity Index Score
In 2018, Costa Rica achieved a mean score of 4.65 out of 10 in the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, ranking 118th globally.
2018: Estimated GDP and GDP Per Capita
In 2018, Costa Rica's estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at US$59.0 billion. The estimated GDP per capita, based on purchasing power parity, was Intl$17,559.1.
2018: Religion in Costa Rica (CIEP survey)
The CIEP survey in 2018 provided insights into the religious landscape of Costa Rica.
2019: Launch of Costa Rica's Decarbonization Plan
Costa Rica demonstrated its dedication to combating climate change by launching a comprehensive decarbonization plan in 2019, with the objective of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
2019: Costa Rica ranked 55th in the Global Innovation Index
Costa Rica held the 55th position in the Global Innovation Index in 2019.
2019: Near-Complete Renewable Energy Use and Continuous Reliance
In 2019, Costa Rica further solidified its position as a global leader in renewable energy by generating an impressive 99.62% of its electricity from renewable sources. The country demonstrated its commitment to sustainable practices by running entirely on renewable energy sources for an uninterrupted period of 300 days.
November 2020: FIFA announced Costa Rica as the host
In November 2020, FIFA announced that Costa Rica would host the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022 after it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Costa Rica's women's national beach volleyball team competed in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup
Costa Rica's women's national beach volleyball team participated in the 2018–2020 NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.
2020: Immunization coverage in Costa Rica was above 95%
In 2020, Costa Rica demonstrated a strong commitment to immunization, achieving an impressive coverage rate of over 95% for all antigens.
2021: Costa Rica and Denmark launch "Beyond Oil and Gas alliance"
At the COP26 Climate Summit in 2021, Costa Rica and Denmark spearheaded the "Beyond Oil and Gas alliance" (BOGA) to phase out fossil fuels.
2021: Costa Rica's women's national volleyball team was the top team in Central America's AFECAVOL zone
By late 2021, Costa Rica's women's national volleyball team had established itself as the leading team within Central America's AFECAVOL (Asociación de Federaciones CentroAmericanas de Voleibol) zone.
2021: Target Year for Costa Rica's Carbon Neutrality
Costa Rica aimed to become the world's first carbon-neutral country by 2021, reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability.
2022: Costa Rica conducts census
Costa Rica conducted a census in 2022, recording a population of 5,044,197 and collecting data on ethnic and racial identity for the first time in over nine decades.
2022: Recent Presidential Election
Costa Rica held its most recent presidential election in 2022, marking its continued commitment to democratic processes.
2022: Costa Rica hosted the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
In 2022, Costa Rica hosted the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, which had been postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: Costa Rica's Ranking in the Human Development Index
In 2022, Costa Rica secured the 58th position globally and the fifth position in Latin America in the Human Development Index (HDI).
2023: Costa Rica's ranking in the Global Innovation Index declined
Costa Rica experienced a decline in its ranking in the Global Innovation Index, dropping to 74th in 2023 from its 2019 position of 55th.
2050: Target Year for Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Costa Rica
As part of its ambitious decarbonization plan, Costa Rica set a target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.