The most extraordinary and quixotic artifacts left by Costa Rica’s ancestors are the astonishing stone spheres found near Palmar Norte and Palmar Sur in Corcovado. Costa Rica kŏs´tə rē´kə [key], officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2015 est. As elsewhere in Latin America, the United Fruit Company plays a major role in the cultivation and export of bananas. 4,808,000), 19,575 sq mi (50,700 sq km), Central America. Costa Rica’s indigenous history is not as prominent as it is in other Latin American cultures or even others just in Central America. Today, Costa Rica is strongly shaped by its Spanish influences as well as Catholicism. 1823 - Costa Rica joins the United Provinces of Central America, which also embraces El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. 1958-73 - Costa Rica governed by mainly conservative administrations. 18 February … J.-C. L'isthme centraméricain n'est d'abord qu'un lieu de passage vers l'Amérique du Sud. The Top 20 Tourist Attractions in Costa Rica Unknown Costa Rica: 8 Secret Places to Visit 10 Incredible Surf Spots in Costa Rica Costa Rica: Pura Vida The Best Beaches in Central America ABOUT US Cookies Ecotourism unites conservation with local communities and incorporates important aspects of sustainable travel. Travel Tips … Instead of recurring cycles of dictatorship and poverty, Costa Rica boasts an enduring democracy and the highest standards of living in Central America. Learn about 16 famous, scandalous and important events that happened in 1502 or search by date or keyword. The Costa Rican farmers hadthe more important concern of raising crops to occupy their attention. The Jamestown, Va. colony was founded in 1607 along the James River, and the state was the birthplace of eight U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. 1561 - Spain's Juan de Cavallon leads the first successful colonisers into Costa Rica. 13 September 1940. Early History In 1502 when Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Limon, less than 20 indigenous tribes occupied the lands which are now Costa Rica. 13 September 1940. Fast facts and information for students, children & kids via the Costa Rican Timeline. Figueres became a national hero when Costa Rica disbanded its army in 1949. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g291982-Activities-c49-Costa_Rica.html The cacao bean (from which chocolate is made) was a highly prized and sacred crop among the Chorotega and Bribri people in Costa Rica. A Little History. In 1502, during his fourth and final trip to the Americas, Christopher Columbus landed in Costa Rica. 1989-04-16 Costa Rica beats US 1-0, in 3rd round of 1990 world soccer cup. Arrange all the small, but important details of your Costa Rica trip itinerary using our Costa Rica … 1963-64 - Irazu volcano erupts, causing serious damage to agriculture. 1986 - Oscar Arias Sanchez (PLN) elected president on a neutral platform. 26 June 1992 . 2011 March - UN International Court of Justice orders Nicaragua and Costa Rica to keep troops back from a disputed river border. Best of all, I’ve had an opportunity to share my passion for Costa Rica with my wife and my daughter. You can call it superstition or whatever you want to, but in Costa Rica, all Catholic Churches face west. It is believed that the first settlers came to these parts around 1000 BC and had created a bustling city by 800 AD. 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. The region grew slowly and was administered as a Spanish province. The Guayabo National Monument is shrouded in mystery to this day but does reveal the existence of an ancient society of some sophistication. 1870-82 - Under the leadership of Tomas Guardia Costa Rica encourages intensive foreign investment in railways. The golden bands that the region's Carib Indians wore as earrings and nose rings inspired the crew to name the country Costa Rica, meaning Rich Coast. 1978 - Rodrigo Carazo, a conservative, elected president amid a sharp deterioration in the economy. By the beginning of the 19th century, the cultivation of bananas brought in a lot of wealth and coffee soon followed. Religious festivals and masses in every city and village named after Saint Joseph. Costa Rica Fact Sheet. 1987-10-13 Costa Rican President Oscar Arias wins Nobel Peace Prize. 2004 July - Three Chilean diplomats are killed by a security guard at their embassy in San Jose. In Costa Rica, it is against the law to hurt the bull in any way. 2009 October - Former president Rafael Angel Calderon is sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of corruption. Five hundred years later, the hidden wealth was discovered to be the rain forest itself. It was here all along and Costa Rica discovered Europeans in 1502! In the 1840s the town became one of the important centres of coffee production, which remained the chief source of Costa Rica’s income throughout the 19th century. 1540 onwards - Costa Rica is part of the vice-royalty of New Spain. 1917 - Frederico Tinoco ousts the elected president, Alfredo Gonzalez, but is himself deposed two years later. You would never know it by its popularity, but the Palmares Fiestas is only a few years old. Language: Spanish Main religion: Catholic Ethnic Makeup: Spanish, Italian, German, Jewish, Polish, Creole English, Jamaican, Atlantic slave, and indigenous descendants History Back in the 16th century, when the Spanish explorers arrived in what today is called Costa Rica, all they found was a region scarcely populated by several poorly organized tribes. You see evidence of the indigenous influences in arts and crafts available throughout Costa Rica in the form of handcrafted ceramics, ornaments, and jewelry. Costa Rica has a land territory of 19,700 square miles (51,100 sq. "With more than 2,000 dead, the 44-day Costa Rican Civil War resulting from this uprising was the bloodiest event in twentieth-century Costa Rican history." Simple statistics cannot do justice to Costa Rica’s friendly people, stunning terrain, rich lands, and long history. Costa Rican women do not take their husbands’ last name when they get married. Óscar Arias. As with most native tribes, their numbers are dwindling as their traditions and lands are usurped by modern societies. History Costa Rica is unique. 1561 - Spain's Juan de Cavallon leads the first successful colonisers into Costa Rica. History . Sep 18, 1502, The Discovery of Costa Rica Sep 22, 1980, Depression Apr 24, 1944, Coming Back Home Oct 10, 1665, Piracy! pop. Travel. Costa Rica's valuable crops are sugar and above all coffee until a third, bananas, is added in the late 19th century. 1849-59 - Under the leadership of Juan Rafael Mora, Costa Rica takes the lead in organising Central American resistance against William Walker, the US adventurer who took over Nicaragua in 1855. 1821 - Central America gains independence from Spain. However, the country does have an interesting military history. Tourism in Costa Rica: History and Development History of Tourism: In the 1960’s Costa Rica warily became aware that tourism could be an important source of income. Costa Rica as part of the Kingdom of Guatemala became independent of Spain when the captain general of Guatemala proclaimed independence. Find out more about the greatest Costa Ricans, including Keylor Navas, Harry Shum Jr., Franklin Chang Díaz, Laura Chinchilla and Oscar Arias Sanchez. Costa Rica has been inhabited as far back as 5000 years BC by indigenous people. Mr Solis concedes defeat after a manual count and legal challenges. 1991-04-22 Earthquake strikes Costa Rica & Panama, kills 95. Costa Rica Becomes Independent. Up to this point, most of continental America to the south of the United States was part of … The political, social, and economic centre of Costa Rica, San José grew rapidly in the 20th century, both in population and in area. Historical events from year 1502. The History of Palmares Fiestas. Costa Rica already existed. Costa Rica’s push towards ecotourism began with the establishment of the Cabo Blanco National Reserve in 1963 and the first national parks in 1971. There were many migrations and influences from the Aztecs of Mexico to the Mayas and the Incas of Peru. 2009 March - President Arias says Costa Rica to re-establish ties with Cuba, 48 years after they broken off in 1961. Oscar Arias Sanchez. Costa Rica still has a large agricultural sector including coffee, banana, pineapple and sugar exports. 31 July 1976. Costa Rica was inhabited by an estimated 400,000 Indians when Columbus explored it in 1502. It is bounded on the north by Nicaragua, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the southeast by Bryan Ruiz. 2005 January - National emergency declared as days of heavy rain lead to serious flooding along the Caribbean coast. Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821 but was absorbed for two years by Agustín de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. Costa Rica Independence The Most important part of Costa Rican History. In 1522, the colonists named the land Costa Rica, meaning Rich Coast, in the hope that they were going to find gold in its hills. Strikes prompt three ministers to resign. Paulo Wanchope. In Costa Rica: History In 1502 Christopher Columbus’s fourth Atlantic voyage brought him to the shores of Costa Rica, where he remained for 18 days refitting his ships. Even in that short time, this celebration has become one of the biggest in Costa Rica, seeing more than a million people in attendance. Joel Campbell. In 1502, Christopher Columbus arrived at Limon being lost. 2007 October - National referendum narrowly decides in favour of ratifying the Central American Free Trade Agreement (Cafta). When it became apparent that the rich coast was poorer than its neighbors, the colonists switched their focus to agricultural development. The holidays in Costa Rica are a time for celebration, and Costa Rica’s native Ticos and Ticas welcome any chance to celebrate. There is every reason to be optimistic about the future of Costa Rica. 1949 - New constitution gives women and people of African descent the right to vote; armed forces abolished and replaced by civil guard; Jose Figueres Ferrer, co-founder of National Liberation Party (PLN), elected president and begins ambitious socialist programme, including introducing a social security system and nationalising banks. 2004 October - Mounting concern over corruption as three former presidents - Jose Maria Figueres, Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Rafael Angel Calderon - are investigated over contractor payments. Soon after Mexico declared independence GeneralIrtubide was declared emperor of Mexico and tried to brin… The indigenous cultures fled to the Talamanca mountain ranges where they remain to this day. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. It pales in comparison to nearby Cartago and is a thoroughly modernised centre of industry today. Our love of the country runs so deep, the red-eyed tree frog and hummingbird in our logo was a tribute to its formative influence on this website. 1540 onwards - Costa Rica is part of the vice-royalty of New Spain. Tourism is a growing industry. Daniel Zovatto. In fact, they had to win their freedom not once but twice! Costarica History. In fact, some historians argue that the present culture of this country was primarily founded upon these more dominant indigenous cultures. Politician. Costa Rican culture is a vibrant blend of indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial influence, with a dash of Jamaican, Chinese, and other immigrant cultures lending character and customs. But the facts do paint a colorful picture of this Central American nation, where democracy has prevailed for more than 60 years , Catholicism is the state religion, the government is stable, and the environment is of great importance. Sor María Romero was born in Nicaragua in 1902 and died in 1977 but she is known and loved throughout Costa Rica and soon may be Costa Rica’s first saint. Mais de petites communautés se sédentarisent progressivement : on estime qu'à l'arrivée des Espagnols, au XVI e siècle, le territoire actuel du pays est occupé par 400 000 personnes [1]. Bryan Oviedo. While this fact is certainly a blessing, it does not mean that it was a simple process. Costa Rica as part of the Kingdom of Guatemala became independent of Spain when the captaingeneral of Guatemala proclaimed independence. Ecuador may be small in relation to its South American neighbors, but it has a long, rich history dating back to before the Inca Empire. And that is exactly the reason why the people of Costa Rica love their famous personalities and will continue to treasure the rich culture and history of their country. 1982 - Luis Alberto Monge (PLN) elected president and introduces harsh austerity programme. You don’t need a ton of time in the city, you can spend just one or two days. Although she tended to the women’s work of cooking, mending and caring for the sick, at the battle of Rivas she picked up a rifle; her shooting skill help the Ticos to recover a cannon, an important step toward preserving Costa Rica’s independence. 1948 - Six-week civil war over a disputed presidential election result. News about Costa Rica, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times. 1808 - Coffee is introduced into Costa Rica from Cuba and becomes the principal crop. It's not really a bullfight. Home » Costa Rica Facts » Costa Rica History. A dispute ensues over whether Costa Rica should join an independent Mexico or a confederation of Central American states. Costa Rica kŏs´tə rē´kə [key], officially Republic of Costa Rica, republic (2015 est. © Copyright 2004-2021 all rights reserved. A myriad of historical sites and subsequent ruins, containing a somewhat preserved city centre, are scattered about the area. Costa Ricans enjoy a high standard of living, and land ownership is widespread. The Spanish conquest began in 1524. Most of us have heard of self-declared 19th century commander William Walker but we don’t always know the details of his relationship to Costa Rica. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Expat Focus. It is bounded on the north by Nicaragua, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the southeast by Once the bull is … The first came in 1855 with the arrival of William Walker. Virginia history includes being one of the 13 original colonies, the first permanently settled region by the English. While this fact is certainly a blessing, it does not mean that it was a simple process. km). The victorious junta drafted a constitution guaranteeing free elections with universal suffrage and the abolition of the military. In fact, they had to win their freedo… The American Revolution, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars in Europe were shakingup most of the Spanish colonies in America but not Costa Rica. 18 August 1985. Bananas, coffee, sugar and beef are still important exports. As the landowners were quite poor and isolated from the Spanish Colonial centers of Mexico, Guatemala, and the Andes, and because there were very few indigenous labor forces to help, the first Costa Rican settlers soon turned into an autonomous and individual agrarian society. The event is broadcast on multiple television networks in Costa Rica. [6] Coffee was introduced to Costa Rica from Jamaica in 1779. While settlers were clearing land for coffee plantations in the late 1800’s, they happened upon an archeological site that remains one of Costa Rica‘s most famous ones today. Footnote 13 The history of Costa Rican ecotourism not only fills these lacunae in one important national case, but it also offers compelling evidence on the emergence of new tourism categories, the role of business in commodifying existing natural endowments, and the impact of changing ideas—in this case, conservation, biodiversity, and environmentalism—on both entrepreneurs … Living in Costa Rica. Along with the other Central American countries, Costa Rica came about as a result of the Spanish conquest, first 'discovered' by Christopher Columbus in 1502. In the second round, they achieved full independence within Central America. Costa Rica Historic Sites: See reviews and photos of historic sites in Costa Rica, Central America on Tripadvisor. Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't have an army. Columbus Lands. 1985 - US-trained anti-guerrilla force begins operating following clashes with Sandinista troops. At the time, about 400,000 ... Costa Rica's First Successful Colony. "; San Jose grew rapidly in the 20th century, Costa Rica has one of world's largest varieties of flora, fauna, High-tech future: chip maker Intel is Costa Rica's main exporter, Colonial legacy: white-faced building in Barva, Oscar Arias won the Nobel Peace price for efforts to end civil conflicts in his region, Served as president 1986 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2010, Free trade deal with US has split Costa Rica like few other issues, CAFTA - Central American Free Trade Agreement, Meant to reduce US-Central America trade barriers, Opponents fear competition will ruin economy, Narrowly approved in referendum in October 2007, Also includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, How the world's oldest clove tree defied an empire, Why Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin quit, BBC News Updated every minute of every day, Country profile: United States of America. Costa Rica - Costa Rica - People: Nearly four-fifths of Costa Rica’s population is of European descent, and, as a result, Costa Rica has the largest percentage of people of Spanish descent in Central America. 1994 - Jose Maria Figueres Olsen (PLN) elected president. Modern politics in Costa Rica began just after a brief civil war in 1948. Cartago is an excellent city in Costa Rica to experience culture and history without the crazy hustle and bustle of San Jose. As one of the youngest capitals in the region, San Jose's history is not extensive. 2002 April - Abel Pacheco of the ruling Social Christian Unity Party wins a comfortable 58% of the vote in the second round of presidential elections. 1825-04-10 Nicaraguan constituent assembly meets at … Former President of Costa Rica. Since that day, Costa Rica has been investing in education, natural heritage and developing strategies for supporting workers’ rights. A chronology of key events in the history of Costa Rica, from the arrival of the Christopher Columbus to the present Actress. Only In Costa Rica. This cacao bean was very important, culturally and economically, to the indigenous people of Costa Rica. Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. This act alone turned the young Juan Santamaria into a national hero who is still celebrated annually and even remembered through the name of Alajuela‘s airport: San Juan Santamaria International Airport. This section details everything related to the Costa Rican government including: the political structure, current president, major political parties, and special interest groups.To stay current, be sure to check out political news & updates, labor laws, and environmental laws.. Brief Political History. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. 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