Changes

==People==

==People==

Unlike many of their Central American neighbors, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European rather than Mexican descent; Spain was the primary country of origin. However, an estimated 10% to 15% of the population is Nicaraguan, of fairly recent arrival and primarily of Mexican origin. Descendants of 19th century Jamaican immigrant workers constitute an English-speaking minority and—at 3% of the population—number about 119,000. Few of the native Indians survived European contact; the indigenous population today numbers about 29,000 or less than 1% of the population.  

Unlike many of their Central American neighbors, present-day Costa Ricans are largely of European rather than mestizo descent; Spain was the primary country of origin. However, an estimated 10% to 15% of the population is Nicaraguan, of fairly recent arrival and primarily of mestizo origin. Descendants of 19th century Jamaican immigrant workers constitute an English-speaking minority and—at 3% of the population—number about 119,000. Few of the native Indians survived European contact; the indigenous population today numbers about 29,000 or less than 1% of the population.  

*Population (2007 est.): 4.13 million.  

*Population (2007 est.): 4.13 million.  

*Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 1.41%.  

*Annual growth rate (2007 est.): 1.41%.  

*Ethnic groups: European and some Mexican 94%, African origin 3%, Chinese 1%, Amerindian 1%, other 1%.

*Ethnic groups: European and some mestizo 94%, African origin 3%, Chinese 1%, Amerindian 1%, other 1%.

*Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%.

*Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%.

*Languages: Spanish, with a southwestern Caribbean Creole dialect of English spoken around the Limon area.

*Languages: Spanish, with a southwestern Caribbean Creole dialect of English spoken around the Limon area.