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Line 114: − − − Geography − − Costa Rica is located in Central America; its capital is San Jose. Its bordering countries are Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and to the South of Costa Rica is Nicaragua and to the North is Panama. It has coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Its area is 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles). It is full of tropical coastal plains that rise up to mountains, active volcanoes, and a central plateau which is where San Jose is located. Costa Rica’s total population is approximately 4,331,000, but the population just in San Jose is 1,085,000. Costa Rica’s beautiful rainforest preserves draw more and more visitors each year. Some of Costa Rica’s exports are coffee, bananas, sugar, pineapples, and textiles to many countries. Costa Rica’s official language is Spanish, but English is widely spoken throughout the country. Costa Rica’s religion is Roman Catholic. Costa Rica’s weather has two stages, the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season runs from December to April; that is the time when they have the highest temperatures of the year. The rainy season consists of strong tropical storms, and cloudy days from May to October. − − Sports/ Crafts − Costa Rica offers a large variety of handcrafted items as souvenirs and reminders of their culture and heritage. They sell things like handmade ceramics and crafts, wooden articles, straw items, and much more handicrafts. Also, a very popular sport in Costa Rica is fishing. On the Pacific Coast, you can catch Sailfish, all types of Marlin, Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Grouper, King and Spanish Mackerel, and Pompano. On the Caribbean Coast you can catch Tarpon from December to mid May. You can also catch Snook, from August to November; Calba in December and January, and Silver King from mid July to August. All year round on the Caribbean coast, you can catch Jack fish and all kinds of Mackerel. In the freshwaters around Costa Rica you can catch Guapote ( known in the U.S. as a Peacock Bass), Catfish, Rainbow Trout and Drum are available all year round in any freshwater area in Costa Rica. The Roosterfish is one of the most exotic marine creatures throughout the world and can be found in few places. One of those few countries where you can find this intriguing species is none other than Costa Rica. − Costa Rica has many celebrations like on January 1st (New Years Day) which is celebrated by a big dance in San Jose’s Parque Central. On this day most offices and shopping centers get the day off. In Costa Rica, Easter is called Semana Santa; it is always on the last week of March and beginning of April. They also celebrate Juan Santamaria Day which is on April 11th. It honors the national hero who died defeating William Walker and the Filibusters in the Rivas battle in 1856. On this day in schools, kids hold parades, and have plays. Also, another huge holiday for Costa Rica is on July 25th; they celebrate Guanacaste Day. Guanacaste day is the day of the annexation of Guanacaste into Costa Rica in 1824. On this day, many schools have parades, and they have festivals in many parks near Guanacaste. In Costa Rica, August 2nd is one of the most important days of the year for religious Costa Ricans. It is called Virgin de Los Angeles day. It is when everyone in the country walks to the Basilica (the virgin church) in Cartago to pay promises or make pleas to the Virgin Mary and take home Holy Water to share with their families. On August 15th, Costa Rica celebrates mother’s day. It is a day when they celebrate the rise of the Virgin Mary into heaven. September 15th is one of the most important days in Costa Rica. It is Independence Day there, and Costa Ricans begin the celebration of their independence from Spain (in 1821) the evening before their actual independence day with a parade of homemade lanterns which represents the day the news arrives in Costa Rica at night. On the day of their independence, Costa Ricans hold big patriotic parades throughout the country. In Costa Rica Columbus Day is on October 12th. On this day, Limon province marks the celebration with a huge carnival which takes place in the week prior to October 12th, and most businesses get the day off. In Costa Rica, they celebrate a holiday known as “all souls day”. It is held on November 2nd, and it is a day set aside to pay respects to loved ones who have passed away. On this day, people go to cemeteries to pay their respects, and attend special religious services. On Christmas day, December 25th, in Costa Rica, all business and commerce have the day off so that the people of Costa Rica may hold family-oriented celebrations, and attend special religious ceremonies. − − Foods − − Costa Rica has many simple but delicious recipes that they like to make. The main ingredients in most of them are grain, rice, beans, and chickpeas. Some dishes also contain vegetables that are traditionally from the area such as Camote, Chayote, yucca, and guineo. These vegetables and rice’s are carefully combined with a variety of spices and a traditional sauce called Lizano. One of the most famous foods from Costa Rica is “El Casado” which means married in English. It is called that because it is what Costa Rica wives packed in their husband’s lunches back when they were the only ones that work in the family. Casado is a combination of rice and beans with a cabbage and tomato salad, fried plantains, and the meat of the day (chicken, fish or beef) on the side. Sometimes Costa Ricans also eat their Casado with fried egg or yucca as a supplement. In Costa Rica, the usual meals where you can find a variety of vegetables are “Picadillos” or string beans and potatoes with ground beef. This dish, “Picadillos” can be served with white cheese as a side dish at dinner or lunch or with sugar as a dessert. Another dish that is rich in vegetable nutrients is the “Olla de Carne” which is a beef soup full of potatoes, chayote, pumpkins, and cauliflower. For breakfast in Costa Rica, the possibilities are endless. You can have chorreades (corn pancakes), homemade bread dipped in sour cream with Gallo Pinto. Also, scrambled eggs with onions or fried eggs in tomato sauce. In Costa Rica, you can also just have some fruit salad, cereal, and plain Gallo Pinto which is a combination of fried rice and beans with Lizano sauce and is usually served for breakfast but you can eat it at anytime of the day. For desserts, you can have plan cakes, chiverre, pineapple patties, and the famous Tres Leches which is a cake bathed in evaporated, condensed, and regular milk with a whipped cream top.
Reverted edits by Rt123 (Talk); changed back to last version by Karajou
[[Category:Central American Countries]]
[[Category:Central American Countries]]