Costa Rica is a country rich in traditions and folclore. In this section, we would like to share with you some aspects about our culture. If you are interested to know about our poetry, music, museums and more, please let us know, we look forward to assist you.

 

About Costa Rica.

General information.

Country capital: San José
Area: 51,000 square kilometers (19,652 sq. miles)
Language: Spanish.
Currency: Colon. (buy 1$US = ¢493.09
Sale $1US = ¢499.02 ) source Banco Central. Click here to see the exchange rate with more details. =>
Location: Located in the Central American isthmus, immediately north of Panama, with ports in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and 153 highway miles between them.
Climate: Costa Rica has two seasons: a "green" or "rainy" season that runs from May to November and a dry season that begins in December and ends in April. The average temperature in the Central Valley is 22 C, while in the coasts and at the beaches it ranges from 22 to 32 C.
Almost 30% of our territory is a National Park protected by law.

Population. 4,500.000.
Density: 88.23 inhabitants per square kilometer (141.96 inhabitants per sq. mile)

Standard of living indicators.
Education. Thanks to its free, yet mandatory public education system established in 1917, Costaricans enjoy a high level of education and one of the highest literacy rates (95.5%).
Life expectancy: 76.1 years
Educational Institutions: 6147 primary and secondary schools and 50 universities
Education expenditures: 6.52% of GDP (2000). Minimum fixed by law at 6% of GDP
Youth literacy: 98.3%
Population served with piped water: 99%
Public health services coverage: 90.4% of population
Health expenditures: 27.8% of government budget
Access to telephone service: 92% of population
According to the United Nations' Human Development Index (HDI) for 2001, Costa Rica has one of the highest ratings among developing nations.
Political environment.

Traditional and stable democracy, army abolished in 1949. Lowest risk rating in Latin America. The political structure establishes three independent powers:

1) Executive: President and Ministers
2) Legislative: 57 elected Representatives
3) Judiciary

The Presidential term consists of 4-year periods without reelection. The current President of Costa Rica is Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez ( May 2006- May 2010).

Main exports. Electronic components, textiles, bananas, coffee, medical devices, pineapples, foliage and ornamentals, fish and seafood, processed foods.

Major revenue generator in 2000 (estimate): electric circuits and microstructures, with US$ 2085 millions
Second revenue generator: Tourism, with almost US$1.2 billion (estimate). Tourist arrivals in 2000 (estimate): 1.1 million.

 

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National Symbols.

Our Flag.

Costa Rica's flag was designed and constituted in the year 1848, under the presidency of Jose Maria Castro Madriz. Since that year, the flag has always been three-colored. The Fist Lady, Paci'fica Ferna'ndez Oreamuno, designed the flag of Costa Rica in 1848. The flag was designed after the ideals of the French Revolution - freedom, equality, and brotherhood - and the colors of the French National Flag. Each color represents important aspects of Costa Rica: Blue means the sky, opportunities at reach, intellectual thinking, perseverance to accomplish a goal, infinite, eternity, and ideals of the religious and spiritual desires. White means clear thinking, happiness, wisdom, power and beauty of the sky, the driving force of initiatives to search for new endeavors, and the peace of Costa Rica. Red means the warmth of Costa Rican people, their love to live, their blood shed for freedom, and their generous attitude.

Our national emblem.

Central America is imprinted in silver letters on the blue ribbon at the top of the coat of arms. The two branches of myrtle closing the coat of arms represent the peace of Costa Rica. On the white ribbon that joins the branches, the title "Republica de Costa Rica" (Republic of Costa Rica) is imprinted in golden letters. The seven stars above the volcanoes represent the seven provinces of Costa Rica.
The volcanoes represent the three Costa Rica's mountain range systems. They form a valley and divide the country in two parts. The two oceans represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The merchant ships sailing on each ocean represent the cultural and commercial exchange between Costa Rica and the rest of the world. The rising sun represents the prosperity of Costa Rica.

The small circles on both sides of the coat represent the coffee beans, "Golden Beans." Beside this explanation about our national flag and our coat of arms, if your are interested to know more about them, please visit this site: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/cr.html (We found this page posted with some interesting information).

Our national flower.

A beautiful kind of a purple orquidea popularly called "Guaria Morada", was declared as national symbol in 1939.

Our national tree.

A tree called "Guanacaste" as the Province where it is found, was declared National tree in 1959, as a tribute for the province's joining to Costa Rica in 1825.

Our national fowl.

El Yiguirro was declared national symbol in 1976. Its beautiful singing announces the coming of the rainy season.

Our national symbol of labor.

La Carreta or Oxcart was declared national symbol of labor in 1988. During the 19 century was used as a transportation tool for coffee plantations and trade.

Our national heroe.

Juan Santamaria, a young drummer boy who became a national hero by torching a fort where Walker's troop "called filibusters" was encamped in April 11,1856.

Our national heroine.

Francisca "Pancha" Carrasco 1826-1890. The first costarrican heroine who joined the army to fight against Walker s filibusters in April, 11, 1856. She was condecorated by the Government for her important participation in this action.

Our national Anthem. Click to listen

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Best Costa Rican recipes.

1-GALLO PINTO

Serves 6

• Ingredients

1-Cup black beans
1-Medium onion, finely chopped
1-Clove garlic
1-Red pepper, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup rice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bay leaf

• Preparation

As in any regional dish, this one has many variations. Traditionally, Gallo Pinto or Rice Beans is served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. By itself, the combination of the carbohydrates and the protein in the rice and the beans forms a complete meal, equal to meat and potatoes. It is common to be served this dish with sour cream or a fried egg for breakfast, or as a sidedish with meat an d potatoes for lunch.

The beans are soaked overnight and then cooked with enough water to cover in a pressure cooker 45 min. or buy canned black beans.

Cook rice as you would in water with salt, following instructions. See variations below.

In a pot, with olive oil, cook garlic and remove, cook onion and red peppers until tender, stir in the beans and add salt and pepper to taste, a pinch of oregano and a bay leaf. Stir in the cooked rice, mix well, and serve.

Some variations are the addition of sausage, vegetables, serving cold with pasta as a salad, as stuffing for the Christmas turkey. Some people cook the rice in the resulting liquid from the beans being cooked. Overall a very tasty and simple dish.

2-HEARTS OF PALM RICE

• Ingredients

6 cups of cooked rice
¾ cup of chopped onions
½ cup of chopped celery
½ pound of suisse cheese (grated)
2 cans of Hearts of Palm
1 pint of table cream
0.750 1t. of milk
60 gr.of parmesan cheese
½ pound of butter
½ cup of flour
½ tsp of pepper

• Preparation

In a broad based saucepan over medium heat place butter and onion and brown lightly. Add celery, flour, table cream, and stirs well. Add milk and simmer. Add salt, pepper, and half the suisse cheese. Keep one cup of this sauce aside topping. Pour half of this mixture into the cooked rice and the other half into the hearts of palm,( previously sliced in small pieces).

On large rectangular Pyrex place one layer of rice, 1 layer of hearts of palms, 1 layer of suisse cheese, and a layer of rice. Add the cup of mixture, the parmesan cheese, and butterballs. Place it in the oven for 30 minutes just to heat it.

3-CREMA DE PEJIBAYE

Serves 8

• Ingredients:

• 12 Pejibayes
  8 cups chicken stock
  2 cups whipping cream
  ½ cup brandy or cognac
  115 grams of butter
  4 tbs. flour
  2 minced onion
  2 bay leaf
  salt and pepper

• Preparation:

Cook the onion on low heat in the melted butter, stirring from time to time until soft.
Add the flour and stir a few minutes. Add the chicken stock, the cooked pejibayes, peeled, without the seed and chopped. Add the bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.

Process or pass through the blender, just before serving, add the cream and the brandy and keep in low until it is to be served.

Pejibayes are the fruit of palm tree that only grows in the highlands of Costa Rica and Colombia, in Colombia they are called chontaduros, and they can be found in jars at the Mercado Latino here in Ottawa. They come already cooked in the jar.

4-MANGO MOUSSE

Serves 12

• Ingredients

• 1Kilo ripe mangos, or substitute for concentrate
  3tbs. unflavored gelatin
  ½ cup cold water
  3 egg whites
  1 cup sugar
  3 egg yolks
  1 cup whipping cream
  mango slices to decorate

• Preparation

Mangos are peeled and cut in chunks. Put them in the food processor and process until smooth, strain. You should end up with 2 cups of mango pulp.

Dissolve the gelatin in cold water, then melt in a double boiler (bain marie). Place the mango in a saucepan, sugar and yolks, cook at medium fire for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the dissolved gelatin and cook for one more minute. Remove from the fire and let it cool a bit.

Beat the egg whites until it peaks. Beat separately the cream until it peaks. Fold in the egg whites and the whipped cream to he mango mixture.

Place in a ring mold (8 cup capacity) and let it cool until it sets, unmold and decorate with slices of mango.

5-CEVICHE DE PESCADO (MARINATED FISH)

• Ingredients

• 5 lb. firm-fleshed white fish (sea bass or red snapper)
  Juice of 15 to 20 limes or lemons.
  1 cup chopped onions
  ¼ cup finely chopped fresh coriander or parsley
  ¼ cup finely chopped red pepper
  Salt, pepper, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce, to taste
  Finely chopped fresh parsley, garnish

• Preparation

Cut the fish in ½ inches squares. Marinated for six hours in the lime juice. Add the onions and marinated 1 hour.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix very carefully.
Cover and chill for about 4 hours.

Serve in small bowls, garnished with parsley, with seafood cocktail sauce or hot suce on the side. Eat either with soda crackers or plantain chips.

Important note on the Ceviche:

Please note that ceviche is a form of cooking not with heat, but with the acid of the lemons, we usually leave it (marinating) overnight for a firmer meat. It is not, as some people refer to it as a raw fish.

6-NO-COOK RUM CHIQUITAS

Serves 4

• Ingredientes

• 2-4 ripe bananas, sliced crosswise diagonally
  ¼ cup rum
  2tbsp. sugar
  2tbsp. cinnamon
  ¼ tsp. Grated nutmeg
  fresh orange slices for garnish

• Preparation

Place the bananas in a bowl. Pour rum over them and sprinkle with the sugar and spices. Allow to marinate about one hour. Garnish with slices of fresh orange.

 

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