History of Costa Rica

Costa Rica History

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Costa Rica was inhabited by about 400,000 Indians when Columbus explored America in 1502. The Spanish conquest began in 1524.The region grew slowly and was

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administered as a Spanish province. Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821 but was absorbed for two years by Agustín de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. It became a republic in 1848. With the exception of the military dictatorship of Tomás Guardia from 1870 to 1882, Costa Rica has enjoyed one of the most democratic governments in Latin America.

In the 1970’s, rising oil prices, falling international commodity prices and inflation affecting the economy of Costa Rica. Efforts have been made to reduce dependence on coffee, banana and beef exports. Tourism is now big business. Oscar Arias Sanchez worked to heal at the same time his country’s economic problems and promote peace in Central America.

More information about the history of Costa Rica:

José María Figueres Olsen, the National Liberation Party became president in 1994. He opposed economic suggestions made by the International Monetary Fund, instead favoring greater government intervention in the economy. The World Bank subsequently withheld $ 100 million of funding. In 1998, Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the Social Christian Unity Party became president, pledging economic reforms such as privatization. In 2000, Costa Rica and Nicaragua settled a long dispute over navigation on the San Juan River, which forms the common border. A psychiatrist, Abel Pacheco, also of the Social Christian Unity Party won the presidency in elections held in April 2002. In May 2003, several national strikes were carried out by workers of energy and telecommunications through privatization and by teachers over their salaries.
Costa Rica has a reputation as one of the most stable, prosperous and least corrupt Latin American countries. But in the fall of 2004, three former presidents of Costa Rica (José María Figueres Olsen, Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Rafael Angel Calderon) were investigated on corruption charges. In 2006, Oscar Arias Sánchez was elected president. Arias, who had served as president once before (1986-1990), won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 to promote peace talks that eventually ended the civil war in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Puerto Rico Flag
Puerto Rico Flag

The government of Costa Rica in November 2008 voted to implement the Free Trade Agreement that voters had approved in October 2007.
In February 2010, Laura Chinchilla, became the first woman in the country to be elected president, taking 47% of the vote. She is a centrist outlet protected President Oscar Arias.

Tags: History of Costa Rica. Historical Information of Costa Rica.Facts and historical events in Costa Rica. Presidents of Costa Rica.