Pura Vida! Facts About Costa Rica, Home Of The Happiest People On Earth

Summary

Costa Rica, nestled in Central America, is celebrated for its environmental sustainability, with nearly all its energy from green sources. Renowned for its tourism, it outearns its staple crops like coffee and bananas. Known as a happy country, it cherishes unique traditions like calling lovers 'oranges' and features the marimba as its national instrument. Costa Rica is also a hub for biodiversity, with numerous volcanic formations and being a top coffee exporter. It boasts a high literacy rate and a unique culture encapsulated by 'Pura Vida', reflecting its people's happiness and lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, known for its lush rainforests and rich biodiversity.
• 🏖 The country's name, meaning 'rich coast,' was given by Spanish conquistadors due to the locals' gold jewelry.
• 🔋 Costa Rica is a leader in environmental sustainability, with 99.62% of its energy coming from green sources as of 2019.
• 🏆 It ranks as the 12th happiest country on Earth according to the Happy Planet Index and consistently places in the top 20 of the World Happiness Report.
• 🍊 Costa Ricans affectionately refer to their lovers as 'oranges' or 'media naranja,' meaning 'the other half of the orange'.
• 🎶 The marimba, which originated from Africa, is the national instrument of Costa Rica and was once made from hollowed-out gourds.
• ☕ Costa Rica is the 13th largest coffee exporter globally, with a history of coffee cultivation dating back to 1779.
• 👥 The country has a high literacy rate of 96% and prioritizes education in its budget allocation.
• 🥤 The term 'soda' in Costa Rica refers to small restaurants serving traditional local dishes, not fizzy drinks.
• 🌋 Costa Rica is home to 200 volcanic formations, with Arenal Volcano being one of the most active in the world.
• 🏞️ The country boasts 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites and is known for its rich cultural and natural heritage.

Q & A

What does the name 'Costa Rica' translate to and how did it get its name?

The name 'Costa Rica' translates to 'rich coast.' It was named so by the Spanish conquistadors in the early 1500s because they observed the locals' fondness for gold jewelry.

What percentage of Costa Rica's energy comes from green sources?

As of 2019, 99.62% of Costa Rica's energy is generated from green sources, highlighting the country's commitment to environmental sustainability.

How does Costa Rica rank in terms of happiness according to the Happy Planet Index and the World Happiness Report?

Costa Rica holds the record for being the 12th happiest country on Earth according to the Happy Planet Index in 2016 and was consistently ranked in the top 20 in the 2019 World Happiness Report by the United Nations.

What is the term Costa Ricans use to refer to their lovers and what does it mean?

Costa Ricans refer to their lovers as 'media naranja,' which translates to 'the other half of the orange.'

What is Costa Rica's national instrument and where did it originate from?

The marimba is Costa Rica's national instrument. It originated from Africa and was essential to the musical background of Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Mexican Chiapas region.

What is Costa Rica's rank in the world's largest coffee exporters?

Costa Rica ranks 13th in the world's largest coffee exporters.

How does Costa Rica contribute to the education of its citizens, especially in rural areas?

Costa Rica allocates a significant portion of its budget to education. For children in rural areas who may not have access to schools, a national radio station broadcasts lessons.

What is the cultural misunderstanding that can arise from the word 'soda' in Costa Rica?

In Costa Rica, if you ask for a soda, locals might take you to a small restaurant called a 'soda,' which serves traditional local dishes like 'Casado,' not fizzy drinks.

How does Costa Rica's size compare to Lake Michigan?

Costa Rica is the 3rd smallest country in Central America with a total area of 51,100 km², which is smaller than Lake Michigan, with an area of 58,000 km².

What is unique about Costa Rica's volcanoes?

Costa Rica is home to 200 volcanic formations, with most being over 65 million years old. Out of these, only 5 are officially classified as active volcanoes, and 60 are dormant.

What is significant about the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica?

The Arenal Volcano is the most active volcano in Costa Rica and one of the most active in the world. It erupted tragically in 1968 and was last recorded to erupt in 2010.