Costa Rica : un paradis vert ? - Le dessous des cartes | ARTE

Summary

The video script offers an in-depth exploration of Costa Rica, highlighting its unique geography and rich biodiversity. Located in Central America, the country is known for its paradisiacal beaches, lush rainforests, and active volcanoes. Costa Rica has become a haven for eco-tourism, with a significant portion of its territory designated as protected areas and three of its national parks recognized by UNESCO. The country has also made strides in environmental sustainability, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and achieving nearly 99.9% renewable energy production in 2019. However, the script also addresses the challenges Costa Rica faces, including intensive agriculture, deforestation, and social inequalities. Despite these issues, Costa Rica stands out as a democratic and peaceful nation in Central America, with a high literacy rate and a commitment to education and health, reflecting its unique history and progressive social policies.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Costa Rica is known for its whale-tail shaped Uvita beach, where whales and dolphins can be seen.
• 🏞️ The country is highly touristic with its primary forests, volcanoes, rivers, beaches, mangroves, and high biodiversity.
• 🗺️ Located in Central America, it is a small country with a land area of 51,100 km², situated between North and South America.
• 🌋 Costa Rica has 19 volcanoes, 5 of which are active, with Arenal being the most famous for its long eruption history.
• 🌱 The central valley is a fertile plateau and the economic heartland, hosting 3/4 of the country's 5 million inhabitants.
• 🐦 The country is home to 4% of known animal and plant species, including 900 bird species, 230 mammals, and 12,000 plants.
• 🏞️ 26% of Costa Rica's territory is protected, one of the highest rates globally, with three of its national parks being UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• ⚡ In 2019, Costa Rica produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
• 🕊️ Costa Rica abolished its military in 1949, redirecting funds to education and health, resulting in a high literacy rate and decent GDP per capita.
• 🌱 Since the late 20th century, Costa Rica has focused on eco-tourism, leveraging its natural beauty to become a key economic sector.
• 🌳 The country has made significant efforts in reforestation, increasing forest cover from 26% in 1983 to nearly 60% of its territory today.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Uvita beach in Costa Rica?

Uvita beach is significant as it is known for its whale-tail shape and is located in a paradisiacal setting in the south of Costa Rica. It is a place where whales and dolphins can be seen, and it represents the country's rich biodiversity and natural beauty.

How does Costa Rica's geographical location contribute to its tourism industry?

Costa Rica's geographical location between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, with its two coastlines and position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, contributes to its tourism industry by offering a diverse range of landscapes, including beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests, which attract tourists.

What is the importance of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica?

Arenal Volcano is significant as it is the most famous volcano in Costa Rica and has had one of the longest eruptions in history. It is part of the country's three volcanic chains and contributes to the unique geological features that tourists visit.

What is the Central Valley's role in Costa Rica's economy?

The Central Valley is a fertile plateau located at the foot of one of the three volcanic chains in Costa Rica. It serves as the economic lung of the country, housing three-quarters of the 5 million inhabitants, including over 2 million in the capital, San José.

How does Costa Rica's biodiversity compare globally?

Costa Rica has an exceptional biodiversity, with 4% of the known animal and plant species globally, including 900 bird species, 230 mammal species, and 12,000 plant species. It also has a rich marine biodiversity, with its territory extending to the Cocos Island, part of a marine conservation corridor.

What is Costa Rica's stance on environmental protection?

Costa Rica is a pioneer in environmental protection, with 26% of its territory in protected areas, one of the highest rates in the world. The country aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 through an ambitious energy policy, and in 2019, it produced nearly 99.9% of its electricity from renewable sources.

Why is Costa Rica considered an atypical country in Central America?

Costa Rica is considered atypical in Central America due to its stable and peaceful democratic regime. Since 1949, it has been the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army, redirecting the budget towards education and health, leading to high literacy rates and a good standard of living.

How has Costa Rica's history influenced its current status as a 'green paradise'?

Costa Rica's history as a late colonizer with no significant precious metals led to the development of a society of small farmers who owned their lands and paid their employees well. This history contributed to the country's egalitarian tendencies and its focus on social policies and environmental preservation.

What is the role of tourism in Costa Rica's economy?

Tourism plays a key role in Costa Rica's economy, accounting for 6% of its GDP. The country has focused on eco-tourism, leveraging its natural beauty and biodiversity to attract visitors, with nearly 3 million tourists in 2019.

What challenges does Costa Rica face regarding the sustainability of its tourism industry?

The sustainability of Costa Rica's tourism industry is challenged by its energy-intensive nature and dependency on air travel. Additionally, the country faces the issue of intensive agriculture, which is the second pillar of its economy but contributes to deforestation and water pollution.

What steps has Costa Rica taken to address deforestation?

In response to deforestation, which saw the country's forest cover drop from 75% in 1945 to 26% in 1983, Costa Rica launched a reforestation policy in 1996. This policy involved compensating farmers for reducing their land use and replanting trees, leading to the reforestation of nearly 60% of the territory.

How does Costa Rica's agricultural sector impact its environmental efforts?

Costa Rica's agricultural sector, particularly the intensive farming of coffee, bananas, and pineapples, poses a significant challenge to its environmental efforts. The use of pesticides contaminates waterways, and large plantations have contributed to deforestation, which is at odds with the country's image as a leader in environmental protection.