30 Curiosidades que no Sabías sobre Costa Rica | El país más seguro de Latinoamérica
Summary
TLDRDiscover 30 fascinating facts about Costa Rica, a country rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. From the significant archaeological collection at the Central Bank's museums to the unique tropical rainforest on Isla del Coco, Costa Rica offers a diverse range of natural and historical wonders. Learn about its Nobel Peace Prize-winning ex-president, Oscar Arias Sánchez, the impressive stone spheres from a sophisticated pre-Columbian civilization, and its remarkable recovery from deforestation. Costa Rica is also a regional football power, a hub for international institutions, and a leader in renewable energy, with 99% of its energy coming from renewable sources. Known as the 'Switzerland of America,' it boasts a high quality of life and a climate that defines tropical living.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ The Central Bank museums of Costa Rica house one of the most important archaeological collections in the country, including over 3,500 gold, ceramic, and stone objects.
- 🏝️ Isla del Coco is the only tropical eastern Pacific island with a tropical rainforest and was a refuge for pirates and corsairs who allegedly hid treasures there.
- 🏆 Former President Oscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role in peace processes in Central American conflicts during the 1980s.
- 🗿 Costa Rica is home to giant stone spheres, a sophisticated creation of its pre-Columbian civilization, which was the only one to reach the concept of abstraction.
- ⚽️ Costa Rica is a regional football powerhouse, winning the CONCACAF championship eight times and being the most successful Central American team in the competition.
- 🌳 In the 1980s, Costa Rica faced severe deforestation, but due to environmental legislation, it now has 25% of its territory protected and 52% forest cover, the highest in the region.
- 🌎 Costa Rica holds 5% of the world's biodiversity within just 0.3% of the Earth's mass and has banned recreational hunting.
- 💧 99% of Costa Rica's energy comes from renewable sources, with 80% being hydroelectric, highlighting the country's commitment to sustainability.
- 🏫 Costa Rica hosts several international institutions, including the UN University for Peace, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and the Central American Monetary Council.
- 🌋 The country has a high concentration of volcanoes, with 112 in total and five of them being active, including the Poás Volcano with one of the world's largest craters.
Q & A
What is one of the most important archaeological collections in Costa Rica?
-The museums of the Central Bank of Costa Rica have one of the most important archaeological collections in the country, including over 3,567 gold, ceramic, and lithic objects, as well as a small collection of ethnographic objects that belonged to indigenous groups.
Why is Isla del Coco significant in the Pacific region?
-Isla del Coco is the only tropical island in the eastern Pacific that has a tropical rainforest. It served as a refuge for pirates and corsairs for over a century, and according to legends, they hid valuable treasures there.
For what achievement did Oscar Arias Sánchez receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987?
-Oscar Arias Sánchez received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his participation in peace processes to resolve armed conflicts in Central America during the 1980s.
What do the Stone Spheres of Costa Rica signify about the pre-Columbian civilization?
-The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica, which began to be made around 600 AD, are anomalous creations that denote a sophisticated civilization of the time. They are a testament to the only pre-Columbian civilization that reached the concept of abstraction.
How has Costa Rica's football team performed in regional competitions?
-Costa Rica is a regional powerhouse in football, being the most successful Central American team in CONCACAF and the Central American Cup, having won the championship eight times out of thirteen editions.
What significant environmental change has Costa Rica undergone since the 1980s?
-In the 1980s, Costa Rica was almost destroyed by deforestation, with only 36% of its territory deforested. However, by 2000, the deforestation rate had increased to 89%. Thanks to environmental legislation, today 25% of the national territory is protected, and 52% has forest cover, making it a leader in protected territory percentage.
What percentage of Costa Rica's biodiversity is unique to the country?
-Costa Rica has an extraordinary biodiversity, holding 5% of the world's biodiversity within just 0.3% of the Earth's mass.
How does Costa Rica rank in terms of health among the nations of the world?
-Costa Rica is among the 50 healthiest nations on Earth, ranking 33rd out of 163 territories, and is the third healthiest nation in Latin America, only surpassed by Cuba and Chile.
What is the significance of the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica?
-The Poás Volcano in the Central Volcanic Mountain Range is one of the most significant because it has one of the largest craters in the world and is one of the five active volcanoes in the country.
What is the origin of the phrase 'Pura Vida' in Costa Rica?
-The phrase 'Pura Vida' is a constant expression in Costa Rica, used for greeting, indicating well-being, describing someone's quality, bidding farewell, and even for expressing gratitude. It encapsulates the essence of the country's lifestyle and philosophy.
How does Costa Rica's climate differ from other tropical regions?
-Costa Rica has a varied climate with a tropical setting and two well-defined seasons: the dry season, also known as summer, and the rainy season, also known as winter. It does not have spring or autumn seasons.
What was the economic driver of Costa Rica during the 19th and 20th centuries?
-Coffee was the main economic driver of Costa Rica during the 19th and most of the 20th century, earning it the nickname 'grano de oro' (grain of gold). Today, Costa Rica continues to compete globally to offer the best gourmet coffee.
What is the origin of the term 'Ticos' used to refer to Costa Ricans?
-The term 'Ticos' originated during the National Central American War against the filibusters when it was noticed that Costa Rican soldiers frequently used diminutives and the suffix '-tico', such as 'tico' instead of 'patito'. This usage was simplified and became the colloquial term for Costa Ricans.
Why is Costa Rica known as the 'Switzerland of America'?
-Costa Rica is known as the 'Switzerland of America' due to its small size, mountainous terrain, hosting of many institutions, high quality of life, and its politically neutral stance with its neighbors.
What is the significance of Franklin Chang Díaz to Costa Rica and space exploration?
-Franklin Chang Díaz is a Costa Rican astronaut and physicist who holds the record for the number of space shuttle flights with NASA, having made seven trips. He is dedicated to research in plasma propulsion, which is crucial for future long-distance space missions, such as reaching Mars. He also founded the Al Dia Rocket Company.
How did Costa Rica celebrate its independence from Spain?
-Costa Rica celebrates its independence from Spain on September 15th. The celebration includes a torch relay called the Torch of Liberty, which starts in Guatemala and ends in Costa Rica, involving schools and institutions to commemorate the declaration of independence for Central America.
What are the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica?
-Costa Rica has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Cordillera de Talamanca Reserve, the Amistad National Park, the Guanacaste Conservation Area, and the Pre-Columbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of Diquís.
Outlines
🌟 Costa Rica's Rich Cultural and Natural Wonders
Costa Rica is home to the Central Bank Museums, which boast one of the most significant archaeological collections in the country, including over 3,500 gold, ceramic, and stone objects. The Isla del Coco, with its tropical rainforest, was a haven for pirates and is rumored to hide treasures. Oscar Arias Sánchez, a former president, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role in peace processes in Central America during the 1980s. The country also features the enigmatic stone spheres, a testament to a sophisticated pre-Columbian civilization. Costa Rica is a regional football powerhouse, having won the Central American Championship eight times. In the 1980s, the country faced severe deforestation, but strong environmental policies have since led to significant reforestation, with 25% of the land protected and 52% forested, setting a global example for change.
🏞️ Biodiversity and Renewable Energy in Costa Rica
Costa Rica, despite occupying only 0.3% of the Earth's landmass, contains 5% of the planet's biodiversity and has banned recreational hunting. The country's energy comes mostly from renewable sources, with 99% from renewables and 80% from hydroelectric power, making it a leader in sustainable energy. The Reventazón Hydroelectric Dam is Central America's largest. Costa Rica is also known as the 'Switzerland of America' due to its neutrality, high quality of life, and concentration of international institutions. It is the seat of the UN University for Peace, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and other significant organizations. The country ranks among the healthiest nations, with a focus on ecotourism and a commitment to environmental conservation.
🌋 Volcanic Landscapes and Cultural Heritage
Costa Rica is a mountainous country with four main and four secondary mountain systems, and it is the world's leading pineapple exporter, known for the quality of its produce. The country has a peaceful history, having dissolved its army after a civil war but maintaining a strong public force with various special units for defense and security. Costa Rica's climate is tropical with defined dry and wet seasons, and it was the main economic driver in the 19th and 20th centuries through coffee production, known as 'grano de oro'. The country is one of the oldest democracies in the world and is renowned for its ecotourism, which has become a major industry. Costa Rica is also known as the 'Switzerland of America' for its neutrality and high quality of life.
🚀 Astronauts, Historical Milestones, and UNESCO Heritage Sites
Costa Rica is known for its astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz, who holds the record for the most space shuttle flights and is working on plasma propulsion for future space missions. The country was the first in Latin America to have a McDonald's and was the third city in the world, after New York and Paris, to have electric lighting. Costa Rica celebrates its independence with a unique torch relay that starts in Guatemala. The country is a popular retirement and tourism destination for expatriates, offering a tranquil and paradisiacal lifestyle. It has four UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Talamanca Range Reserve, the Cocos Island National Park, the Guanacaste Conservation Area, and the Pre-Columbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Archaeological Collection
💡Island of Cocos
💡Oscar Arias Sánchez
💡Stone Spheres
💡Football
💡Deforestation
💡Biodiversity
💡Renewable Energy
💡Pura Vida
💡Volcanoes
💡Coffee
Highlights
Costa Rica's Central Bank museums house one of the most important archaeological collections in the country, with over 3,567 gold, ceramic, and stone objects.
Isla del Coco is the only tropical island in the eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest and was a refuge for pirates for over a century.
Ex-President Óscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for his role in peace processes in Central America.
Costa Rica is known for its giant stone spheres, a sophisticated creation of its pre-Columbian civilization, unique for reaching the concept of abstraction.
Costa Rica is a regional football powerhouse, winning the CONCACAF championship eight times out of thirteen.
In the 1980s, Costa Rica faced severe deforestation, but strong environmental legislation has since led to 25% of its territory being protected and 52% forest coverage.
Costa Rica boasts 5% of the world's biodiversity within just 0.3% of the Earth's mass and has banned recreational hunting.
Costa Rica generates 99% of its energy from renewable sources, with 80% being hydroelectric, including the largest dam in Central America.
Costa Rica is home to the UN University for Peace, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and other significant international institutions.
The country ranks among the top 50 healthiest nations globally, being the third healthiest in Latin America.
Costa Rica has 112 volcanoes, five of which are active, including the Poás Volcano with one of the world's largest craters.
Costa Rican cuisine is diverse, with traditional dishes like casado, ceviche, gallo pinto, and many others.
The phrase 'pura vida' is a way of life in Costa Rica, used for greeting, farewell, and expressing well-being.
Costa Rica is very mountainous, with most of its territory between 900 and 1800 meters above sea level, and four main mountain ranges.
Costa Rica is the world's leading pineapple exporter, known for producing the best pineapples globally.
Costa Rica has no standing army and relies on a public security force, maintaining a peaceful stance with its neighbors.
The country has a diverse climate with a well-defined dry and rainy season, lacking spring and autumn.
Coffee was the main economic driver in Costa Rica during the 19th and 20th centuries, earning it the nickname 'grano de oro'.
Costa Rica is one of the oldest democracies in the world and is considered a full democracy in Latin America.
Ecotourism is a major industry in Costa Rica, making it a top global destination for nature lovers.
Costa Rica is known as the 'Switzerland of America' due to its neutrality, high quality of life, and mountainous terrain.
Astronaut Franklin Chang Díaz is a notable Costa Rican who holds the record for the most space shuttle flights and is working on plasma propulsion for future space missions.
Costa Ricans are colloquially known as 'Ticos', a term that originated during the Central American war against filibusters.
Costa Rica was the first Latin American country to have a McDonald's and was the first country outside the USA to host one.
San José, Costa Rica, was the first capital in Latin America and the third in the world to have electric lighting.
Costa Rica celebrates its independence from Spain with a unique torch relay that starts in Guatemala and ends in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is a popular retirement and tourism destination for expatriates, with many running their own businesses.
Costa Rica has four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Talamanca Range, Isla del Coco, Guanacaste Conservation Area, and the Diquís Stone Spheres.
Transcripts
hoy veremos 30 curiosidades que quizás
no sabías sobre costa rica comenzamos
número 1 los museos del banco central
cuentan con una de las colecciones
arqueológicas más importantes de costa
rica incluye tres mil quinientos sesenta
y siete objetos de oro cerámica y lítica
adicionalmente existe una pequeña
colección de objetos etnográficos que
pertenecieron a los grupos indígenas que
han habitado el país número dos la isla
del coco es la única de la zona tropical
del pacífico oriental que posee un
bosque húmedo tropical este lugar fue
durante más de un siglo refugio de
piratas y corsarios que según leyendas
ahí escondieron valiosos tesoros número
3 el ex presidente oscar arias sánchez
recibió el premio nobel de la paz en
1987 por participar en los procesos de
paz en los conflictos armados de américa
central de los años 80 número 4 en costa
rica se encuentran las esferas gigantes
de piedra unas piedras que comenzaron a
realizarse por sus habitantes a partir
del año 600 después de cristo
estas anómalas creaciones denotan una
sofisticada civilización de la época
fue la única civilización precolombina
en llegar al concepto de la abstracción
número 5 costa rica es una potencia
regional en el fútbol siendo el mayor
ganador centroamericano de la concacaf y
en la copa centroamericana este país ha
logrado ganar en ocho ocasiones de las
13 veces que se celebró este campeonato
número 6 a mediados de los años 80 costa
rica era un país casi arrasado por la
deforestación en 1960 que el territorio
deforestado era sólo del 36 por ciento
pero para el año 2000 la deforestación
se disparó y había aumentado al 89 por
ciento sus índices de tala y desmonte
para la agricultura y ganadería
conduciendo a costa rica a un árido
abismo pero pronto las políticas
cambiaron y gracias a las legislaciones
ambientales hoy en día el 25 por ciento
del territorio nacional está protegido y
el 52 por ciento de su superficie cuenta
con cobertura boscosa este porcentaje de
territorio protegido es el más alto que
en ningún otro país costa rica es la
prueba viviente de que el cambio si
existe
7 costa rica es un país con tanta
biodiversidad que en tan solo el 0.3 por
ciento de la masa de la tierra posee el
5 por ciento de la biodiversidad del
planeta y lo mejor de todo es que este
país es de los pocos que ha prohibido la
cacería recreativa número 8 una de las
hipótesis del origen del nombre de costa
rica- es que al llegar 'cristóbal colón'
al país el 25 de septiembre de 1.502 en
lo que sería su cuarto viaje a américa
éste quedó impresionado por la
abundancia de adornos de oro de sus
habitantes llamando a la región la costa
rica- número 9 este país ha logrado que
el 99 por ciento de su energía provenga
de fuentes renovables 80 por ciento de
la energía es hidroeléctrica
de hecho la presa hidroeléctrica
reventazón es la más grande de
centroamérica número 10
hoy en día costa rica es la sede de la
universidad para la paz de la onu de la
corte interamericana de derechos humanos
el instituto interamericano de
cooperación para la agricultura y el
consejo monetario centroamericano
número 11 este país está entre las 50
naciones más saludables de la tierra
donde el país alcanzó la posición 33
entre 163 territorios con este puesto se
colocó como la tercera nación más
saludable entre las latinoamericanas
sólo superada por cuba en el segundo
lugar y chile en el primer lugar número
12 costa rica tiene una gran
concentración de volcanes sumando la
cantidad de 112 cinco de los cuales son
activos de entre todos ellos se destaca
el volcán poás en la cordillera
volcánica central que cuenta con uno de
los cráteres más grandes del mundo
número 13 entre los platos más
representativos de este país podemos
mencionar el casado el ceviche el gallo
pinto la olla de carne los tamales las
empanadas de maíz los canelones el
vigorón las empanadas de plátano verde
la sopa de mondongo los plátanos asados
el picadillo de cheese caquín él
chifrijo y las chorreadas por mencionar
unos cuantos de ellos número 14 costa
rica es reconocido internacional
por ser el país de la pura vida una
frase que dicen constantemente y que
utilizan para todo ya sea para saludar
para decir que están bien para hablar de
la calidad de alguien como persona para
despedirse e incluso para agradecer
número 15 costa rica es un país muy
montañoso y la mayor parte de su
territorio está formado por elevaciones
de entre 900 y 1800 metros sobre el
nivel del mar
existen cuatro sistemas montañosos
principales además de cuatro sistemas
montañosos secundarios número 16 costa
rica es el mayor exportador de piña del
mundo y según las estadísticas de
comercio exterior de costa rica
elaboradas por la promotora de comercio
exterior la piña de costa rica está
catalogada como la mejor piña del mundo
número 17 este país es muy pacífico
después de la guerra civil su
constitución terminó por disolver a su
ejército aunque para no estar indefensos
poseen la policía administrativa
denominada fuerza pública de costa rica-
fuera y dentro de la fuerza pública hay
varias unidades de fuerzas especiales
contra
militar de otras naciones como la unidad
especial de apoyo los grupos de apoyo
operacional la unidad de intervención
policial además el organismo de
investigación judicial cuenta con una
unidad de fuerzas especiales este es el
servicio especial de respuesta táctica
otra unidad especial con la que cuenta
costa rica es la unidad especial de
intervención pero este depende del
ministerio de presidencia y no del
ministerio de seguridad pública número
18 costa rica es un país climáticamente
variado presenta un clima tropical con
dos estaciones bien definidas en casi
todo su territorio la seca también
llamada verano y la lluviosa también
llamada invierno no existe ni la
primavera ni el otoño
número 19 el café fue el principal motor
económico del estado costarricense
durante el siglo 19 y gran parte del
siglo 20 por eso se le conoció como el
grano de oro y hoy en día costa rica
sigue compitiendo a nivel mundial para
ofrecer el mejor café gourmet del mundo
número 20 costa rica está en la lista de
las 22 democracias más antiguas del
mundo considerándose junto a uruguay
como las dos únicas democracias plenas
de toda américa latina según la bbc
número 21 este país es muy famoso por
ser uno de los grandes destinos
ecoturísticos del mundo lo que ha
convertido al turismo en una de las
principales industrias del país número
22 costa rica al ser un país neutral es
de los países que mejores relaciones
tiene con sus vecinos en latinoamérica
lo que la ha llevado a mediar
neutralmente en los conflictos de sus
vecinos número 23 al ser un país pequeño
montañoso sede de muchas instituciones
tener una de las mejores calidades de
vida de la región y una relación
política neutral con sus vecinos es lo
que ha popularizado a este país en
nombre de la suiza de américa número 24
franklin chang díaz es un astronauta y
físico costarricense de la nasa que
comparte el récord de número de viajes
al espacio a bordo del transbordador
espacial con un total de 7
la nasa entre 1986 y 2002 además es uno
de los miembros del salón de la fama de
la nasa franklin ha dedicado su vida a
la investigación para la propulsión con
plasma la cual es fundamental para
futuras misiones espaciales de larga
distancia como el objetivo alcanzar a
marte por lo cual ha creado la compañía
al astra rocket company cuya sede
principal está en la nations space
center y también tiene una sede en
guanacaste costa rica número 25 los
costarricenses se refieren a sí mismos
como ticos esta palabra nació durante la
guerra nacional centroamericana contra
los filibusteros cuando los combatientes
de los países aliados de costa rica se
dieron cuenta de que los soldados
costarricenses tenían la particularidad
de utilizar a menudo los diminutivos y
ccoo en vez de ito por ejemplo para tico
en vez de patito en particular los
costarricenses se referían a sus
compatriotas llamándolo sherman y ticos
esta palabra fue simplificándose y así
fue como ticos fue quedando como
gentilicio coloquial número 26
de 1970 costa rica se convirtió en el
primer país de américa latina en el que
un mcdonald's abrió sus puertas y a la
vez fue la primera franquicia
internacional en establecer operaciones
en el país de hecho costa rica fue el
primer país fuera de eeuu en tener un
mcdonald's número 27 en 1882 el gobierno
había autorizado a manuel víctor tengo
una concesión para desarrollar luz
eléctrica en costa rica de manera
exclusiva y por 15 años así fue que el 9
de agosto de 1884 la ciudad de san jose
de costa rica se convirtió en la primera
capital de américa latina y la tercera
del mundo tras nueva york y parís en
contar con iluminación eléctrica número
28 costa rica- se independizó de españa
el 15 de septiembre de 1821 y sus
habitantes tienen una forma muy peculiar
de festejar dicho acto pues cada 14 de
septiembre se saca la antorcha de la
libertad realiza un recorrido que inicia
desde guatemala y termina en costa rica
este recorrido lo hacen escuelas
públicas privadas e institutos
el gobierno pues conmemora la salida a
todo galope de las personas que
anunciaron la independencia de
centroamérica número 29 costa rica es
una opción de jubilación y turismo común
para expatriados estadounidenses y
europeos e incluso suramericanos
muchos de ellos regentan sus propios
bares y restaurantes para pasar una vida
tranquila en un lugar paradisíaco número
30 costa rica posee cuatro patrimonios
de la humanidad reconocidos por la
unesco los cuales son la reserva de la
cordillera de talamanca la amistad
parque nacional isla del coco área de
conservación guanacaste y asentamientos
casi cales precolombinos con esferas de
piedra diquís
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