Costa Rica

Costa Rica is considered the Switzerland of Central America. Christopher Columbus recognized the natural beauty and wealth of this land and thus named it "Rich Coast" in 1502. Although the entire country is significantly smaller than Michigan, it has a highly varied landscape. Volcanic mountain ranges with cloud forests run through the center of the country separating the humid tropics of the Atlantic coastal lowlands from the drier regions of Guanacaste province in the Pacific northwest of Costa Rica. San Jose and the neighboring cities of Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago are located in the Central Valley and possess a spring like climate due to the relatively high altitude, between 915-1500 meters above sea level. The EARTH campus is located approximately 60 miles from San Jose and can be reached by students easily and inexpensively via public transportation.

The Costa Rican people, "Ticos", are culturally diverse with >80% of the population being of Spanish or European descent. In the geographically isolated Atlantic coastal regions of Limon, the people are predominately black with a uniquely Caribbean culture.
Costa Rica prides itself in being one of the oldest democracies in Latin America and enjoys great freedom and peace. The country does not even have a military force.

Tourism is the largest industry within Costa Rica followed by banana and coffee production. Foreigners are attracted to Costa Rica because of its emphasis on ecotourism and the opportunities to visit cloud forests, hike up the slopes of three active volcanoes, swim and snorkel in numerous world class beaches along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, observe green sea turtles, white water raft on mountain rivers, and watch exotic birds, butterflies and wildlife in the tropical rain forests.

Tourist Attractions in Costa Rica include:

1. Volcanoes: Arenal Poas Irazu
2. Beaches:      Pacific coastal: Flamingo Tamarindo Jaco Manuel Antonio   Atlantic coastal: Cahuita Puerto Viejo
3. Rain Forests: Monteverde La Selva (OTS) Braulio Carrillo National Park
4. Green turtles:    Tortuguero National Park
5. Wildlife:    Cano Nego Wildlife Refuge
6. San Jose:    National Museum Gold Museum Jade Museum Museum of Contemporary Art National Theater
7. Miscellaneous Sarchi (ox cart factories) Cartago (Brasilica de Los Angeles) Lankaster Orchid gardens Butterfly farms (Alajuela, etc.) Moravia (souvenier shops)