| Amidst the political and social turbulence that plagues | | | | With a $1.9-billion-a-year tourism industry, Costa Rica |
| many of the Latin America countries, Costa Rica has | | | | stands as the most visited nation in the Central |
| been able to sidestep that. The economic, political and | | | | American region. Most of the tourists come from the |
| social stability of Costa Rica is one characteristic that | | | | U.S. (54%) which translates into a relatively high |
| has distinguished it through its entire contemporary | | | | expenditure per tourist of $1000 per trip. In 2005, |
| history and as one of its most important strengths, has | | | | tourism contributed with 8.1% of the country´s |
| enabled it to reach great success in luring foreign | | | | GNP and represented 13.3% of direct and indirect |
| investors. | | | | employment. Ecotourism is extremely popular with the |
| Costa Rica's government has been a stable | | | | many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and |
| democracy since 1949. The country's success was | | | | protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was |
| recognized in 1987 when President Arias Sanchez | | | | a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is |
| was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The award was | | | | recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism. |
| granted for the president's high ethical standards and | | | | The protection of the environment has also become a |
| the image that he portrayed as a representative of | | | | top priority to Costa Ricans and their government. |
| the Costa Rican people. The people share in his high | | | | Social Stability |
| ethics and morals. They are recognized to be among | | | | As Costa Rica has succeeded in implementing political |
| the top educated and socially aware people in the | | | | and economic stability, many of the country's policies |
| world. | | | | focus on social stability. Economic and political policies |
| Political Stability | | | | have helped to ensure that the basic needs of the |
| Costa Rica was the first country in the world to | | | | people are being met and the standard of living is |
| constitutionally abolish its army. Following civil war in the | | | | continually improving. The Costa Rican people are |
| 1940's, Costa Rica ended rule by armed forces and | | | | well-educated and nearly the whole population is |
| established a democratic republic. Since 1949, the | | | | literate. The literacy rate in Costa Rica is of 96% (CIA |
| Costa Rican government has been a stable | | | | World Factbook, February 2007). Elementary and high |
| democracy that is governed by a strong, democratic | | | | schools are found throughout the country in practically |
| constitution. Even before the current democracy was | | | | every community. Universal public education is |
| established, the Costa Rican government stemmed | | | | guaranteed in the Constitution. Primary education is |
| from a political tradition of rule by the majority. Its | | | | obligatory, and both preschool and high school are free. |
| government has also been able to work towards | | | | There are both state and private universities. |
| pacification and successfully avoid the widespread | | | | According to the United Nations Study conducted in |
| violence that occurs throughout most of Latin America. | | | | 1980s, Costa Rica's medical system was first in Latin |
| Costa Rica is one of the most stable governments in | | | | America and ranked near the United States and |
| the region. | | | | Canada among the 20 best in the world. There is |
| Economic Stability | | | | access to clean water and health services and the life |
| For the past twenty years, Costa Rica has not | | | | expectancy rate is high. The World Health Report |
| experienced any economic crisis. For a developing | | | | (1995) placed Costa Rica third in life expectancy in the |
| country, that is a great accomplishment. Poverty has | | | | world. All of Costa Rica's social indicators are among |
| been reduced from 40 percent of the population to | | | | the best in Latin America. |
| below 20 percent of the population, which is over a 50 | | | | All of the achievements that the Costa Rican |
| percent reduction. The average economic growth rate | | | | government has made in the past 50 years have led |
| of the country is approximately 2.5 percent each year. | | | | to political, economic, and social stability. It is no reason |
| Costa Rica has increased their participation in world | | | | why Costa Rica Real Estate Investments are |
| trade as well. Exports rose from 30 percent of the | | | | increasing at an alarming rate each year. According to |
| GDP in 1980 to 50 percent in 2000. The increase in | | | | the U.S. Embassy's website, over 20,000 private |
| trade has led to an expansion of the economy and | | | | American citizens reside in the country. While property |
| greatly reduced the economy's vulnerability to financial | | | | prices still remain extremely reasonable, the great |
| crisis. As the Central American Free Trade | | | | attraction to Costa Rica, on all levels, is raising property |
| Agreement (CAFTA) was implemented, Costa Rica | | | | prices and many investors are enjoying double-digit |
| was further integrated into the world economy and | | | | appreciation annually. |
| economic stability was further established. | | | | |