Talk:Costa Rica

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[edit] James Bourne

This page has been vandalised.

Contents


[edit] Opening comments

165.123.142.82 did what I would call vandalism: changing from a country in central america to a mexican state: I reverted it. I´m a Costa Rican and since we didn´t join the Mexican Empire of Iturbide we haven´t been part of Mexico!.----Crio de la Paz 23:17, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

The official language of costa rica is spanish. I removed the English entry: in the caribbean the native language of a lot of the population could be refered to as english but it is usually classified as some sort of creole or patois language from what I remember of reading the ethnologue. Bribri and cabecar are also native languages from this native people and are not the official language of Costa Rica. There are also some colonies of menonite germans and of italians, etc. The point being that these are not "offical" languages. --Crio 20:35, 29 April 2006 (UTC)

Does anyone know where I could find a summer job in Costa Rica?? I am a student from the America. LeviFunk

Hmm, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, please use Wikitravel or a web search engine, maybe you can get better luck there. EliasTorres 07:44, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Most of this info is in the main economy article (and, of course, the cia w-factbook). I may whack it down a bit and move other info to the main economy articxle as time allows. Zosodada 19:49, 5 Jan 2005 (UTC) --

Does Costa Rica and Belize really have the same coat of arms? Den fjättrade ankan 21:40, 21 Nov 2003 (UTC)

Compare Coat_of_Arms_of_Belize and image:CostaRica_coa.jpg EliasTorres 07:44, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)

If anyone needs some pictures from Costa Rica of, say, the plantlife and terrain, I took some on my last trip down there and would gladly upload them... I have things like coffee fields, living fences, lots of tropica flora, rainshadow effect pictures, epiphytes, etc. Rei

Please do not use the Wikipedia increase your rank in the search engines. It may be considered spam. EliasTorres 07:44, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC)

There's no language section in the article - if anyone can add something I'd be very grateful. Hughcharlesparker 12:48, July 12, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Famous Costa Ricans

For what compelling reason did El_C delete my section about famous Costa Ricans like astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz? I'm putting it back and adding another famous Costa Rican to boot, Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias. GreatAlfredini aka 66.80.5.229 08/03/2005 12:17 PM PDT.

I have some concern about this list of famous Costa Ricans: personally I agree with some choices but disagree with others. Any way I think the actual contents of the list are POV. From my own POV I think the list in the spanish site is much better.--Crio de la Paz 02:32, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

Why does the opening paragraph of the the article state that "Costa Rica has one of the biggest armys [sic] in the world"? The article later states that the army has been abolished.

Costarica does have an army. They have the same uniform and use the same weapons such as m-16 and same military vehicles use by teh united states army, so why not call it an amry?

I bet most big city police forces have more fire power than all of the police forces in Costa Rica!!! There is no army as such: no conscription, no generals, no military coups... See the history of our neighbours including El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia...--Crio de la Paz 23:17, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

Nicaragua has filed a complaint against costarica before the interamerican court of human rights for violating the rights of immigrant nicaraguans in costarica. So far the most "important" is the case of a nicaraguan killed in costarica by two rotweilers mean while costaricans including the owner of the dogs, bystandars and security forces stood watching and didn't do absolutely nothing to portect the nicaraguan screaming, crying for his life. Not so peaceful and non violent of a society seems to me.

What´s your source for saying this episode (2 possible inept cops one rotweiler... go check on riots in LA disturbs in France, manifestiations in Australia, kidnapings in Colombia... I could go on and on!) is the "most important"? What really is going on is a problem of excesive illegal inmigration, it´s toll on social services and what to do about it! The biggest issue has been costarican police incursions in poor neighbourhoods where a lot of illegal inmigrants from nicaragua (and other countries, and legal inmigrants and poor costaricans!) live and discussions about policies regarding social services to illegal inmigrants, not 2 rotweilers, a couple of police officers and a whole bunch of people behaving in this awful way!!! I do worry tough because a lot of my fellow costaricans are becoming (from my point of view) xenophobic towards nicaraguans _and_ a lot of nicaraguans (here in Costa Rica and in Nicaragua) are becoming xenophobic towards costaricans!!! --Crio de la Paz 23:17, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

Costa Rica does not have an army. PERIOD. Our constitution from 1948 abolished ::it. Our police forces obviously use guns, in which other way could they defend ::the people?.
The case about the rotweillers is out of place in this discussion what it has::to do with the army?.
I wonder if you ever been in Costa Rica?. If not please come by and take a look ::for yourself. More than 1 million tourists a year seems to me a measure of how::safe and peaceful the country is. It is not like violence doesnt exist,
the human race is far away from forming a single society without violence, (if it ever had been
possible) so don't preach on what you don't know. Heosphoros

[edit] Wikipedia:Caribbean Wikipedians' notice board

I would like to announce the establishment of the Wikipedia:Caribbean Wikipedians' notice board. Anyone with an interest in the Caribbean is welcome to join in. Guettarda 1 July 2005 03:56 (UTC)

[edit] Culture section

The culture section seems like it has poor quality (esp. with the parens (and sub parens)). The second para were y'all try to explain the dimunuative seems esp. silly. Couldn't you just link to Diminutive or Tico

[edit] The Switzerland of CA? Blatant POV.

The article states that CR "is often refered [sic] to as the Switzerland of Central America". I ask, by whom? As far as I can tell, only Costa Ricans themselves ever use the expression (stating an opinion which is in actuality not shared in many other countries), which would then make this statement blatantly biased. I suggest removing the sentence altogether. --SaulPerdomo 18:21, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

OK, it's been over 6 months, and the statement is still there, in the same form. Evidently this talk page hasn't been very fruitful in that respect; but I'm not very familiar with WP's policy in these cases (nor do I want to get into a petty flamewar regarding an affectionate nickname), so I won't take it upon myself to edit it. However, the point remains valid: it is POV, and while WP likes to be enriched by differing points of view (in the sense that every unique individual has his/her own unique POV), that does not mean that we shouldn't strive for a neutral POV. In any case, I ask what is so great about comparing CR to a country that was proven to be anything but neutral in aiding the Nazi regime to hide the gold looted from Jews killed in the Holocaust? --SaulPerdomo 19:28, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

It is the Switerland of the Americas because Cananda has been part of the British Empire up 40 to 50 years ago. So that means it canada is not even close lol. In fact no one will ever say that about canada that Canada is "the Switzerland of the Americas" so yes it even surpasses Cananda in peacefulness and longer Standing Democracy.


Oh i reivewed your sources and they said what i said before that urugauy used to be " the switerland of the ameircas" and it is still for South America but for the ENTIRE Americas. Thats where Costa Rica still wins and that why it should be of the Americas not just of central America. Just as my sources proved before you totally deleted everything i said and took a way all my sources so i will revert without even asking you just like you did to me. Your logic makes no sense as you posted also "sources" that state it is refered to as the Switzerland of the Americas". Your sources all state it being the Switerland of the Americas and some even contridict them selves which shows how there some are not very accurate. Also NONE of them say Costa Rica is "the Switerland of the Central America" as you put so dont make things up or come to conclusions you dont even know about because not one of YOUR source is stating it "the Switerland of Central America".

Urugauy is no longer the Switzerlander of the Americas it used to be but ever since it military dictatorship it has lost its title. Costa Rica has NEVER had a military dicatorship and only had two periods of unrest there for Costa Rica is the Switzerland of the entire Americas while Urugauy is just in South America. I will revert the page and this time show you my sources. Unsigned by 24.60.161.63, please review WP:SIG. El_C 21:52, 9 December 2005 (UTC)

Both Costa Rica and Uruguay (relatively recently) have been called the Switzerland of Latin America (or the Americas), but only Costa Rica has been called the Switzerland of Central America and only Uruguay has been called the Switzerland of South America. It makes sense to be specific. References bellow are fairly random, but illustrate this usage outside of my own mind. El_C 08:55, 9 December 2005 (UTC)
But as I said, it was so noted recently enough; there is no need to clutter the lead with sources, we have the talk page here; your sources are not particularly authoritative (read: WP:RS), and you did not close the quoatation marks; you deleted a section of my response, and you placed your comments at the top rather than at the foot of the section — please refrain from that and please put grearer effeorts in learning how Wikipedia works; finally, Americas also implies Canada. El_C 21:52, 9 December 2005 (UTC)

[edit] References

[edit] Uruguay

[edit] Costa Rica


The fact of this highly POV contentious statement being sourced does not legitimise its presence in the article. our duty is NPOV and so this praising Costa Rica opinion has no place in the opening paragraph, SqueakBox 18:26, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Nobody is saying it isn't true but it is not appropriate for the opening paragraph so I have moved it to the top of the culture section, SqueakBox 18:46, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Calling Costa Rica the Switerland of the Americas is not a culture thing. Many Americans who come to Costa Rica also use this term including many travel services. it not a POV its just what it been refered to by others.

Well find somewhere else in the article that is not the opening for it. Trying to compare other American and Central American countries unfavourably with Costa Rica in the opening is pure POV. Please read NPOV, SqueakBox 18:56, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

It has nothing to do with Costa Rican Culture it belongs and i dont believe it violates the NPOV saying that people openly say Costa Rica is more Peaceful then other American Countries because it history proves it.

Yes it does in the opening. People say the US is Satan, does that mean that should go into the opening there. Have you read NPOV? SqueakBox 19:02, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

it doesnt belong in the culture section though and it introuduces a little about how peaceful costa rica is.

Well that is cultural, though I have to say I don't personally believe Costa Rica is either a particularly safe or peaceful country, SqueakBox 19:08, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Just becuase you dont believe it doesnt mean its right sorry. You could be the one saying US is satan. Please you are pretty much admiting that you deleted the qoute in the first place because you dont agree with it. Not becuase of the NPOV. We have creditable sources on this very talk page. You on the other hand are NOT a creditable source.

I said I don't think it is a peaceful country because you said it is, this after I had done my reverts, so your imputation of my motivations is false. I removed it because it is opinion that in the opening paragraph pretends to be fact while showering praise on Costa Rica, but my personal beliefs don't come into it. try reading Wikipedia:Assume good faith, SqueakBox 19:17, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

I have made it clear that I am not disputing that some people think this, but big deal as I say some people think the US is Satan but we dobn't put charged POV statements like this in the opening. Please follow wikipedia policies in how you edit, SqueakBox 19:19, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Your statements are so wishwashy thought You first Delete the statement entirely then when I revert it you put it in another section. Seriously something is up. And just because You dont think its a peaceful country, the Creditable sources at top by El_C dont lie. Seriously looking back at the log now heres what you wrote the first time " (rm contentious statement and untrue statement about political stability) " haha now you say its true it just doesnt belong there. seriously read the talk full of the creditable sources before changing things you dont like to hear.

If you won't argue respectfully I won't bother arguing at all. Please be civil, see Wikipedia:Civility. What has El C got to do with this? (I know what he has to do with you). Costa Rica is not an example of political stability in the region. You said you are trying to promote how peaceful Costa Rica is on this site. Please don't, there are many places you can do that on the web but this is not one of them, SqueakBox 19:32, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

What is your source for saying that "costa rica is not an example of political stability in the region". In Central America Costa Rican history compared to guatemala´s, el savadors´s, honduras, nicaragua, and panama does prove the point: costa rica has been a democratic state since 1948. In the rest of this countries there have been wars, military coups and the like in this period!--Crio de la Paz 23:23, 30 April 2006 (UTC)


The "Centralamerican Switzerland" issue got popularised among costaricans by means of a very popular folk song called "Linda Costa Rica", where it's lyrics state "Por ser tan linda Costa Rica la llaman la Suiza centroamericana" which roughly translates into "for being so beautiful Costa Rica is called the centralamerican Switzerland". This verse is repeated over and over again throughout the song. Another of the verses says "Es Costa Rica la reina del café" (Costa Rica is the queen of coffee", refering of course to the role of coffee as a major export. This very song is thus very patriotic, and of course reflects mostly an idillic Costa Rica. It really shouldn't be taken at face value.

I agree that the claim to costa rica being "la suiza centroamericana" and that stuff shouln´t be taken at face value. It´s a cultural thing, based on this song that has being popular and used in political speaches and such. I do think it has a place here regarding costarican culture and beliefs. The fact is also that this is a point of discussion (even here!) Is costa rica "like" switzerland in any way? what does this really mean? are we (costaricans) really that peaceful? I think this whole thing is important regarding what costa rica is but should be written in a way that is NPOV.--Crio de la Paz 23:23, 30 April 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand why this discussion would go on after the references were posted. Uruguay and Costa Rica have been called the Switzerland of Costa Rica. And...one last thing...Even Wikipedias bylaws state that POV ARE useful, because, Wikipedia is not a dictionary, so the stoic rejection of POV is just not true. I think some of the contributors here have to calm down. Just because they don't ike the facts, doesn't mean they are not true.Manuzel 03:06, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] stability

Please source that people generally think Costa rica is an example opf political stability in the region. Sure in the eighties, but the whole region is stable right now. IMO this is a cheap shot at the other CA countries. Stop trying to add your pro Costa Rica opinions to this article as if they are fact, SqueakBox 19:36, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

You must source your POV. I dopn't need to source it is wrong. Are you listening to what I anm saying. You have provided no argum ents for your stance today and for such an inexperienced editor you seem to be a great edit warrior, SqueakBox 19:40, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

"====Costa Rica====


OMG. Ive have told you just about every time to scroll up! But no you dont do so. Ok! jesus you need to listen more El_C has gotten these Creditable sources. ok? did i really have to put them on here.


Please be civil. No, these only say it is the Switzerland of the Americas, I want a surce that it is generally accepted tha\t Costa Rica is the most political stable copuntry in the region in 2005. Please provide that source, SqueakBox 19:46, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

ok WoW ? seriously that what the "swtierzland of the Americas" means damn it! jesus christ

Once you source your claim that it is currently the most political stable country in the region I will put it back in but I bet you can't source it because it isn't true, though it was probably up till about 10 years ago, as there has been no civil war in the region for since 96, SqueakBox 19:52, 31 December 2005 (UTC)


Are you kidding? wow ignorance... anyway here are a bunch of sources. I'm finding more as this is posted.


http://www.costaricainfo.com/

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cs.html

http://www.immigration-usa.com/wfb2004/costa_rica/costa_rica_economy.html

http://www.businesscostarica.com/

http://www.cocori.com/library/crinfo/nutshel.htm

http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-retirement.html

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107430.html

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761572479/Costa_Rica.html#s1

Only http://www.vivacostarica.com/costa-rica-retirement.html claims it is the most stable country in the region, as would I if was trying to persuade retired Americans to live there. Then others just say it is stable which is very different from making a comparison, SqueakBox 20:06, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

You are not reading correctly then.

Infoplease.com a creitable sources state this "Costa Rica has a reputation as one of the most stable, prosperous, and least corrupt Latin American countries."http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107430.html

http://www.cocori.com/library/crinfo/nutshel.htm "Costa Rica is home to one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. The country has been noted for its friendliness and preoccupation with peace. Its policy of active neutrality has twice earned it the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1987 this prestigious award was presented to then-president of the Republic Dr. Oscar Arias. This, the fact that over a quarter of its territory enjoys protection in the ever-growing network of national parks and reserves, its continued dedication to environmental protection, and many other reasons answer why Costa Rica has repeatedly been referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas."

So trust me i am right

I have now added It is seen as one of the most stable countries in Latin America. in the politics section. Favourable comparisons with other CA countries is unnecessary, SqueakBox 20:12, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

No because if you look at the two sources they state it is the most. and this is why it is refered to as the "switerzland of the Americas" Thats what the title "Switerland of the Americas" mean

As I have said, I am not disputing the switzerland of the Americas statement merely its placing. The only thing you have to credibly source is that it is currently the most stable country in ther region, and even then I would argue it is an unnecessary comparison that insults other CA countries, but you have only sourced that claim with a retirement in Costa Rica ad, which doesn't count, SqueakBox 20:17, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

I believe it is necessary, it shows how stable and peaceful Costa Rica has been in history comapred to its others. http://www.cocori.com/library/crinfo/nutshel.htm "Costa Rica is home to one of the oldest democracies in the Americas. The country has been noted for its friendliness and preoccupation with peace. Its policy of active neutrality has twice earned it the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1987 this prestigious award was presented to then-president of the Republic Dr. Oscar Arias. This, the fact that over a quarter of its territory enjoys protection in the ever-growing network of national parks and reserves, its continued dedication to environmental protection, and many other reasons answer why Costa Rica has repeatedly been referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas." This not a retirement site and states very clearly

And what are you talking about https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cs.html states the same too."Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century,"

http://centralamerica.com/cr/info/"Don Pepe died in 1990 a national hero, his deeds having set the scene for the social and economic progress that would earn Costa Rica the reputation as a peaceful and stable island of democracy in one of the world's most politically unstable, and often war-torn regions"

http://www.intel.com/jobs/costarica/sites/heredia.htm"...politically and economically stable countries in Latin America and is its oldest democracy, with a long-standing democratic tradition and one of the highest education standards in the region. "

This is not the place to either prove what a great country Costa Rica is or that the other CA countries are not so good. That is your POV not encyclopedic material. If you just want top promote CR do so elsewhere, SqueakBox 20:31, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Now i think your just biased because I have shown you plenty of encyclopedic material that states this and you just won't accept it. Which makes sense after reading that you live and have an Honduranian wife.

Your 1990 quote is out of date and you still fail to source the disparaging claims about other CA countries. You have clearly failed to source your claim. You bet I won't accept your claims that disparage Honduras. Why should I? SqueakBox 20:34, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

I don't make opinionated claims about Honduras, and I am wanting you to not make them about CR, SqueakBox 20:36, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

You have sourced that it is considered the switzerland of the Alps and that it is considered politically stable, and both those bits of info are now in the article. What more do you want? Does it have to be the best, the most opeaceful or what? SqueakBox 20:38, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

IMO the quote about CR being a success story with $9,490 average wage is a joke, I wonder what the minimum wage is, clearly high enough to attract Nica workers but not anyone else. The CIA may consider that to be a success story but I think in saying that they are just being patronising, SqueakBox 20:41, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

Yes it should say so. you dont get it i had an exact conflict the other time with the user El_C and im tried of this coming up. I proved my points and its pretty obvious that some of my sources that arent even retirement websites state it. I dont believe it is being biaist if it was to be it would be like "Costa Rica is the most peaceful country in the Americas becuase the rest of Latin America has to many wars" all it stated was that many refered it to as such. And please everything you have said has just been shoved up ur mouth becuase you are speaking with NO SOURCES. I am. like that Igorant qoute right above. PS that GDP is a lot better then all the other central american countries. And it is 200 dollars off of Russias GDP to date

You have not sourced your claims. Give me a cached version with your claim about Costa Rica being better and then you will have sourced it. I don't have to source that your extreme opinion is not true. your gfzailure to source your claims other than with ads is glaring. Stop being juvenile and rude. If that is how you are and you are not willing to change hyou won't last very long here as rude boresd are not tolerated, SqueakBox 20:50, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

You are the one who is acting like this and as i can see from your log many people feel the same way about you. I have given you the sources and now you state that i dont? please. Besides, how am i going to respect you for saying ignorant things about Costa Rica?

Nobody thinks that. Nor have I insulted you but I am willing to take on trolls. You have blatantly insulted me on various occasions, you have been blocked for vandalism, you have made false claims and pretended to be an admin. Now stop insulting me, SqueakBox 20:54, 31 December 2005 (UTC) \ Why revert. Your opinions shouldn't go in the opening. We don't all share your belief CR is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Your arguments ahve failed, your harrassment does nobody any favours and so now you revert back to your opinion. Obviously you care a lot more about CR than you do about wikipedia, very sad, SqueakBox 21:09, 31 December 2005 (UTC)


I do care a lot about Wikipedia that is why im putting this Factual piece of Information up, I'm glad one of the users moved it to more suitable spot thought. So you can not say i dont care about Wikipedia. Now you are putting words into people's mouths. I never said Costa Rica was the most "superior" thing. All I state is what the page used to state before you kept reverting: "Costa Rica is seen as an example of political stability in the region, and is referred to as the "Switzerland of the Americas"." that's all.... nothing about being better than sliced bread.

I am very happy with what is there at the moment. Nothing in the opening paragraph, and the comments aren't implying Costa Rica is the best country in the region. That is all I wanted. Are you happy with what we have? SqueakBox 22:00, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

See here's the difference, that comment has been seen by many other users god knows how many times now, and no one but you has brought atention to it althought they have added to the page lots. I don't honestly think anyone thinks this statement means "Costa Rica is better", neither do I. It's just an important qoutation about what people have said about Costa Ricas history of peace and the abolishment of the army. And I am sorry if I misunderstood you, but since you deleted it entirely the first time I just thought you did because you had not liked it.

Pabloalbv 19:11, 26 January 2006 (UTC)Claims on CR's political stability have an empirical foothold , nevertheless in order not to make any comments that might despise the rest of Central America the title Switzerland of CA must be used with care, also no one in Costa Rica these days considers our country to be a Switzerland. With regards of CR's GDP a good source of first hand information is CR's yearly State of the Nation, a compilation of statistics coupled with analysis of social and economic trends: http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/. With regards of the term "Nica" workers my suggestion of to refrain from making desparaging comments or engage into verbal abuse against Nicaraguans, after all people who fought an alleged "Satan" for a whole decade and prevailed deserve some respect.Pabloalbv 19:11, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

I read through the argument, and I think what the article says now is fine, but I'm not sure why the same bit appears word for word in two locations. History section as well as politics section. Perhaps it is more relevant in one section, and should appear exclusively there, or one section could have it reworded a bit.NewishUser 15:06, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Costa Rica has had a democratic and stable government since 1948, the rest of the central american region hasn´t (there have being wars, military coups, and nondemocratic regimes). I don´t see how stating that within this region Costa Rica has been stable. It does seem POV to me to state that "generally people" believe in this stability. This is a gross generalisation. I think it would be best to state that "some sources have mentioned costa rica as an example of political stability in the central american region". --Crio de la Paz 01:50, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Crio. Stating that Costa Rica is the most stable country in the region is not insulting to the other Centralamerican countries. It's the truth, and insisting otherwise is just anoying reflects a personal subplot. You can even look at the CIA world factbook and they mention that "Costa Rica is a Central American success story"...Could it be that it's because other Central American nations have had a harder time? Stating that one country is good does not mean others are bad. For that matter all Central American nations are relatively stable if you compare them to some african nations, and I think most would agree to that statement. Drop the issue, it's a no brainer.Manuzel 02:51, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Edits speak for themselves

See [1] and [2] -- I think these speak for themselves :-) Let's enjoy the rest of 2005 as we welcome 2006! --HappyCamper 22:49, 31 December 2005 (UTC) Pabloalbv 18:59, 26 January 2006 (UTC)I have added some notes on trade and international policy, is someone wants to take a look at APEC membership or Costa Rica stance on foreign policy you are advised to check the electronic archives of La Nacion newspaper for December 2005 and January 2006: www.nacion.com, pabloalbvPabloalbv 18:59, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Formatting problem

I don't see this behavior in IE, but when viewed using Mozilla this page has serious formatting issues, and I'm not sure how best to address the problem.

To begin, the Foreign Affairs section is missing entirely in Mozilla. It doesn't even appear in the TOC. The only way to see this section in Mozilla is to click the [edit] link that appears to the right of the Flora and Fauna section! In order to edit Flora and Fauna, one must click the [edit] link that appears to be associated with the Demographics section.

All other [edit] links are piled at the bottom of the page like cordwood, instead of being at the top-right of each section, as they should be. I suspect that these problems are at least partially related to the fact that there is a large number of pictures in the Demographics section pushing the [edit] links to the bottom. I'm at work and have already spent more time on this than I can spare. Could some very helpful Wikipedian who knows a great deal about Wiki markup, as it relates to various browsers, take a look at this? Unfortunately, being at work, I have only IE and Mozilla with which to test the article. —CKA3KA (Skazka) 19:01, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Authenticity of Picture of Valle Central de Costa Rica

This picture looks suspiciously like a computer-generated (CGI) landscape. Can someone confirm that it's genuine? Thanks.

210.23.157.78 03:15, 3 March 2006 (UTC)


I'm pretty sure your right (Its CG). Not sure whether or not its a problem though.


Yes, its text actually mentions it's from NASA's Visible Earth program. It's computer-generated and while it's an accurate representation of the topography of the region, it does not belong here amid actual photographs. I have removed it. CGameProgrammer 23:49, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Continuity Amongst Wikipedia Articles?

In this Costa Rica article, it is stated that "Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army." However, in the linked "List of countries without an army" article, in reference to Liechtenstein it is said that they "Abolished their army in 1868 because it was too costly." Later on in the Costa Rica article, it is said that "In 1949, José Figueres Ferrer abolished the army". Obviously, there is discontinuity between these statements; which are correct? 68.52.68.18 02:04, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

OK, I read a little bit about this so I think I can say this...It's true that Lichenblabla dissolved it's army first, but I think there are 2 diferences, which I may be wrong in the first, but am sure about the second. First, Lichenblabla is a a Kingdom/Dutchy/Principality or something of the sort, they are not a democracy, or were not one at the time of abolishing its army. But as I said I'm not so sure about that one.

The second, and I am sure of this, is that beacuse they have no army, they depend on another country for defense. Before WWI they were more friendly to Austria, however with the increasing problems of the Austrian-Hungry Empire leading up to the war, they turned to Switzerland. To this day, Lichenblabla trusts it's national security to the Swiss, who in fact DO have an army, so in some way...They do have an army. In fact there are a number of islands in the South Pacific who also have no army, but rely on old Colonists for their defense. On the other hand Costa Rica has no army and depends on no other foreign army for their protection. So I guess it is trully WITHOUT ARMY.

And I hope somebody can inform me about this, but maybe Lichenblabla pays a certain amount of thier GNP to the Swiss for defense?? Does anybody know this? But anyway, that is why CR is thought to be the first country to abolish it's army. Although it could just be a mistake. Somebody would have to referee if what Lichenblabla actually did in 1868 is a valid abolishment of thier army. Hope it helped.--Manuzel 08:39, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Foreign Affairs question/concern

The last paragraph reads poorly, and makes statements that seem a bit dubious:


Costa Rica's main foreign policy objective is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth. Nevertheless, economic pragmatism may prevail over ideology. For instance, during the Cold War Costa Rica was the first Central American country to have diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union as a way to boost its coffee exports, to the dismay of the Nixon administration.


It is unclear whether the "objective... to foster human rights" is an objective within Costa Rica, or a worldwide objective. If it is worldwide, fine, but if it is only within Costa Rica, it doesn't belong in the foreign affairs section. The bit about "economic pragmatism prevail[ing] over ideology" and then about Costa Rican ties to the Soviet Union during the Cold War doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It means that the "ideology" of fostering human rights and sustainable development was contrary to selling coffee to the Soviet Union. That is either blatantly POV or just plain nonsensical.

In addition, "main foreign objective policy" seems to be referring to the present, whereas the bit about the Soviet Union refers to the past, and "economic pragmatism may prevail" is a statement about what might happen in the future. The author has tied all three together, which doesn't really seem logical.

This paragraph seems to serve no concrete purpose in the article, so if there aren't any objections, I will delete it. NewishUser 03:47, 12 March 2006 (UTC)


Ok, I went ahead and deleted it. I also noticed something some word choice/spelling issues in the following sentence:

The U.S. instead set up such a center in El Salvador, a country alleged to have a tradition of human rights equivocacy.

The word "tradition" doesn't really seem to fit. Also, I wasn't sure what equivocacy meant, so I looked it up and it wasn't a word. Perhaps the author meant "equivocation", but that is not something that can really be alleged. A country either "uses ambiguous language" or doesn't. The accusation seems to be of "human rights violations", and this is why "tradition" doesn't really fit. I believe it should read

The U.S. instead set up such a center in El Salvador, a country alleged to have a history of human rights violations.

Once again, if anyone objects, let me know, otherwise I will change it tomorrow. NewishUser 14:30, 12 March 2006 (UTC)


I'm not sure you want mention of body parts in this article. Someone has been having fun with body humor....

sorry, but what does it matter if costa rica's policies dont line up to the usa. i dont belive it needs to be mentioned.

[edit] Paragraph length and specifics

I deleted the part in the politics that stated that Arias had beat Solis and Guevarra, because I think it's irrelevant to mention such specific information in a general paragraph. Actually the Arias stuff is a little specific, but I left it in for now. It should go on the Oscar Arias Page, not in the Politics of Costa Rica page and even less in the Costa Rica page subsection on politics. The subsections should be general and should give readers a quick idea about Costa Rica, but not the whole story.Manuzel 02:57, 5 May 2006 (UTC) they said oooo what a great place to be There were also other candidates in that election. The reelection thing could be important regarding costarrican politics (it has been a big issue). Politics shuld be rewritten (I might try to work some time to rewrite part of it): here in Costa Rica we elect a president and 2 vicepresidents. The rest of the executive changes a lot every 4 years (i.e. Oscar Arias has named one production minister that will oversee and maybe try to unify the ministry of economics industry and commerce and the ministry of agriculture. There are also some other big changes in the executive branch going on just now). So the cabinet and the number of ministers that conform it changes a lot. (Abel Pacheco even distanced a vicepresident from all of his government!) --Crio de la Paz 23:42, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] A map

The article needs a map of Costa Rica with the major cities. Page Up 16:02, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Is most of the content taken from another source?

Dont wnat to sound like a prude, but is this infomration taken from another source, it looks like it's taken from a USA textbook about costa rica in the manner in which it compares the two countires. GeorgeBuchanan 19:29, 10 June 2006 (UTC)GeorgeBuchanan

[edit] Vandalism

For some reason I can not understand someone placed a picture of slums and had them labeled as "housing", nice try, I am Costa Rican, and to begin with those are not even Costa Rican slums. Whoever you are, refrain from doing that. Do not vandalize this page again (pabloalbv)

Agreed I its been removed already. So yeah its fine now Il put up some pictures of the San Jose and other houses soon hopefully. (FR-Altas 17:19, 4 July 2006 (UTC))

Given the recent number of vandalism attacks on this entry, I'm beginning to think editing should be restricted to those users who are logged in. croll 16:21, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Geography

I eliminated the Volcan Tajublabla and other 3 Guatemala peaks references...Nice try guys, but this is a CR page...Not that I have anything against Guatemala, but obviously somebody wrote it trying to include one countries peaks in anothers...And that is unacceptable because it allows anybody to include their facts...For example...Chirripo is the Highest mountain in CR, although it's 3000 metres smaller than Aconcagua in Argentina/Mount McKinley in Alaska/5000 m less than Everest in Nepal-China/700 m taller than Mt. Fuji in Japan...all true references...but not relevant.--Manuzel 08:56, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Where's the sports?

No mention about popular sports in Costa Rica. I noticed that football (with goals, not touchdowns) is popular there. Perhaps someone with better insight can add a section on Costa Rican sports.

DaDoc540 23:09, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Hmmmm...good point. Maybe a separate article would be better thoughManuzel 02:52, 10 August 2006 (UTC)

Da Doc is right, there is no mention of any popular sports in CR. Maybe we could include a chart with the names of the most important football teams, championships won, city they represent. We may also create a page of Football of Central America mentioning the major teams in the area

Pabloalbv 7:35, 15 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Motto

So what do we call the motto, ¡Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!, or ¡Pura Vida!. I've looked online, and they both seem to be used. -Patstuart 13:09, 3 October 2006 (UTC)


"Pura vida" is not a motto, it's like saying US motto is "Wassup, dude?". Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz is the final line of our National Anthem and it reflects Costaricans will to strive and live in peace. Quidnovi 16:20, 16 December 2006 (UTC) Quidnovi

[edit] General editorial problems

In the section 20th century, the last paragraph looks like the caption to a photograph; it begins "Below: photo of..." or to that effect. Mulp 17:55, 11 October 2006 (UTC)


I was wondering why the English page about Costa Rica and the Spanish page about Costa Rica have different information. For example, the english page saya that Columbus visited Costa Rica on his first trip in 1492. However, the Spanish page says Columbus went there on his fourth trip in 1502 and made the first european contacts with the indigenous people. What is right??

Well that is easy to correct. Columbus' 4th trip was in 1502, so it was definitely 1502 (1492 was his first trip). The english page is wrong.Manuzel 08:26, 30 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Animal Sounds of Costa Rica

I think visitors would enjoy hearing some of the wonderful sounds of the diverse Costa Rican animal kingdom.

REMOVED SPAM FROM TLAK PAGE (as well as rest of wikipedia) --Shakehandsman 05:09, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Columbus expedition

I've changed the mention of the Columbus expedition, as it was in his fourth travel that he arrived at what is today Limón. Thats what we are teached since primary school, anyway when I have a little bit of time I will look for a couple of sources and expand a bit on the conquest period. Not to do it overly long, but to add certain key aspects (the principal conquistadores, Hernandez de Córdoba, etc. the fact that most of the first conquest was done from Panama through the pacific coast and that the hinterland -so-called Central Valley- was settled by spaniards only after the 1560s, much later than most of the region) 201.198.104.118

[edit] Proposed WikiProject on Costa Rica

There now is a proposed WikiProject for Costa Rica at Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Proposals#Costa Rica. Any parties interested in joining should add their names there, and we will see if there is enough support to make this an active project. Thank you for your attention. Badbilltucker 21:53, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Anti-CAFTA Documentary on the links section? POV

Someone put a link to the anti-CAFTA documentary "Costa Rica SA" on the External Links section, under the Government and Administration subsection. I am removing this, since this documentary is not endorsed by the Costa Rican government and only represents certain people's point-of-view.

[edit] Motto of Costa Rica

The motto of Costa Rica: "Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz" is taken directly from the Costa Rican national anthem (Himno Nacional) and means "Long live (or 'hurrah for') work and peace."

Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera expresión de tu vida nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo blanca y pura descansa la paz.
En la lucha tenaz, de fecunda labor que enrojece del hombre la faz, conquistaron tus hijos labriegos sencillos eterno prestigio, estima y honor.
¡Salve, oh tierra gentil! ¡Salve, oh madre de amor! Cuando alguno pretenda tu gloria manchar, verás a tu pueblo valiente y viril, la tosca herramienta en arma trocar.
Salve oh Patria tú pródigo suelo, dulce abrigo y sustento nos da; bajo el límpido azul de tu cielo ¡vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz!

"Live in work and peace" is an erroneous translation. The motto is NOT in the imperative, and if so would have to read:

"Vivan siempre en trabajo y paz"

and without the article "la" in front of "paz." Mkhkoh 19:03, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Geography Section.

So, on the main page under the geography section it says "people in costa rica poop alot." Could someone who knows how to use this please remove that?

[edit] Review

Please check the parragraph on Oscar Arias and the TLC. It's full of errors. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 149.169.11.192 (talk) 00:17, 26 February 2007 (UTC).

IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT COSTA RICAN ARCHITECTUR THAT WOULD BE A BIG HELP!Thanx a lot and yes I know its in the wrong section but i didn't know where to put it.

[edit] No Tourism Section???

costa rica being the main central american tourist destination and why not add a tourist section when this country is known for their extreme beauty and beautiful country?Bacanaleranica

The risk is writing the section in a way that doesn't turn into an advertisement. Regardless, it's a huge part of the economy (largest single portion?) and would be a worth addition to the article IMO. croll 14:57, 8 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Add El Semanario to list of new sources

I feel that the University of Costa Rica newspaper El Semanario should be added to the list of news sources. It is prominent and offers a different viewpoint from some of the mainstream news sources.

here is the link http://www.semanario.ucr.ac.cr/

Sarahs1024 05:01, 8 March 2007 (UTC)Sarahs1024

[edit] Geography: List of Rivers

I'd like to see a list of rivers of Costa Rica. Shall i just start one, under the Geography section? Thanks naomi 19:19, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

Yes, good idea, SqueakBox 19:27, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Typos in Costa Rica article

There are two typos of the same word in the article about Costa Rica (english version.) Under the "Politics" header, 4th paragraph reads "...each directed by a major. Majors are choosen..." The word "major" is used instead of the correct "mayor"

I am not allowed to fix this error and appreciate it if someone could help correct this "minor" error.

get it-

Thank you, Amuniz78

I've never wriiten here before so in case you need proof - Major and mayor are homophones meaning that they sound alike but have different meanings.

The definition of the word mayor is 1. the chief executive official, usually elected, of a city, village, or town. 2. the chief magistrate of a city or borough.

whereas major is generally used to refer to a position in the military 1. a commissioned military officer ranking next below a lieutenant colonel and next above a captain. 2. one of superior rank, ability, etc., in a specified class.

source: www.dictionary.com

--Amuniz78 02:51, 26 March 2007 (UTC)

Done with the major / Mayor correction Elegarth 22:56, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Requesting a source

"It is also the only country in which both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans can be seen from the same point." Does anyone have a source for this? I would delete it, but i simply don't know whether its true or not. LaNicoya 05:05, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

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