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OverviewCosta Rica is a Central
American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods
of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely
agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living.
Land ownership is widespread. Tourism is a rapidlyexpanding industry.
History: Human habitation can
be traced back more than 10,000 years but it appears Costa Rica was sparsely
populated and a relativebackwater in the pre-Columbian era. There is little
sign of major communities and none of the impressive stone architecture
that characterized the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica to the
north and the Andes to the south. When Columbus arrived near Lim¢n
on September 18, 1502 on his third and last voyage to the Americas, there
were probably no more than 20,000 indigenous inhabitants They lived in
several autonomous tribes, all with distinct cultures and customs. Costa
Rica's only major archaeological site is at Guayabo, 30 miles east of San
Jos‚, where an ancient city, dating back to 1000 B.C. and though
to have contained 10,000 people at its peak, is currently being excavated.
Many interesting gold, jade and pottery artefacts have been found
throughout the region and are on display in several museums in San Jose.
Star
Player: FONSECA RolandoHuman habitation can be traced back more than
10,000 years but it appears Costa Rica was sparsely populated and a relative
backwater in the pre-Columbian era.
There is little sign of major communities and none of the impressive stone
architecture
that characterized the more advanced
civilizations of Mesoamerica to the north and the Andes to the south. When
Columbus
arrived near Lim¢n on September
18, 1502 on his third and last voyage to the Americas, there were probably
no more than
20,000 indigenous inhabitants They
lived in several autonomous tribes, all with distinct cultures and customs.
Costa Rica's
only major archaeological site is
at Guayabo, 30 miles east of San Jos‚, where an ancient city, dating back
to 1000 B.C. and
though to have contained 10,000 people
at its peak, is currently being excavated. Many interesting gold, jade
and pottery
artefacts have been found throughout
the region and are on display in several museums in San Jose.
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