<text><span class="style42"></span><span class="style12">COSTA RICA</span><span class="style14"></span><span class="style42">Official name:</span><span class="style13"> República de Costa Rica (The Republic of Costa Rica)</span><span class="style42">Member of: </span><span class="style13">UN, OAS, CACM</span><span class="style42">Area: </span><span class="style13">51100 km2 (19730 sq mi)</span><span class="style42">Population: </span><span class="style13">3200000 (1993 est)</span><span class="style42">Capital: </span><span class="style13">San José 1040000 (city 303000; 1990 est)</span><span class="style42">Other major cities: </span><span class="style13">Limon 51000,</span><span class="style42"> </span><span class="style13">Alajuela 45000 (1990 est)</span><span class="style42">Language: </span><span class="style13">Spanish (official)</span><span class="style42">Religion: </span><span class="style13">Roman Catholic (official)</span><span class="style42">GOVERNMENT</span><span class="style13">Executive power is vested in the President, who appoints a Cabinet of Ministers. The President and the 57-member Legislative Assembly are elected for four-year terms by compulsory universal adult suffrage.</span><span class="style42">GEOGRAPHY</span><span class="style13">Between a narrow plain on the Pacific coast and a wider plain along the Caribbean coast rise a central plateau and mountain ranges whose highest point is Chirripó Grande at 3820 m (12533 ft). </span><span class="style42">Climate: </span><span class="style13">Rainfall is heavy along the Caribbean coast, but the Pacific coast is drier. Temperatures are warm in the lowlands, cooler in the highlands. </span><span class="style42">ECONOMY</span><span class="style13">Coffee is Costa Rica’s major export. Bananas, sugar cane, beef cattle, cocoa and timber are also important. </span><span class="style42">Currency: </span><span class="style13">Costa Rican colon.</span><span class="style42">HISTORY</span><span class="style13">Columbus reached Costa Rica during his final voyage in 1502. The area was under Spanish rule – as part of Guatemala – until 1821. Although it was part of the Central American Federation (1823–38), Costa Rica developed largely in isolation from its neighbors. Dominated by small farms, Costa Rica prospered, attracted European immigrants and developed a stable democracy. Following a brief civil war in 1948, the army was disbanded. Costa Rica has since adopted the role of peacemaker in Central America.</span></text>