Costa Rica and Lincoln County, Mississippi: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 11:04, 18 July 2007

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{{Infobox U.S. County|

{{citations missing|date=March 2007}}

county = Lincoln County |

state = Mississippi |

{{Infobox Country or territory

seal = |

|conventional_long_name = Republic of Costa Rica

map = Map of Mississippi highlighting Lincoln County.png |

|common_name = Costa Rica

map size = 150 |

|image_flag = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg

founded = [[1870]] |

|image_coat = Costa Rica COA.svg

seat = [[Brookhaven, Mississippi|Brookhaven]] |

|image_map = LocationCostaRica.svg

area = 1,523 [[km²]] (588 [[square mile|mi²]]) |

|national_motto = ''"Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz"''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Spanish language|Spanish]])<br/>"May Work And Peace Live Forever"</small>

area land = 1,517 km² (586 mi²) |

|national_anthem = ''[[Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>(Spanish)<br/>''Noble homeland, your beautiful flag''</small>

area water = 6 km² (2 mi²) |

|official_languages = [[Spanish language|Spanish]]

area percentage = 0.42% |

|capital = [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]]

census yr = 2000|

|latd=9 |latm=56 |latNS=N |longd=84 |longm=5 |longEW=W

pop = 33,166 |

|largest_city = San Jose

density = 22 |

|government_type = Democratic republic

web = |

|leader_title1 = [[President of Costa Rica|President]]

|}}

|leader_name1 = [[Óscar Arias]]

'''Lincoln County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Mississippi]]. As of 2000, the population was 33,166. It is named in honor of the 16th [[President]] of the United States, [[Abraham Lincoln]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Brookhaven, Mississippi|Brookhaven]][[Geographic references|⁶]].

|area_rank = 129th

|area_magnitude = 1 E10

|area = 51,100

|areami² = 19,725 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|percent_water = 0.7

|population_estimate = 4,327,000

|population_estimate_rank = 119th

|population_estimate_year = 2005

|population_census = 2006

|population_census_year =

|population_density = 85

|population_densitymi² = 220 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->

|population_density_rank = 10th

|GDP_PPP = $48.77 billion

|GDP_PPP_rank = 84th

|GDP_PPP_year = 2006

|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $12,000

|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 62nd

|Gini = 49.9

|Gini_year = 2001

|Gini_category = <font color="#e0584e">high</font>

|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]

|established_event1 = {{nowrap|from [[Spain]] (via [[Mexico]])}}

|established_date1 = [[September 15]] [[1821]]

|established_event2 = from the [[Central American Federation|UPCA]]

|established_date2 = [[1838]]

|HDI = {{increase}} 0.841

|HDI_rank = 48th

|HDI_year = 2005

|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font>

|HPI = 8th

|HPI_year = 2004

|currency = [[Costa Rican colón]]

|currency_code = CRC

|country_code =

|time_zone =

|utc_offset = -6

|time_zone_DST =

|utc_offset_DST =

|cctld = [[.cr]]

|calling_code = 506

|footnotes =

}}

'''Costa Rica''' (literally "Rich Coast"), officially the '''Republic of Costa Rica''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Costa Rica'' or ''República de Costa Rica'', [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: {{IPA|[re'puβlika ðe 'kosta 'rika]}}), is a country in [[Central America]], bordered by [[Nicaragua]] to the north, [[Panama]] to the south-southeast, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west and south, and the [[Caribbean Sea]] to the east. Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally [[Military of Costa Rica|abolish its army]].

==History==

{{main|History of Costa Rica}}

In [[Pre-Columbian]] times the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous people]], in what is now known as Costa Rica, were part of the [[Intermediate Area]] located between the [[Mesoamerican]] and [[Andean]] cultural regions. This has recently been updated to include the influence of the [[Isthmo-Colombian]] area.

It was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met. The northwest of the country, the [[Nicoya Peninsula]], was the southernmost point of [[Nahuatl]] (named after Nitin) cultural influence when the Spanish invaders ([[conquistadores]]) came in the [[16th century|sixteenth century]]. The center and southern portions of the country had [[Chibcha]] influences. However, the indigenous people have influenced modern Costa Rican [[culture]] to a relatively small degree, as most of the Indians died from [[disease]] and mistreatment by the [[Spaniard]]s.

During Spanish Colonial times, the principal city in [[Central America]] was [[Guatemala City]]. Costa Rica's distance from this hub was one of the reasons that Costa Ricans developed in relative isolation and with little oversight from the Spanish Monarchy ("The Crown"). While this isolation allowed the [[colony]] to develop free of intervention by The Crown, it also contributed to its failure to share in the prosperity of the Colonies, making Costa Rica the poorest Spanish Colony in [[Central America]]. Another contributing factor to this poverty was lack of indigenous peoples to use for [[slave labor]]. While Many [[Spaniard]]s in the other colonies had slaves to work their land, many Costa Rican settlers had to work their own land. For all these reasons, Costa Rica was by and large unappreciated and overlooked by the Crown, and left to develop on its own. It is believed that the circumstances during this period led to the formation of many of the idiosyncrasies that Costa Rica has become known for, while at the same time setting the stage for Costa Rica's development as a more egalitarian society than the rest of its neighbors. Later, when Central America would gain its independence from [[Spain]], Costa Rica's isolation would be a major reason for the breakup of the isthmus into the smaller states that exist today.

Costa Rica's membership in the newly formed United States of [[Central America]], now free of Spanish Rule, was short lived. The distance from [[Guatemala City]] to the Central Plateau of Costa Rica, where most of the population lived and still lives, was great. The local population had little allegiance to government in [[Guatemala City]], in part because of the history of isolation during Colonial times. Costa Rica's disinterest in participating as a [[province]] in a greater Central American Government was one of the deciding factors in the break-up of the fledgling federation into independent states, which still exist today. However, all of the Central American Nations still celebrate September 15th as their independence day, which pertains to the independence of [[Central America]] from [[Spain]].

Most Caribbean Costa Ricans of African ascent descend from [[Jamaica]]n workers (not slaves) brought in during the [[19th century|nineteenth century]] to work in the [[construction]] of [[railway]]s connecting the urban populations of the [[Central Plateau]] to the port of [[Limon]] on the Caribbean coast. The construction of the [[railways]] was funded by the [[United Fruit Company]], in exchange for land. This led to a major economic shift in the nation, in which fruit would come to rival the coffee trade as a major Costa Rican [[export]].

During the nineteenth century, [[Italian people|Italian]] and [[Chinese people|Chinese]] [[immigrant]]s came to the country to work on the construction of the railroad system as well.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 1,523 [[km²]] (588 [[square mile|mi²]]). 1,517 km² (586 mi²) of it is land and 6 km² (2 mi²) of it (0.42%) is water.

[[Image:Cataract on the Rio Savegre.jpg|thumb|right|250px|On the Río Savegre, just below San Gerardo de Dota in the Talamanca Mountains of Costa Rica.]]

[[Image:Irazu Crater.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The crater of Volcán Irazú, an active volcano near Cartago, Costa Rica]]

{{main|Geography of Costa Rica}}

Costa Rica is located on the Central American [[isthmus]], 10° North of the [[equator]] and 84° West of the [[Prime Meridian]]. It borders both the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the [[Pacific Ocean|North Pacific Ocean]] (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometres (802&nbsp;[[mile|mi]]) of coastline (212&nbsp;km / 132&nbsp;mi on the Caribbean coast and 1,016&nbsp;km / 631&nbsp;mi on the Pacific). It is about the size of West Virginia.

===Major Highways===

Costa Rica also borders [[Nicaragua]] to the north (309&nbsp;km / 192&nbsp;mi of border) and [[Panama]] to the south-southeast (639&nbsp;km / 397&nbsp;mi of border). In total, Costa Rica comprises 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 [[square mile|sq.&nbsp;mi]]) plus 589.000 square kilometers of [[territorial waters]].

*[[Image:I-55.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 55]]

*[[Image:US 51.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 51]]

*[[Image:US 84.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 84]]

===Adjacent Counties===

The highest point in the country is [[Cerro Chirripó]], with 3,810 [[metre]]s (12,500&nbsp;[[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]), and is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the [[Irazú Volcano]] (3,431&nbsp;m / 11,257&nbsp;ft). The largest lake in Costa Rica is [[Lake Arenal]].

*[[Copiah County, Mississippi|Copiah County]] (north)

*[[Lawrence County, Mississippi|Lawrence County]] (east)

*[[Walthall County, Mississippi|Walthall County]] (southeast)

*[[Pike County, Mississippi|Pike County]] (south)

*[[Amite County, Mississippi|Amite County]] (southwest)

*[[Franklin County, Mississippi|Franklin County]] (west)

*[[Jefferson County, Mississippi|Jefferson County]] (northwest)

==Demographics==

Costa Rica also comprises several islands. [[Cocos Island]] stands out because of its distance from continental landmass (24&nbsp;km² / 9.25&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi, 500&nbsp;km or 300&nbsp;mi from [[Puntarenas]] coast), but [[Calero Island]] is the biggest island of the country (151.6&nbsp;km² / 58.5&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi).

{{USCensusPop

|1870= 10184

|1880= 13547

|1890= 17912

|1900= 21552

|1910= 28597

|1920= 24652

|1930= 26357

|1940= 27506

|1950= 27899

|1960= 26759

|1970= 26198

|1980= 30174

|1990= 30278

|2000= 33166

|estyear=[[2006]]

|estimate=34404

}}

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 33,166 people, 12,538 households, and 9,190 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 22/km² (57/mi²). There were 14,052 housing units at an average density of 9/km² (24/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 69.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 29.67% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.17% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.37% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 12,538 households out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.

Costa Rica protects over 25% of its national territory within the [[List_of_Conservation_Areas_of_Costa_Rica|Protected Areas system]]. It also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.&nbsp;[http://www.inbio.ac.cr/es/biod/estrategia/estudio.html]

In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.

==Politics==

{{main|Politics of Costa Rica}}

Costa Rica is a democratic [[republic]] with a strong [[constitution]]. Although there are claims that the country has had more than 115 years of uninterrupted democracy, their [[presidential election]] history shows otherwise (see [[List of Presidents of Costa Rica]]). Nonetheless, the country has had at least fifty-nine years of uninterrupted democracy, which is by far the longest in Latin America. It is one of the most stable countries in Latin America. Costa Rica has avoided the [[violence]] that has plagued Central America; it is seen as an example of [[political stability]] in the region.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,279, and the median income for a family was $33,552. Males had a median income of $29,060 versus $18,877 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,961. About 16.00% of families and 19.20% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.80% of those under age 18 and 17.10% of those age 65 or over.

Executive responsibilities are vested in a [[List of Presidents of Costa Rica|president]], who is the country's center of power. There also are two [[vice president]]s as well as a [[cabinet]] designated by the [[president]]. The president, vice presidents, and fifty-seven [[Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica|Legislative Assembly]] [[delegate]]s are elected for four-year terms. A [[constitutional amendment]] approved in [[1969]] limited presidents and delegates to one term, although delegates were allowed to run again for an Assembly seat after sitting out a term.

== Miscellany ==

In [[April]] [[2003]], the constitutional ban on presidential re-election was reversed, allowing [[Óscar Arias]] ([[Nobel Peace Prize]] laureate, [[1987]]) to run for President for a second term. In [[2006]], [[Óscar Arias]] was re-elected in tight and highly contested elections, running on a platform of promoting [[free trade]]. He took office on [[May 8]], 2006. On [[June 16]], 2006, he met [[Pope Benedict XVI]] at the [[Vatican]].&nbsp;[http://www.catholicpressphoto.com/servizi/2006-06-16-presidente-costa-rica/default.htm]

Lincoln County is home to an above-average number of millionaires. [[MCI Worldcom]] CEO and founder [[Bernard Ebbers]] resided near Brookhaven prior to his conviction in the scandal that collapsed the company.

Lincoln County is served by the newspaper [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1377 ''Daily Leader''], printed daily except Saturday.

Other current political issues include security, crime, and the limiting of large-scale immigration of people from Nicaragua.

The seven provinces are divided into 81 corners ("cantón" in Spanish, plural "cantones"), each directed by a mayor. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by each corner's people. There are no provincial [[legislature]]s. Autonomous state agencies enjoy considerable operational independence; they include the [[telecommunications]] and [[electrical power]] [[monopoly]], the nationalized [[commercial bank]]s, the state [[insurance]] monopoly, and the [[social security]] agency. Costa Rica has no military by constitution but maintains domestic [[police force]]s for internal [[security]].

The county is served by two separate public school districts, a private school, and a couple of smaller Christian schools. The Lincoln County School District consists of four K-12 schools. These include Loyd Star, Bogue Chitto, West Lincoln and Enterprise. The Brookhaven City Schools serve those children within the city limits of Brookhaven.

{{seealso|Military of Costa Rica}}

== Officers ==

==Provinces and cantons==

The [[Board of Supervisors]] of Lincoln County currently (June 2006) has the following members:

[[Image:OfficialAdministrativeDivisionOfCostaRica.svg|thumb|right|250px|Provinces of Costa Rica.]]

* District 1: Rev. Jerry Wilson (vice-president)

{{main|Provinces of Costa Rica|Cantons of Costa Rica}}

* District 2: Bobby J. Watts

Costa Rica is divided into 7 [[Provinces of Costa Rica|provinces]]:

* District 3: Nolan Earl Williamson

{| class="wikitable"

* District 4: Doug Moak

| 1. ||width="85px"| [[San José Province|San José]]

* District 5: Gary Walker (president)

|style="font-size:90%;"| Political, technological and economical center of Costa Rica.

|-

| 2. || [[Alajuela Province|Alajuela]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| Central and north of capital [[San Jose, Costa Rica|San José]]; agriculture and industrial manufacturing.

|-

| 3. || [[Cartago Province|Cartago]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| Former colonial capital.

|-

| 4. || [[Heredia Province|Heredia]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| Central and north of capital; industrial manufacturing.

|-

| 5. || [[Guanacaste Province|Guanacaste]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| North-west; important tourist and agricultural area.

|-

| 6. || [[Puntarenas Province|Puntarenas]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| Reaches along most of Costa Rica's Pacific coast.

|-

| 7. || [[Limón Province|Limón]]

|style="font-size:90%;"| On Caribbean coast; agricultural and eco-tourism area.

|}

The offices of president and vice-president rotate annually.

The provinces are further divided into [[Cantons of Costa Rica|cantons]].

==Economy Communities ==

*'''Cities'''

[[Image:Metalchurchingreciacostarica.jpg|thumb|250px|Metal church in [[Grecia]], Costa Rica.]]

**[[Brookhaven, Mississippi|Brookhaven]]

[[Image:Oldchurchcartagocostarica.jpg|thumb|250px|Old cathedral in Cartago, Costa Rica.]]

{{main|Economy of Costa Rica}}

In recent times [[electronics]], [[pharmaceuticals]], financial outsourcing, software development and [[ecotourism]], have become the prime industries in Costa Rica's [[economy]]. High levels of [[education]] among its residents make the country an attractive [[investing]] ___location.

*'''Unincorporated places'''

The economy has been expanding for Costa Rica in part because the Government had implemented a seven-year plan of [[expansion]] in the [[high tech]] industry. The central government offers [[tax exemption]]s for those who are willing to invest in the country. Several global high tech corporations have already started developing in the area [[exporting]] goods including chip manufacturer [[Intel]], pharmaceutical company [[GlaxoSmithKline]], and consumer products company [[Procter & Gamble]]. Trade with [[South East Asia]] and [[Russia]] has boomed during [[2004]] and [[2005]], and the country is expected to obtain full [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum]] (APEC) membership by [[2007]] (the country became an observer in 2004).

**[[Auburn, Mississippi|Auburn]]

**[[Bogue Chitto, Lincoln County, Mississippi|Bogue Chitto]]

**[[Ruth, Mississippi|Ruth]]

*'''Ghost towns'''

For the [[fiscal year]] 2005, the country showed a government [[deficit]] of 2.1%, [[internal revenue]] increased an 18%, exports increased a 12.8% and the number of visiting tourists increased a 19%, reaching 1.5 million people. Revised economic figures released by the [[Central Bank]] indicate that [[economic growth]] stood at 5%, nevertheless the country faced high [[inflation]] (14%) and a [[trade deficit]] of 5.2%. For [[2006]] the economy is expected to grow a 6.8%

**[[Woolworth, Mississippi|Woolworth]]

== See also ==

The unit of [[currency]] is the [[Costa Rican colón|colón]] ([[CRC]]), which trades around 518 [http://www.bancobcr.com/] to the [[United States dollar|U.S. dollar]]; currently about 675 to the [[euro]]. On [[October 16]], 2006, a new [[currency exchange]] system was introduced, allowing the value of the CRC colón to float between two bands as done previously by [[Chile]]. The idea is that by doing so the Central Bank will be able to better tackle inflation and discourage the use of US dollars. Since that time, the value of the colon against the dollar has stabilized.

*[[Dry counties]]

{{Mississippi}}

Costa Rica's ___location provides easy access to American markets as it has the same [[time zone]] as the central part of the United States and direct ocean access to [[Europe]] and [[Asia]].

{{coord|31.54|-90.45|display=title|type:adm2_region:US-MS_source:UScensus1990}}

==Foreign affairs==

Costa Rica is an active member of the [[United Nations]] and the [[Organization of American States]]. Costa Rica holds a seat on the [[Inter-American Court of Human Rights]] and on the [[United Nations University of Peace]] and many other international organizations related to [[human rights]] and [[democracy]].

Costa Rica's main [[foreign policy]] objective is to foster human rights and sustainable development as a way to secure stability and growth.

Costa Rica is also a member of the [[International Criminal Court]], without a [[Bilateral Immunity Agreement]] of protection for the [[United States|US]]-military (as covered under [[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court|Article 98]]).

==Flora and fauna==

[[Image:Anhinga b.jpg|left|thumb|An [[anhinga]] drying its feathers.]]

{{seealso|Wildlife of Costa Rica|List of birds of Costa Rica}}

Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of [[plant]]s and [[animal]]s. While the country has only about 0.1% of the world's landmass, it contains 5% of the world's [[biodiversity]]. Over 25% of Costa Rica is composed of protected [[forest]]s and reserves.

One national park that is internationally-renowned among [[ecology|ecologists]] for its biodiversity (including big cats and [[tapirs]]) and where visitors can expect to see an abundance of wildlife is the [[Corcovado National Park]].

Tortuguero National Park &ndash; the name ''Tortuguero'' can be translated as "Full of turtles" &ndash; is home to [[Spider monkey|spider]], [[Howler monkey|howler]] and [[white-throated Capuchin]] monkeys, the [[three-toed sloth]], 320 species of birds (including eight species of [[parrot]]s), a variety of [[reptile]]s, but is mostly recognized for the annual nesting of the endangered green turtle and is considered the most important nesting site for this species. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve hosts two thousand plant species, including numerous [[orchid]]s. Over four hundred types of [[bird]]s can be found here, and over one hundred species of [[mammal]]s. As a whole, around eight hundred species of birds have been identified in Costa Rica. The [http://www.inbio.ac.cr/es/default.html Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad] (INBIO) is allowed to collect royalties on any biological discoveries of medical importance.

[[Image:Costa Rica passerine.jpg|thumb|Clay-colored Robin]]

Costa Rica's national bird is the [[Clay-colored Robin]].

==Demographics==

{{main|Demographics of Costa Rica}}

In 2005, Costa Rica had an estimated population of 4.43 million people. The majority of people in Costa Rica are descended from Spanish settlers. In contrast to its neighboring countries' populations, little mixing of the Spanish settlers and the indigenous populations occurred. Therefore, a vast majority of Costa Ricans are either of [[Spanish people|Spanish]] or to a lesser extent of mixed mestizo heritage. In addition, there are significant numbers of Costa Ricans of [[Italy|Italian]], [[Germany|German]], [[Jewish]], and [[Poland|Polish]] descent. Together, European and Mestizos descendants make up a full 94% of the population. Just under 3% of the population is of black African descent who are called [[Afro-Costa Ricans]] and are English-speaking descendants of nineteenth century black [[Jamaican]] immigrant workers. Another 1% is composed of [[Overseas Chinese|ethnic Chinese]].

As of today, the indigenous population numbers around 1.7%, or around 50,000 individuals. In [[Guanacaste Province]], a significant portion of the population descends from a mix of local Amerindians, Africans and Spaniards. There is also an [[expatriate]] community of people of all ages from the [[United States]], [[Canadians|Canada]], [[Germans|Germany]], [[Dutch people|Netherlands]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]], and other countries. There are also many Nicaraguan workers.

[[Christianity]] is a major religion in Costa Rica. Some 92% of Costa Ricans are Christian&nbsp;[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cs.html#People] and like many other parts of Latin America, [[Protestant]] denominations have been experiencing rapid growth. However, three in four Costa Ricans still adhere to [[Roman Catholicism]]. Due to small but recent immigration from Asia, the [[Middle East]], and other places, other religions have grown, the most popular being Buddhism (due to an increasing Chinese community of 40,000), and smaller numbers of [[Jewish]], [[Muslim]], and [[Hindu]] adherents.

==Culture==

[[Image:Teatro National de Costa Rica - inside.jpg|thumb|250px|Inside of the [[Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica]], the Costa Rican national theatre.]]

{{main|Culture of Costa Rica}}

Costa Ricans often refer to themselves as ''[[tico]]'' (masculine) or ''tica'' (feminine). "Tico" comes from the popular local usage of "tico" and "tica" as diminutive suffixes (e.g., "momentico" instead of "momentito"). The ''tico'' ideal is that of a very friendly, helpful, laid back, unhurried, educated and environmentally aware people. Visitors from the United States are often referred to as ''gringos'', which is virtually always congenial in nature. The phrase "''Pura Vida''" (literally "Pure Life") is a ubiquitous motto in Costa Rica. It encapsulates the pervading ideology of living in peace in a calm, unclustered manner, appreciating a life surrounded by nature and family and friends.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}

Some might use ''maje'' or ''mae'' (''maje'' means "guy/dumb") to refer to each other, although this might be perceived as slightly insulting to those of an older generation. Costa Rican traditions and culture tend to retain a strong degree of Spanish influence. Their spoken accent is rather different than its Central American counterparts. "''-ito''" or "''-ita''" are added to many words to make them sound more polite and courteous.

Costa Rica boasts a varied history.Costa Rica was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met. The northwest of the country, the Nicoya peninsula, was the southernmost point of [[Nahuatl]] cultural influence when the Spanish conquerors ([[conquistadores]]) came in the sixteenth century. The center and southern portions of the country had [[Chibcha]] influences. However, the indigenous people have influenced modern Costa Rican culture to a relatively small degree, as most of the Indians died from disease and mistreatment by the Spaniards.

The Atlantic coast, meanwhile, was populated with African workers during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Most Caribbean Costa Ricans of African descent, however, derive from nineteenth-century [[Jamaica]]n workers, brought in to work on the construction of railroads between the urban populations of the Central Plateau and the port of [[Limon]] on the Caribbean coast. Italian and Chinese immigrants also arrived at this time to work on the railroad construction.

==Education==

{{main|Education in Costa Rica}}

The literacy rate in Costa Rica is of 96% (CIA World Factbook, February 2007), one of the highest in Latin America. Elementary and high schools are found throughout the country in practically every community. Universal public education is guaranteed in the Constitution. Primary education is obligatory, and both preschool and high school are free. There are both state and private universities. Ty is black and has no idea what he is talking about. I agree with myself.

==See also==

{{columns |width=230px

|col1 =

*[[Afro Costa Rican]]

*[[Central America]]

*[[Climate of Costa Rica]]

*[[Communications in Costa Rica]]

*[[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica national soccer team]]

*[[Cuisine of Costa Rica]]

*[[Culture of Costa Rica]]

*[[Demographics of Costa Rica]]

|col2 =

*[[Economy of Costa Rica]]

*[[Education in Costa Rica]]

*[[Foreign relations of Costa Rica]]

*[[Geography of Costa Rica]]

*[[History of Costa Rica]]

*[[List of Presidents of Costa Rica]]

*[[List of universities in Costa Rica]]

*[[Media of Costa Rica]]

*[[Military of Costa Rica]]

|col3 =

*[[Museums of Costa Rica]]

*[[Music of Costa Rica]]

*[[Politics of Costa Rica]]

*[[Rail transport in Costa Rica]]

*[[Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica|Scouting and Guiding in Costa Rica]]

*[[South America]]

*[[Transportation in Costa Rica]]

*[[Water supply and sanitation in Costa Rica]]

}}

==External links==

{{Commons|Costa Rica}}

*{{dmoz|Regional/Central_America/Costa_Rica}}

*[http://www.forodecostarica.com ForodeCostaRica] Republic of Costa Rica Online Forum

*[http://www.grandhotelcostarica.com The Gran Hotel Costa Rica] Costa Rican Landmark

* [http://www.ecored.net/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=7 Environmental News from Costa Rica] {{es_icon}}

*[http://www.gyotakufishprints.com/costa-rica-photos.html Costa Rica Photo Gallery]

; Government and administration

* [http://www.casapres.go.cr Casa Presidencial] {{es_icon}} Official presidential site.

* [http://www.inbio.ac.cr/en/default.html Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad], National Biodiversity Institute.

* [http://www.mep.go.cr/DescargasHTML/AsesoriaEstudiosSociales/constituciones18211949.doc Las Constituciones De Costa Rica De 1821-1949] {{es_icon}} Costa Rican Constitution

; National anthem lyrics

* [http://historia.fcs.ucr.ac.cr/hcostarica/utilidades/letrashimnos.htm Himno Nacional de Costa Rica] {{es_icon}} National Anthem Lyrics

; Travel & tourism

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* {{wikitravel|Costa Rica}}

* [http://www.visitcostarica.com/ Instituto Costarricense de Turismo], Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=90455 Ethnologue Report], Chibchan Language Trees

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[[Category:Mississippi counties]]

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[[Category:CostaLincoln RicaCounty, Mississippi| ]]

[[Category:Central American countries]]

[[Category:Former Spanish colonies]]

[[Category:Spanish-speaking countries]]

[[de:Lincoln County (Mississippi)]]

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[[lmo:Lincoln County, Mississippi]]

[[ar:كوستاريكا]]

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[[an:Costa Rica]]

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[[az:Kosta Rika]]

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[[bo:ཁོ་ས་ཏ་རི་ཁ]]

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[[ko:코스타리카]]

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[[zh:哥斯达黎加]]