Why Costa Rica?

This is a small country with an official population of approximately 4.5 million. It is estimated that up to an additional 1 million illegal immigrants are also in the country seasonally, mostly from neighboring Nicaragua. Citizens and immigrants alike are provided with full health care and schooling. This is a peaceful nation whose Army was disbanded in 1948 and has never been re-established. Guns are rare as is hunting due to the overwhelming love that Ticos have for wildlife and nature. Costa Rica has a stable Democracy which has been an example to neighboring countries for generations. While neighbors have struggled with dictatorships and civil wars, Costa Rica has lived at peace with itself and those surrounding countries.

Education is provided for all residents of Costa Rica and is considered good by Central American standards. Children ages 5-15 must attend school which is a good reason that Ticos are 96% literate. To eliminate obvious economic differences among those with money and those without, students are required to wear the same school uniforms allowing all children to be equal at least in dress while at school.

Costa Rica has thirty-four percent (34%!) of its land “protected” to ensure safeguards for its unique rain and cloud forests and its diverse abundance of wildlife (this would roughly be the equivalent of our nation declaring all land east of the Mississippi River to be National Forest.)This fact alone speaks all the words necessary as to the Tico devotion to their country, their love of nature and their role as a responsible brother in the world community. Revenues from
their new and growing eco-tourism industry not only provide jobs for the population but produce enough “profit” so as to guarantee that these lands remain protected and a future inheritance to its citizens and the world.

Finally, why Costa Rica? Why not?