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2002 census recorded a population of 3.85 million, more than half
of whom live in the Central Valley. Fifty-one percent of the nation's
population is classed as urban. The most attractive areas of settlement
in the past 35 years have been on the Nicoya lowlands on the drier
part of the Pacific coast, on the northern lowlands, and on the
alluvial soils of the Valle de El General in the south. The border
between Panama and Costa Rica is now quite densely settled, with
colonists from Italy as well as the Meseta Central grafted onto
the local population. Though comparatively wealthy compared to
most Latin American countries, by developed-world standards most
Costa Ricans are poor (the average income is about US$3000 per
annum).
 Costa
Rica is unquestionably the most homogeneous of Central American
nations in race as well as social class. Travelers familiar with
other Central American nations will immediately notice the contrast:
the vast majority of Costa Ricans look predominantly European.
The 1989 census classified 98% of the population as "white"
or "mestizo," and less than two percent as "black"
or "Indian." Costa Rica's approximately 40,000 black
people are the nation's largest minority. For many years they
were the target of racist immigration and residence laws that
restricted them to the Caribbean coast. Hence, they remained isolated
from national culture. Most blacks today trace their ancestry
back to the 10,000 or so Jamaicans hired by Minor Keith to build
the Atlantic Railroad, and to later waves of immigrants who came
to work the banana plantations in the late 19th century.
Costa Rica's black population
has consistently attained higher educational standards than the
national average and many blacks are now found in leading professions
throughout the nation. They have also managed to retain much of
their traditional culture, including religious practices rooted
in African belief about transcendence through spiritual possession,
their rich cuisine, the rhythmic lilt of their slightly antiquated
English, and the deeply syncopated funk of their music.
 Costa
Rica's indigenous peoples have suffered abysmally. Centuries ago
the original Indian tribes were splintered by Spanish conquistadores
and compelled to retreat into the vast tracts of the interior
mountains. Today, approximately 9,000 Indian peoples of the Bribrí,
Boruca, and Cabecar tribes manage to eke out a living from the
jungles of remote valleys in the Talamanca Mountains of southern
Costa Rica, where their ancestors had sought refuge from Spanish
muskets and dogs. Although various agencies continue to work to
promote education, health, and community development, the Indians'
standard of living is appallingly low, alcoholism is endemic,
and they remain subject to constant exploitation. a majority of
Indians have gradually been tricked into selling their allotments
or otherwise forced off their lands. Poor soils and rough rides
have not kept colonists in search of land and gold from invading
the reserves. The various Indian clans cling tenuously to what
remains of their cultures. The Borucas, who inhabit scattered
villages in tight-knit patches of the Pacific southwest, have
been most adept at conserving their own language and civilization,
including matriarchy, communal land ownership, and traditional
weaving.
Immigrants from many nations
have been made welcome over the years. Jews are prominent in the
liberal professions. There is a Quaker community of several hundred
people centered on Monteverde, where they produce goudas, cheddars,
and monterico cheeses. Germans have for many generations been
particularly successful as coffee farmers. Italians have gathered,
among other places, in the town of San Vito, on the central Pacific
coast. Several thousand Chinese call Costa Rica their home.
Much
of the information on our site as it relates to Costa Rica is:
 Courtesy
of Christopher P. Baker and Avalon Travel Publishing.
© 2004 Christopher P. Baker. All Rights Reserved.
Spanish Abroad, Inc. highly
recommends Christopher P. Baker's book: Moon
Handbooks Costa Rica. Click on the image to visit
his website where you can purchase this book or find out more
about the author.
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