Costa Rica means "rich coast"
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos.
Boys are often called chicos and girls chicas.
The common greeting among the laid back Costa Ricans of "pura vida" which translates literally as "pure life" but means something in between "no worries" and "it's all good"
They are a very welcoming and friendly people.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic with no army (which was abolished in 1949).
Money which would have gone to the army is put in education and healthcare.
Costa Rica has a 95% literacy rate.
In 1951 a group of Quakers from Fairhope Alabama settled in the Monteverde region of costa Rica. Why? They opposed the draft bill. They farmed and presently have a very successful Cheese Factory. We had the pleasure of spending an evening with Marvin Rockwell one of the original "Society of Friends". What a great story. Hopefully there will be a documentary on public television "Sweet Home Costa Rica", it is currently in production.
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