Costa Rica is a peaceful democratic country with 4,132,884 inhabitants with a literacy of 96%.  It is located in Central America bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.  Being in the tropics, it has abundant rain and warm temperatures and two different seasons during the year.  A dry season between December and April and the rainy season between May and November.  However, both seasons can weave together.

Temperatures vary depending where you are in relation to sea level.  At the coast it oscillates between 74 and 96 Fahrenheit, while in the highest regions it varies between 42 and 62 Fahrenheit.

Four mountain ranges run across the country:  The most important is the Talamanca Range, where the Chirripo peak is located.  The latter is the highest peak in the country, reaching 3;820 meters above the sea level.  Costa Rica has several active volcanoes such as Poas, Arenal, Turrialba and Rincon de la Vieja.  It also has beautiful beaches that stretch 225 kilometers on the Caribbean coast and 1103 kilometers on the Pacific Ocean.

Costa Rica has been considered a biological and cultural bridge due to its geographical position.  It is a country rich in flora and fauna with more than 5% of the planet’s biodiversity.  Costa Rica maintains 25 percent of its land for biological preserves, national forests, and other protected sites.  Costa Rica's enlightened approach to conservation has ensured that lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies.  Meanwhile, endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats.

Research, education, and investment in a stable and welcoming tourist industry have contributed greatly to the world's understanding of just how important our natural environment is.