Costa Rica: Some facts and background information

The Republic of Costa Rica is a republic of Central America. Situated between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south Costa-Rica is bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean.
Remarkably for the region, Costa Rica has stood as a bastion of stability and democracy since the minor civil war of the late 1940s that brought President José Figueres Ferrer to power. In fact, Costa Rica has no military, only a domestic police force. The capital is San José.
For a more detailed countryprofile see: BBC Country profile: Costa Rica

Beaches at the pacific With its coastline of approximately 1500 km Costa Rica offers beaches (most of them at the pacific side) for every kind of activity and for every taste.

Amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica In Costa Rica there live approximately 150 species of amphibians and more than 200 species of reptiles (some authors speak of more than 450 species for both). You meet them not only on tours to the jungle or on one of the riverexpeditions ...

One sunset - many pictures I am very fond of sunsets. Come, let us go look at a sunset now. (from "The Little Prince" by Antoine De Saint-Exupèry)

Birds of Costa Rica More than 850 different species of birds are found in the distinct habitats of Costa Rica. Although because of the shrunken habitats along the rivers and in national parks it's very easy to find and watch them.

Insects and mammals: The smallest and the biggest The number of species of insects living in Costa Rica can only be estimated but counts some hundred thousands for sure. There are more than thousand of butterfly species alone. Compared to that the more than 300 known species of mammals ...

Details, colors, patterns and structures Uncommon clippings and perspectives or close-up views often disclose details, colors, patterns and structures. They can tell a lot about the whole or are just a real vision. Photos for guessing or as abstract art.