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Jan 1, 1502
Columbus
Costa Rica was inhabited by an estimated 400,000 Indians when Columbus explored it in 1502. -
Jan 1, 1524
Spanish Conquest
The Spanish conquest began in 1524. The region grew slowly and was administered as a Spanish province. -
Independence...?
Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821 but was absorbed for two years by Agustín de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. -
Costa Rican Republic
It became a republic in 1848. Except for the military dictatorship of Tomás Guardia from 1870 to 1882, Costa Rica has enjoyed one of the most democratic governments in Latin America. -
Economic Woes
In the 1970s, rising oil prices, falling international commodity prices, and inflation hurt the economy. Efforts have since been made to reduce reliance on coffee, banana, and beef exports. Tourism is now a major business. Óscar Arias Sánchez worked to simultaneously heal his country's economic woes and foster peace in Central America. -
José Maria Figueres Olsen
José Maria Figueres Olsen of the National Liberation Party became president in 1994. He opposed economic suggestions made by the International Monetary Fund, instead favoring greater government intervention in the economy. The World Bank subsequently withheld $100 million of financing. -
Miguel Angel Rodríguez
In 1998, Miguel Angel Rodríguez of the Social Christian Unity Party became president, pledging economic reforms, such as privatization. -
Abel Pacheco
A psychiatrist, Abel Pacheco, also of the Social Christian Unity Party, won the presidency in elections held in April 2002. -
Changes in Costa Rica
In May 2003, several national strikes took place, by energy and telecommunications workers over privatization and by teachers over their salaries. -
Costa Rican Corruption
Costa Rica has a reputation as one of the most stable, prosperous, and least corrupt Latin American countries. But in fall 2004, three former Costa Rican presidents (José Maria Figueres Olsen, Miguel Angel Rodríguez, and Rafael Angel Calderon) were investigated on corruption charges. -
Óscar Arias Sánchez
In 2006, Óscar Arias Sánchez was elected president. Arias, who had served as president once before (1986–1990), won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 for fostering peace talks that eventually ended the civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua. -
CAFTA
The Costa Rican government voted in November 2008 to implement the Central American Free Trade Agreement that voters had approved in October 2007. -
Laura Chinchilla
In February 2010, Laura Chinchilla became the country's first woman to be elected president, taking 47% of the vote. She's a protegé of outgoing centrist president Oscar Arias. -
Present Day
Costa Rica’s climate is tropical year round. The major exports are: electronic equipment, bananas, coffee, citrus fruits, and flowers. Fishing and tourism add money to the Costa Rican economy.
