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GAINS INDEPENDENCE
Costa Rica gains its independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire. -
United Provinces of Central America
The Mexican Empire falls; Costa Rica joins El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as the United Provinces of Central America. -
Battle of Rivas
Battle of Rivas; Costa Rica beat William Walker's invading Nicaraguans. -
William Walker
William Walker, conqueror of Nicaragua, surrendered to the US Navy. Cornelius Vanderbilt helped finance a Costa Rican army, which defeated Walker’s forces, and paid men under Walker’s command to defect. Walker later sought protection on a British naval vessel, whose captain turned him over to Hondurans, who executed him in 1860. -
Keith introduces banana cultivation
US businessman Minor Cooper Keith introduces banana cultivation and starts the United Fruit Company. -
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno Presidency
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno (b.1859) began serving his first term as president of Costa Rica. In 1914 he was succeeded by Alfredo Gonzalez Flores. -
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno 2nd Term
Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno (b.1859) began serving his 2nd term as president of Costa Rica. In 1928 he was succeeded by Cleto Gonzalez Viquez. -
Abolished Military
Costa Rica’s President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the military after victory in a civil war. -
CONSITUTION ADOPTED
A new constitution is adopted after a bloody 44-day civil war. 1963 The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is created. It is the first of many protected areas in the country. -
The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve
The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is created. It is the first of many protected areas in the country. -
ARENAL VOLCANO ERUPTS
Arenal volcano erupts, causing many casualties. -
Arias was awarded Nobel Peace Prize
Arias (very popular in Costa Rica) was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in recognition of his efforts to achieve the beginnings of peace in the region. -
becomes 'CARBON NEUTRAL'
Government says Costa Rica on course to become first voluntarily 'carbon neutral' country. -
President sentenced to JAIL
Former president Rafael Angel Calderon is sentenced to five years in jail after being convicted of corruption. -
Laura Chinchilla
Laura Chinchilla becomes Costa Rica’s first woman President. -
Earthquake Hits during the same time as a Volcano
A powerful earthquake kills two people in the Nicoya peninsula west of San Jose, coinciding with the eruption of the San Cristobal volcano in neighbouring Nicaragua. -
Luis Guillermo Soils WINS PRES. ELECTION
Luis Guillermo Solis wins presidential election.
