• LANGUAGE: Spanish   
• RELIGION: Roman Catholic majority  
• AREA: 51 100 km2  
• POPULATION: 4,000,000 approximately 
• ELEVATION: the highest is the Chirripo Peak, approximately 3 819 mts above sea level; the lowest points are the Pacific and Caribbean coasts 
• BORDERS: on the north, Nicaragua; on the south, Panama;  on the west, the Pacific Ocean;  on the east, the Caribbean Sea 
• FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Democratic Republic
• CURRENT HEAD OF STATE: President Abel Pacheco de la Espriella (2002-2006) 
• MAIN ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISIONS: the country is divided into seven provinces:
1. San José (capital city)
2. Heredia
3.Alajuela  
4. Limón  
5. Cartago  
6. Guanacaste 
7. Puntarenas

The Country

Costa Rica is a small country with a native population consisting mainly of descendants of Spanish immigrants, indigenous peoples and Africans. It has a great variety of microclimates, from the magnificent beaches of the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean to the impressive valleys, volcanoes and mountains in the central portions of the country. With a temperature that varies between 32 to l00 degrees Fahrenheit the country is host to approximately 5% of the planet’s known species. The Costa Ricans are peaceful, educated and polite. Although low-key by nature, they are friendly and warm when you get to know them, and above all, very interested in meeting other peoples and learning about their cultures.

The  Province

With only 2657 square kilometers and 354,732 inhabitants, Heredia is the country’s smallest province. It is located 12 kilometers north of San José. At the time of the arrival of the Spaniards, it was an important indigenous site known as Cabobocí. The city of Heredia has only 283 square kilometers and 64,500 inhabitants. It formally became a city in l821 the same year as Costa Rica’s independence from Spain. In l830 the production of coffee was begun and became a major economic activity of the region. This led to the construction of beautiful private residences and public buildings, some of which still remain.

The Municipality (Canton)

The canton of Flores, whose main town is San Joaquín, is almost 8 square kilometers of fertile volcanic soil. With only ll,000 inhabitants it was originally populated by the Huetares Indians, and from the l8th century by Spanish colonizers, creoles and mestizos. Since the l9th century coffee has been the main economic activity. The beautiful Romanesque church is the best example of the town’s prosperity. San Joaquín is planned along the classic lines of colonial Spanish towns, with clearly delineated blocks and a central square or plaza around which the church, the municipal buildings and the school are located. From the plaza one can see the Poas, Barba and Irazu volcanoes located around the Central Valley.