This work is a fascinating guide to one of Latin America's most stable and progressive nations, examining the country's development, unique features, and the challenges Costa Ricans face in the 21st century. Costa Rica: A Global Studies Handbook offers readers an authoritative tour of a remarkable country, tracing its historical development from pre-Colombian inhabitants and Spanish colonization through rising prosperity in the mid-19th century to current struggles to define itself economically and politically. Costa Rica combines narrative chapters on the nation's history and the current state of its political, social, and cultural institutions with alphabetically organized entries covering important people, places, and events in its development. Throughout, the authors, drawing on extensive research and their own experiences, highlight the many ways Costa Rica is different from its neighbors, as well as the challenges the country faces in the 21st century's globalized world.

This paper discusses key findings of the IMF staff report for Costa Rica for the Second Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). Performance under the SBA has remained strong. All quantitative performance criteria for end-September were met, most with considerable margins. The authorities have continued to treat the SBA as precautionary. The outlook for a gradual recovery amid domestic and external stability remains the central scenario. Program risks have declined further and now appear broadly balanced. The main threat to the growth outlook is the possibility of a slower-than-expected global recovery.

The benefits of regional trade agreements can be important factors in the economic development of a country. This study looks at the impact of the Central America Free Trade Agreement - Dominican Republic on the Costa Rican economy overall and some key manufacturing and service sectors, finding positive results.

Since the 1970s and 1980s, Monte Verde, Costa Rica has emerged as one of the most renowned sites of nature conservation and ecotourism in Costa Rica, and some would argue, Latin America. It has received substantial attention in literature and media on tropical conservation, sustainable development, and tourism. Yet most of that analysis has uncritically evaluated the Monte Verde phenomenon, using celebratory language and barely scratching the surface of the many-faceted socio-cultural transformations provoked by and accompanying environmentalism. Because of its stature, Monte Verde represents an ideal case study to examine the socio-cultural and political complexities and dilemmas of practicing environmentalism in rural Costa Rica. Based on many years of close observation, this book offers rich and original material on the ongoing struggles between environmental activists and of collective and oppositional politics to Monte Verde’s new “culture of nature.”

"This second edition is in a smaller format than the first, with additional photos and a new section on the Osa Peninsula. More than 800 photographs, taken in the field, show entire plants and closer views of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Pen-and-ink drawings depict botanical details. The text covers identifying characteristics, natural history, chemical properties, economic importance, medicinal uses, conservation, ethnobotany, and ecology"--

Packed with travel information, including more listings, deals, and insider tips: CANDID LISTINGS of hundreds of places to eat, sleep, and drink like a local RELIABLE MAPS and directions to help you get around cities, towns, and parques INSIDER TIPS about the best beaches and snack spots OPPORTUNITIES for ecotourism and conservation WORK AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES in the Costa Rican wilderness THE BEST BEACHES for surfing, scuba diving, sportfishing, and sunbathing

In general, information available as of January 1, 2007 was used in the preparation of this edition. Provides brief information on the geography, people, government, economy, communications, and defense of countries and regions around the world. Contains information on international organizations. Designed to meet the specific requirements of United States Government Officials in style, format, coverage, and content. Includes 3 unattached maps.

The World Factbook is published annually by the CIA. It is an almanac-style volume running to some 900 pages. Here you will find facts related to intelligence gathered by the CIA. The book is updated every year with new facts added and amendments made, as appropriate.