Capital (and largest city) San José

Official languages Spanish

Government Const. Democracy (President. Republic)
- President Oscar Arias
- Vice President Laura Chinchilla

Independence
- from Spain (via Guatemala) September 15, 1821
- from the UPCA 1838

Area
- Total 51,100 km² (128th)

Population
- July 2007 estimate 4,133,884 (119th)

GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate
- Total $48.77 billion (84th)
- Per capita $12,000 (62nd)

Currency Costa Rican colón (CRC)