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Officially known as the Republic of Costa Rica, the beautiful country of Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the east and south. The Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea also lie along the coastlines of Costa Rica, which literally translates as “Rich Coast.” Costa Rica is not only an environmentally conscious country, which plans to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021, but Costa Rica also ranks first in the Happy Planet Index and is the greenest country in the world. Costa Rica is also comprised of several countries, including Cocos Island and Calero Island, which is the largest of the islands that are part of the country. Unlike many of the other countries in the region, Costa Rica has been able to avoid widespread violence and political turmoil. Costa Rica contains one of the most stable governments in the region, a government that is considered a democratic republic set up with three branches, similar to the government of the United States.

Although Costa Rica has experienced much development and growth, the country suffers from a relatively high inflation rate and poverty rate. Recently, several global corporations including Intel, GlaxoSmithKline, and Procter & Gamble have begun to develop goods and export them from Costa Rica. Today, the country’s economy is driven primarily by electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development, and ecotourism. Tourism has long been a part of the country’s economy, with its numerous national parks and protected wildlife areas attracting visitors from around the world. Many people also visit Costa Rica for its beautiful beaches, tropical forests and mountain settings, active volcanoes, and wide variety of fun outdoor activities.