TCRN Staff
Costa Rica is 189 years old, and she looks great!!! How far has she come in 189 years? What makes Costa Rica the “The Jewel of Central America”?
Interestingly enough… Costa Rica was the first Central American country to begin exporting… coffee of course. Because of this, we are where we are. Because of this we had an influx of European immigrants, earlier than other Central American countries. Because of this we have a middle class rating higher than the other Central American country.
Our cost of living is higher than other Central American countries, but that is a small price to pay, comparatively speaking. Our opportunities are greater, our life style is better, our infrastructure has moved forward leaps and bounds over the past decade, our political stability is second to none, and our reputation, globally, is in the forefront for Central America… everybody loves Costa Rica!
As of 2009, Costa Rica boasts the highest life satisfaction of anywhere in the world.
Costa Rica has 5% of the world’s biodiversity, packed into a country slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia.
Let’s face it, us expats may complain a lot about the living in Costa Rica, as a matter of fact, its one our favorite past times, but we obviously love it here because we continue to live here. Costa Rica has fast become one of the world’s favorite places to visit and live.
Read more on Costa Rica: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Costa-Rica.html
Below is a copy of Hillary Clinton’s , Secretary of State, message to Costa Rica on this Independence Anniversary.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
September 13, 2010
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On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Costa Rica on the 189th anniversary of your independence this September 15.
Costa Rica has long been a champion of the values and interests we share throughout our hemisphere – democracy, human rights, open markets, and regional unity and stability. Your strong democratic traditions have set a shining example for over 100 years. During my visit last March, I was honored to meet with Costa Rica’s first female president-elect and discuss avenues for further cooperation and partnership between our nations. As the host of this year’s Pathways to Prosperity Ministerial, Costa Rica provided valuable leadership in our common mission to expand economic opportunities to more people throughout the Americas.
Today, we honor your country’s many accomplishments, and we reaffirm our commitment to further deepening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Costa Rica and the United States.
We look forward to continuing our work together on public safety, economic inclusion, environmental protection, clean energy development, and many other initiatives as we strive to build a more secure and prosperous future for us all.
I wish all Costa Ricans a joyous Independence Day. In the words of Jose Maria Zeledon Brenes: “Vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz.”