a republic in Central America: gained independence from Spain in 1821; mostly mountainous and volcanic, with extensive forests. Official language: Spanish. Official religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: colón. Capital: San José. Pop: 4 905 769 (2017 est). Area: 50 900 sq km (19 652 sq miles)
Costa Rica in American English
(ˌkɑstə ˈrikə; ˌkɔstə ˈrikə; ˌkoʊstə ˈrikə)
country in Central America, northwest of Panama: revolted against Spain in 1821; became an independent republic in 1848: 19,730 sq mi (51,101 sq km); pop. 2,417,000; cap. San José