Costa Rica
/ˌkɒstə ˈriːkə
/
A republic in Central America on the Isthmus of Panama; population 4,253,900 (est. 2009); official language, Spanish; capital, San José.
Colonized by Spain in the early 16th century, Costa Rica achieved independence in 1823 and emerged as a separate country in 1838 after fourteen years within the United Provinces of Central America.
Origin
Spanish, literally 'rich coast'.