History of Costa Rica

Period précolombienne

Before the arrival of Christophe Colomb, the area which forms current the Costa Rica constituted an intermediate zone, between méso-American and Andean civilizations. In the area of Turrialba one quoted (named Guayabo) was built by the union of these two méso-American and Andean civilizations.

Hispanic domination

In 1502, Christophe Colomb arrives in the area during its fourth and last voyage. The first colony goes back to 1522. The natives were subjected by the Spaniards during the 16th century. Costa Rica then forms the southernmost province of the News-Spain.

During nearly three centuries, the area is managed by military governors. The zone belongs to the general Harbor office of Guatemala on behalf of the Spanish crown . The Spaniards called Costa Rica the littoral by excess of optimism, which means rich coasts . However they found there only few Or and noble metals. The Spaniards thus devoted themselves to the Agriculture.

The relative poverty of the landowners, the absence of abundant indigenous labor, ethnic and cultural homogeneity, and the insulation of the Costa Rica of the centers of being able located at the Mexico and in the the Andes are the independent factors which contributed to the development of an autonomous and individualistic agrarian company. A tradition of egalitarianism appears in parallel. This tradition survived the stressing of the differences between classes which appeared about the 19th century with the introduction of the culture of the Banane and of the Café which allowed an accumulation of richness.

Acquisition of independence

In 1821, Costa Rica puts forth a declaration of common independence with other provinces of Central America. Costa Rica makes during some time left the Mexican Empire of Augustín Iturbide, then the United States of America power station (between 1823 and 1839). The capital is transferred to San Jose in 1824.

Even if the States, recently become independent, form a Federation, the arguments on the delimitation of the borders will be added to the former conflicts. Thus, the province costaricaine of Guanacatse, located at the north of the country, was annexed by the Nicaragua. In 1838, whereas the Federation has de facto for a long time ceased functioning, Costa Rica is withdrawn some officially by affirming its sovereignty.

Contemporary period

One period of peaceful democracy begins in 1899 with elections considered as the really free and honest first in the history of the country.

The Costa Rica avoids in a great measurement the Violence which prevails at the time in Central America. Indeed, since the end of the 19th century, only two short periods of violence mark out the democratic development of Costa Rica.

Of 1917 with 1919, Federico Tinoco directs the country in Dictateur.

In 1948, Jose Figueres Ferrer carries out a military rising on bottom of disputed presidential election. One period of Civil war opens then, one 44 days duration, making more than 2.000 dead. It is one of the most fatal risings of the 20th century in Costa Rica. However, the victorious Junte that Figueres directs writes a Constitution guaranteeing free elections with vote for all and abolishing the army. Since then, Costa Rica east one of the rare democratic countries in the world to be functioned without army. Figueres becomes of this fact a national hero and, in 1953, it gains the first elections under the new constitution. Since then, the Costa Rica organized eleven presidential elections, the last having taken place in 2002.

Even if the Agriculture still constitutes most of the economy, Costaricains reached a relatively high Standard of living. Many inhabitants are owners of a ground and the industry of the Tourisme is in full rise.

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