Costa Rica -Geographical
| |
|
| |
| |
Costa
Rica Geographical Description |
| |
The high and mountainous regions
are in the center of Costa Rica with mountains ridges as high
as 12,000 feet (3,636.36 meters) and more (Chirripo National
Park), the Northern regions, the Nicoya Peninsula and Gauanacaste
are more extensive and flat also the Northern Caribbean slopes
are extensive and flat low lands, with the swamps of Caño
Negro National Park in the North and the Tortuguero National
Park canals in the North East. The slope of the Pacific Ocean
is more sudden and it originates a great quantity of beautiful
bays, cliffs and coves.
|
| |
Costa
Rica’s Caribbean Basin |
| |
The Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica is the most
colorful and vibrant region of Costa Rica. The African Caribbean
Culture is the home for great food, rich with tropical Caribbean
flavors (Coconut milk is used a lot in the Caribbean traditional
cuisine) and the Reggae Music Beat which contributes to the
general rhythm of life on the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast.
The coast of the Caribbean Ocean is 212 kilometers (132.5
miles) in length and it stretches from Northeast to Southeast
and divides to two sections San Juan - Lemon (that goes from
the border with Nicaragua to the port city of Lemon) and Lemon
- River Sixaola (From the city of Lemon to the border with
Panama). The first section is a coastal length that separates
Costa Rica’s Caribbean Ocean to a series of lagoons
of sweet water that are fed by multiple rivers. In this zone
the Channels of Tortuguero National Park are situated, a natural
system of channels and navigable lagoons of more than 110
kilometers (68.75 miles) of extensions that are the natural
habitat of seven species of turtles. In the center of Costa
Rica’s Caribbean region the port town of Lemon is located,
one of the principal ports of the country. Opposite to Limon,
cradle of the Costa Rica’s African Caribbean culture
stands the Island of Uvita visited by Cristobal Columbus in
his fourth and last trip to the new continent, who named it
Cariari. Towards the Southeast, in the second section of the
littoral, spreads a wide beach interrupted by the coral foreland
of Cahuita. |
| |
Costa Rica’s
Pacific Ocean |
| |
The coastal Pacific Ocean, with an
extension of more than 1.200 kilometers of coast, presents a
variety of sceneries, islands, gulfs, tops, swamps, coves and
peninsulas that spread from border to border, from the Golfito
and up to Northern Bays vast beaches stretch for the recreation
and enjoyment of visitors. The principal peninsulas that are
in the Pacific Ocean are the Nicoya Peninsula (The Gulf of Nicoya)
that offers big attractions to tourists. In this waters the
ferries " Salinero " moves and " Tempisque ",
which arrive at the beaches of the south sector of the Peninsula
of Nicoya. Besides, in this waters are islands and beautiful
bays. Those of major size and extension are the islands of Chira
and San Lucas. Other islands of great natural beauty are: Negritos
and Cedars. The principal port of the Pacific Ocean is a Puerto
Caldera near Puntarenas it is a modern port complex for the
docking of cruises and ships. Coco Island is 500 km from the
coast. Coco Island is famous for its legend of hidden treasures,
but its principal wealth is its flora and marine and terrestrial
fauna of great beauty and plenty. The Coco Island is a Costa
Rican protected reserve. Towards the Southwest off the coastal
Pacific Ocean is the Gulf or Peninsula de Osa, called also the
Sweet Gulf. Golfito is the major town. In the Southwest part
of the Osa Peninsula lays Corcovado National Park rated #3 among
the world’s National Parks and boasts a diversity and
wealth of flora and fauna.
Costa Rica’s Pacific Ocean is famous for its Sport
Fishing and Consistent Surf Conditions!
|
| |
Mountain
system |
| |
Costa Rica’s Mountain Chain
forms an independent group of mountains from the set of Central
American mountains. The existing biodiversity in Costa Rica
is a paradise for ecological oriented tourism activities. Costa
Rica’s Mountain System subdivides into two separated parts
in Costa Rica’s Central Valley, this is also the location
of Costa Rica’s major cities; San Jose, Alajuela and Heredia.
In this mountainous system different mountain chain can be identified.
The Volcanic Chain of Guanacaste; Orosí, Miravalles,
Tenorio, Rincon De La Vieja with its mud bubbles and thermal
springs. Volcano Arenal (The most active of all the volcanoes
with approximately 40 small eruptions every day) is located
just by the Arenal Lake, a very good location for many water
sports activities such as; Windsurfing, Jet Ski and lake Sport
Fishing. The Volcanic Mountain Chain of Tilarán consists
of the following volcanoes: Poás, Barva and Irazú.
There is a relatively easy access to these Volcanoes and they
represent an important ecological and biological heritage for
Costa Ricans and for the visitors that come to the country every
year to visit and learn about Costa Rica’s geographical
development. In the Mountain Chain of Talamanca the most famous
mountain is Mountain Chirripo and it is the highest peak in
Costa Rica with 3.821 meters (12609.3 ft). |
| |
Costa Rica’s
fluvial system |
| |
Rainfall patterns, although seasonal,
vary greatly in intensity across geographical areas. Some locations
receive over 6 mts (18 ft) of precipitation per year, while
others receive fewer than 1.5 mts (4 ft). This excessive water
stream to the Pacific and the Caribbean Oceans via a system
of great rivers and creates a lot of fun tourism attractions
such as the famous Rafting and Kayaking on the Pacuare River
and the Reventazon Rivers. In the slopes of the Caribbean you
can find this two rivers; Reventazón-Parismina with an
extension of 145 km, and the Pacuare River, with 108 km. Both
Rivers have ideal characteristics for sport fishing, Rafting
and Kayaking. In the North of Costa Rica you can find the Colorado
River with 96 km in length, and the Sarapiquí River both
are good for hiking and other nature oriented sport activities.
In the slopes of the Pacific Ocean there is the Tempisque River
with its 136 km in length in its river mouth there are the great
Mangrove Swamps home to many migrating birds that pass through
Costa Rica every year.
|
| |
Natural
Resources |
| |
Costa Rica has one of the highest
biodiversity in the world. Costa Rica’s tropical location
and its irregular terrain formation with rapid change in sea
levels from 0 sea level to up to 3,800 meters in Costa Rica’s
isthmus allows the migration of many bird species between the
continental masses of North and South America. To understand
the diversity of species it is necessary to know something of
the geological history and of the geographical present characteristics
in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s territory was created about
100 million years ago. In these times there was only a marine
channel opened with many islands, separating the two most ancient
subcontinents. Due to tectonic movements towards the west, The
Caribbean tectonic plates shifted south and formed a shaped
and narrow terrestrial bridge that joined North and South. This
ground was constituted by a rising in the Southeast part (what
is today the Mountain chain of Talamanca) and a volcanic formation
that goes towards the North (The Mountains of Tilarán).
This is how a grouping of species and migration began, plants
and animals were migrating through this corridor from North
to South and vice versa passing through Costa Rica and creating
the biodiversity that now prevails in Costa Rica. On the other
hand, the new marine stripe began a process of diversification
between the species of both seas due to Costa Rica’s geographical
position to 10 ° of North latitude, the country is exposed
during almost the whole year to the winds trade coming from
the Northwest that come from the Caribbean and come loaded with
moisture. Most of the lowlands in the North and the mountains
that receive these winds have strong precipitations.
|
| |
Costa Rica
Bird watching |
| |
Thanks to Costa Rica’s geographical
location, between two large land masses North America and South
America and a coast with two big oceans, the Caribbean and Pacific
Oceans Costa Rica has a great diversity of flora and fauna.
Costa Rica has a large number of habitats and the biggest diversity
of birds, in a land area similar to Nova Scotia’s or Ireland’s.
Costa Rica has approximately 850 species of birds of which 600
are permanent residents and the rest are migratory birds, migrating
during the winter usually from North America to South America
and vise versa when the winter comes to South America.
Among the many colorful birds that you will be able to observe
while in Costa Rica are the famous and rare Quetzal, the beautiful
and colorful Arra Macao, five types of Tucans and many water
birds. The Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste, the Canio
Negro National Park near the border with Nicaragua, Tortuguero
National Park and, the river mouth of the Tempisque River and
the mountain region each has an amazing diversity of birds.
|
| |
Costa Rica’s
Gardens and Orchids |
| |
Costa Rica has reached world reputation
for the large variety of orchids in its forests. You can see
many of the Orchid species in the Botanical Gardens at the outskirts
of Cartago in the Central Valley. In the Botanical Gardens tourist
can learn about the scientific side of Orchids, and about Costa
Rica’s various microclimates. The visit in the Botanical
Garden are done with an experienced guide that explains about
the particulars of these beautiful flowers, wild and hybrid,
as well as the origins of other species common to the tropical
flora.
|
| |
Costa
Rica Protected Areas |
| |
From 1992 Costa Rica is a world head
office of the " COUNCIL OF THE GROUND ", on Costa
Rica’s initiative in the field of the conservation of
its natural resources. At present the National System of Areas
of Conservation (SINAC) of the Department of the Ambience and
Energy (MINAE) has under its responsibility the care and the
conservation of more than 30 units spread all over the country
that are constituted by a set of national parks or biological
terrestrial and marine reservations. Costa Rica is one of the
countries with the highest percentage of protected land in the
world: 1.342,900 hectares of surface, which corresponds to 26,3
% of the national territory. The importance of the natural resources
of Costa Rica goes up to Costa Rica’s borders and protects
many forms of life, fauna and flora that are on the route to
extinction. This creates a country that is a favorite destination
among ecological travelers. This system of National Parks and
Reserves has usually access to travelers with facilities that
can accommodate sustainable tourism while respecting the existing
habitat. In these protected areas visitors can enjoy hikes in
nature, observation of birds, camp and explore the rivers, the
beaches, the forests, the volcanoes, historical and archaeological
places and observe ecological events of great transcendence
in the American Continent.
For Costa Rica’s role in the conservation of natural resources,
the country was awarded by the San Francisco of Asís
and the award of Ecology from the Organization FLAGSTAFF (Association
of Travel agents of the United States) as advertised in the
Smithsonian Magazine.
|
|
|
Hotel Reservation
 |
 |
Do
not hesitate to call us, it will be a pleasure serving
you!
Tel:+1.866.465.6202
/ +506.643.1500
Fax: +506.643.1356
During office
hours
Costa Rica
|
|
 |
|
