Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 10° 0' N, 84° 0' W
Coastline km: 1,290 km km
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Elevation: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Population: 4,075,261 (July 2006 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Capital: San Jose
Divisions: 7 provinces; Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose