San Jose Fast Facts
San José is the seat of national government, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.
Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San José is one of the youngest capital cities in Latin America by year of conception.
The population of San José Canton is 365,790.
The city lies at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature of 25 C (77oF) and annual precipitation of 1800 mm, more than 90% of it falling in the rainy season from May to November.
University of Santo Tomás, the first university of Costa Rica was established here in 1843.
San José serves as the headquarters of the Interamerican Court of Human Rights.
Juan Santamaría International Airport, is 23 km west of downtown, in the city of Alajuela.
In San José there exist many sodas, which are informal cafes that serve traditional meals (meat, rice, beans, and salad) for less than $3 a plate.
A pulperia is a neighborhood store like 7-11 in the United States, but independent, that sells canned goods, eggs, milk and snacks.
In San José the dry season is from December thru mid-April. May through mid-November is considered the rainy season.
San José, although the official language is Spanish, English is the second most common language
Costa Rica Fast Facts
Costa Ricans have one of the highest life expentancies in the world, clocking in at around 77.
Although costa rica is a mere 51,100 km2, 19,653 sq mi (128th) it has over 800 miles of coastline
Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Tico and Tica.
Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon.
There are more than 121 volcanic formations in Costa Rica, and seven of them are active.
Poas volcano has the second widest crater in the world, at a staggering 1.5 km in diameter and 300 meters in depth.
Arenal volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.
The highest point in Costa Rica is Chirripo Mountain, at nearly 12.500 feet.
The lowest point in Costa Rica is located in the caves of Barra Honda National Park, 790 feet below sea level.
The tallest volcano in Costa Rica is Irazu at 11.259 feet.
Despite that fact that Costa Rica{s landmass composes less than 0.3 percent of the planets surface, it contains more than 5 percent of the world's biodiversity.
Costa Rica is home to Claudia Poll who was the first Costa Rican to win an Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games.
Costa Rica holds 80 world records according to the International Game Fish Association.
In San José currency used is the Colón is named after Cristóbal Colón aka Christopher Columbus,who named Cost Rica in 15.
