Costa Rica has been inhabited as far back as 5000
BC by indigenous . There were many migrations and influences from the Aztecs of Mexico to the Mayas and the Incas of Peru. The was small compared to the vast Pre-Columbian civilizations found throughout Latin America. In fact, some historians argue that the present culture of this was primarily founded upon these more dominant indigenous cultures. You see evidence of the indigenous influences in arts and crafts available throughout Costa Rica in the form of handcrafted ceramics, ornaments, and jewelry.The most extraordinary and quixotic artifacts left by Costa Rica’s ancestors are the astonishing stone spheres found near Palmar Norte and Palmar Sur in Corcovado. The most prominent
are the Bribris, the Borucas, the Cabecares, the Huetares, the Malekus and the Chorotegas. As with most tribes, their numbers are dwindling as their traditions and lands are usurped by modern societies. The few remaining members of these tribes are trying to hold on to their customs and old way of life, although this is getting harder to maintain, and live in small villages in remote regions of the . But luckily, rights for the indigenous have been put on the agenda and tourists can support them by visiting their villages and tribes.As the story goes, Christopher Columbus landed on a small island located by Limon in 1502, and “discovered” Costa Rica. Well, that may please historians, but it is not actually what happened in this episode of . In 1502, Christopher Columbus arrived at Limon being lost. Costa Rica already existed. It was here all along and Costa Rica discovered Europeans in 1502! Limon was quickly abandoned in favor of the , however, partially due to the heat and humidity. The indigenous cultures fled to the Talamanca where they remain to this day. In 1522, the colonists named the Costa Rica, meaning Rich in the hope that they were going to find gold in its hills. Which they didn’t. When it became apparent that the rich was poorer than its neighbors, the colonists switched their focus to agricultural development.
As the landowners were quite poor and isolated from the soon followed. centers of Mexico, Guatemala, and the Andes, and because there were very few indigenous labor forces to help, the first Costa Rican soon turned into an autonomous and individual agrarian society. By the beginning of the 19th , the cultivation of bananas brought in a lot of wealth and
Achieving Independence was one of the most important events in . Unlike many of its neighbors, however, the Ticos managed to do it without bloodshed or revolution. While this fact is certainly a blessing, it does not mean that it was a simple process. In fact, they had to win their freedom not once but twice! In the first round, they broke free from the rule of Spain. In the second round, they achieved full independence within Central America.
Read more about Costa Rica Independence and the long yet fascinating road Costa Ricans took to get there!
The at the time of William Walker’s arrival, Juan
It is here that the enemy made their mistake; Walker and his army took protection in a wooden fort. The young Juan Santamaria bravely volunteered to burn down the fort.
This act alone turned the young Juan Santamaria into a national hero who is still celebrated annually and even remembered through the name of Alajuela‘s airport: San Juan Santamaria International Airport.
These events were followed by an era of peace and prosperity until 1917, when fro two years General Federico Tinoco Granados had power as a military dictator. Later in 1948, Jose
started a civil war in which 2000 died; the war only lasted 44 days and was the bloodiest event ever to take place in Costa Rica. The victorious junta, however, resulted in a constitution that gave way to free elections with and the total abolition of the army. became a hero when Costa Rica disbanded its army in 1949. Since that day, Costa Rica has been investing in education, natural heritage and developing strategies for supporting
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