![]() Moreover, Costa Rica accepted many refugees from various other Latin American countries fleeing civil wars and dictatorships during the 1970s and 1980s – notably from El Salvador, Chile, Argentina, Cuba and recently from Venezuela.Ĭurrently immigrants represent 9% of the Costa Rican population, the largest in Central America and the Caribbean. There is also a number of Colombian refugees. Most of them live in secluded reservations, distributed among eight ethnic groups: Quitirrisí (in the Central Valley), Matambú or Chorotega (Guanacaste), Maleku (northern Alajuela), Bribri (southern Atlantic), Cabécar (Cordillera de Talamanca), Guaymí (southern Costa Rica, along the Panamá border), Boruca (southern Costarable portion of the Costa Rican population is made up of Nicaraguans. There are also over 104,000 Native American or indigenous inhabitants, representing 2.4% of the population. Asians represent less than 0.5% of the Costa Rican population, mostly from China, Taiwan and Japan. In 1873, the Atlantic Railroad imported 653 Chinese indentured laborers, hoping to duplicate the success of rail projects that used Chinese labor in Peru, Cuba, and the United States. ![]() About 8% of the population is of African descent or Mulatto (mix of European and black) who are called Afro-Costa Ricans, English-speaking descendants of 19th century black Jamaican immigrant workers. Ĭosta Rica has four small minority groups: Mulatto, Black, Amerindian and Asian people. Most of the 3,500 Costa Rican Jews today are not highly observant, but they remain largely endogamous. From the 1930s to the early 1950s, journalistic and official anti-Semitic campaigns fueled harassment of Jews however, by the 1950s and 1960s, the immigrants won greater acceptance. The first sizable group of self-identified Jews immigrated from Poland, beginning in 1929. Many of the first Spanish colonists in Costa Rica may have been Jewish converts to Christianity who were expelled from Spain in 1492 and fled to colonial backwaters to avoid the Inquisition. Other European ethnic groups known to live in Costa Rica include Russians, Danes, Belgians, Portuguese, Croats, Poles, Turks, Armenians and Georgians. Įuropean migrants in Costa Rica to get across the isthmus of Central America as well to reach the USA West Coast ( California) in the late 19th century and until the 1910s (before the Panama Canal opened). Whites, Castizo and Mestizo together comprise 83% of the population. ![]() Ethnic groups Chavela Vargas Mixed-Costa Rican Born - Singer Harry Shum, Jr Asian-Costa Rican - Glee Actor/Dancer Joel Campbell Afro-Costa Rican Football Player Claudia Poll, Nicaragua-born Costa Rican, Gold-Medalist Olympic Swimmer Ibo Bonilla, Criollo-Costa Rican, architect, sculptor, mathematician and educator Costa Rican kids.Īs of 2012 most Costa Ricans are of primarily Spanish or Spanish/Mixed ancestry with minorities of German, Italian, French, Dutch, British, Swedish and Greek ancestry. Parts of the country have other strong cultural influences, including the Caribbean province of Limón and the Cordillera de Talamanca which are influenced by Jamaican immigrants and indigenous native people, respectively. There are over 1,200 species of orchids in Costa Rica.Oxcart wheels, decorated in traditional style, found particularly in SarchíĬosta Rican culture has been heavily influenced by Spanish culture ever since the Spanish colonization of the Americas including the territory which today forms Costa Rica. The country is also home to hundreds of mammals including bats, and insects, such as vibrant butterflies and leaf-cutter ants.īirdwatchers may get a glimpse of the endangered colorful quetzal bird, blue-footed boobies, scarlet macaw, and toucans. There are many brightly colored toads and frogs, including the poison arrow frog. There are over 200 species of reptiles, the majority of which are snakes. Palm trees and mangroves are prevalent along the coastal areas. The heavy rains encourage thick plant growth from the treetop canopy to the forest floor, including fungi, molds, ferns, and vines. The tropical rain forests are humid and hot year-round. These forests burst into bloom when the rains arrive. Tropical dry forests remain dry until the rainy season begins in April or May. Costa Rica is home to over 2,000 species of trees and 9,000 different kinds of flowering plants. One fifth of the country is covered in forests.The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the largest cloud forest in Central America. ![]() Costa Rica is committed to preserving the beauty and diversity of the country through the development of national parks. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |