National Day of Costa Rica

TODAY, the Republic of Costa Rica celebrates its National Day commemorating its independence from Spain in 1821.

Located on the Central American isthmus, Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the east and south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. San Jose is the capital and largest city.

Major industries in Costa Rica comprise of electronics, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing, software development, and ecotourism. Ecotourism brings about US$ 2.2 billion to the economy, thus making it the most visited nation in Central America. Its high literacy rate and level of education make the country an attractive investing location.

The government of Costa Rica aims to make the country the first carbon-neutral area by 2021. For the last three years (2012, 2013, and 2014), the country has topped the Happy Planet Index. The United Nations Development Programme regards the country as a good performer on environmental sustainability.

Costa Rica is a member of various regional and international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and the Organization of American States. Two organizations – the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations University of Peace – are based in Costa Rica.

We congratulate the government and people of Costa Rica led by President Luiz Guillermo Solis, on the occasion of its National Day.