Costa Rica 's History and National Parks

Costa Rica's culture has a deep relation with its history. The culture is a combination of South American and Mesoamerican, also influenced the Spanish at the sixteenth century. "Chibcha" has its grasp on the culture in the southern and the central part of the country. The African slaves in the eighteenth century and the Jamican laborers who had come to build the immense railway left their mark on the culture on the coast of Caribba. Civilization in Costa Rica started taking place in the early stages of 1522, and by the sixteenth century the Spanish took over the entire southern province. The Spaish ruled for almost three centuries. Despite the availability of decent natural endowments the Spanish chose to concentrate on agriculture. Lack of devoted entrepreneurs, poor management and weak work-force lead to poverty. However the virtue of a true and consistent democracy, starting from the year 1889, changed a lot of things. The people were finding it easy to get united and eliminate violence. They were striving to set up a strong platform where democracy could stand still. Their efforts finally paid dividend in 1949 when the army was stamped out of run the country's affairs within a democratic framework. However a bloody civil war in the 20th century shook them a bit but it could not take them apart. Costa Rica today happens to be a very economically sound country. The country's industrial development has been very good. The country's industry has expand in fields like technology, finance, ecotourism, pharmaceuticles, electronics and so many other areas. Costa Rica's involvement in world affairs has also been good. She is a member of very many international organizations. Costa Rica has been able to maintain a nice balance between politics and its economy.

Costa Rica's geographical positioning is bases on a system known as the "National System of Conservation Areas". Under this system the country is divided in to more than one hundred and sixty protected areas and out of that there are twenty six national parks. The protected areas account for more than one-fourth of the total territory of Costa Rica. These national parks are of major attraction to the tourists from all over the world.

Arenal National Park- This is home to the "Arenal Volcano" and "Arenal Lake", and so a very popular tourist spot. Lake Arenal is also well known for the hydroelectric activities. The Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanos in Coata Rica. Vegetation is very rare in here owing to the eruption of the volcano in nineteen sixty eight. This ordial even made if difficult for wild-life to enhance. Once your are here you will be confronted with some very heavy rain.

Santa Rosa National Parks- This area is highly enriched with culture and tradition and has a story to tell about the battle of Santa Rosa. The large dry forest is home to many plants and wildlife and the two beaches are the breeding ground for the turtles of the Pacific Ocean. Roadside Hawks, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, Long-tongued Bats are some of the species that live in the Santa Rosa National Park. Due to the dry climate vegetation is very limited.

Caņo Negro National Wildlife Refuge- In the winters this park becomes a host to migrant birds like Blue-winged Teal, Wood Stork, Snail Kite, White Ibis, Northern Shoveler, Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Glossy Ibis and so many others. The accumulated rain formed in the rainy season creates small lakes until they dry up in the dry season.

Tapanti National Park- It is a high rain forest where you can see many different plants, insects and birds. You will not often see big animals.

• Cahuita National Park
• Irazu Volcano National Park
• Corcovado National Park
• Barra Honda National Park
• Tortuguero National Park
• Poas Volcano National Park
• Whale Marine National Park
• Tenorio Volcano National Park and Vicinity