Abel Pacheco de la Espreilla
President

(pronounced "AY-bell pah-CHAY-koh duh lah ess-PREE-yah")

"We will compete without destroying nature because, beyond the events of the moment, our rich biodiversity will always be a great wealth and we will preserve it."

The Republic of Costa Rica is bounded on the north by Nicaragua and on the southeast by Panama, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The total area is 50,560 sq km (19,560 sq mi). One-fifth of the land lies less than 122 m (400 ft) above sea level. The rest is highlands and volcanic chains.

The population was estimated at 3.8 million in 2002, growing at a rate of 1.61% annually. The population is 94% white and mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian descent), with the remaining 6% being black, Amerindian, and Chinese. While Spanish is the official language, English is...