Who knew??

Yes, we’re going surfing in a really remote part of the country.  But it’s still fun to know stuff – albeit somewhat random stuff – about Costa Rica.

• Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity even though its landmass is only .03% of the planet's surface.  25% of the country’s land area is protected, the largest percentage of protected area in the world.
• The literacy rate in Costa Rica is over 95%, one of the highest in the world.  Universal public education is guaranteed in the constitution.  Nice.
• Costa Rica’s healthcare system is ranked higher than ours, despite having a fraction of our GDP.  On the other hand, the fast food establishments apparently have home delivery.  Go figure. 
• Costa Rica abolished all its armed forces in 1949 and declared Perpetual Neutrality in 1983. How very Switzerland of them.
• Costa Rica is ranked as the happiest place in the world, according to an independent research group which created the "Happy Planet Index."  Let’s just say that, as far as US ranking is concerned, that claim to fame is waaaaay safe.



President Laura Chinchilla Miranda

• The current president of Costa Rica is a woman named Laura (middle name Chinchilla).  Oh yeah!  And President Miranda is very attractive too - that's her photo with this post. Sadly, her politics and mine are pretty different.
• Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos or Ticas.  And instead of referencing a spouse or partner as "my better half," Ticos often refer to them "media naranja,”  the other half of their orange.

Best for last … when a woman has a baby, Ticos say "Ella dio a luz,” which translates as "She gave light." Love that.