Costa Rica’s history and how it affects the Real Estate Market
The history of Costa Rica goes back to September 8, 1502. When Christopher Columbus arrived on the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica. The Spaniards took refuge in the calm waters just off the Atlantic coast between tiny Uvita Island and what is now the Port of Limon. The native Indians greeted the Spaniards with interest and brought out goods to trade with them. They swam out to the ship carrying cotton cloths, shirts, tumbago pendants (copper and gold), and weapons such as clubs, bows, and arrows. Columbus admired the golden mirrors that the Indians of Costa Rica wore around their necks. He was amazed by the many gold mines along the coast of the country. As a result, he named the area the “Rich Coast” which translates to Costa Rica.
Rich Land – what does it mean?
It was a rich land, though not in the mineral wealth to which Columbus aspired. Instead, it was, and still is, rich in animal and plant life, rich in forests, mountains, rivers, swamps and grasslands, volcanoes, rain forests, etc. An astonishing 27% of Costa Rica is a national park, biological reserve, wild refuge, or some other category of the protected area, both private and public.
No other country in the world comes even close to such a statistic. There are many amazing facts about Costa Rica’s natural abundance. Even though, the country is pretty small the country contains 5% of all of the plant and animal species on the planet. In total this numbers somewhere between 500,000 and a million, species of flora and fauna including: 50,000 species of insects, over 1,000 species of orchids, 800 ferns (more than in all of North America and Mexico); 208 species of mammals; 850 species of birds; 200 species of reptiles (half of which are snakes) and thousands of species of moths and butterflies.
This amazing natural beauty is what makes Costa Rica one of the top countries for real estate investments. The quality of life that Costa Rica offers attracts hundreds of retirees and ex-pats. Our goal is to show you the beauties of Costa Rica and we’re certain you and your family will fall in love with the country just like Christopher Columbus did.
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