Illegal immigration is a huge problem for Costa Rica.
To the north of Costa Rica is Nicaragua, which happens to be the 2nd poorest country in Central America, second only to Costa Rica. As a result, many Nicaraguans migrate to Costa Rica to make a better life for themselves. They take jobs nobody really wants, like construction and janitorial work, much like in the US.
Costa Rican citizens are not very happy about the immigrants. Costa Ricans blame Nicaraguans and other foreigners for all manner of ills. This reflects the attitudes that many Americans tend to have about the illegal immigrants that come here.
Nicaraguans are not the only people immigrating to Costa Rica, but they are the main source of immigrants. The second main source appears to be El Salvador.
SOURCES:
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-12-30-foreignimmigration30_ST_N.htm?csp=34news
http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/where-we-work/americas/central-and-north-america-and-th/costa-rica.html
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Costa-Rica-MIGRATION.html
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/costa-rica/net-migration-wb-data.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/mar/23/world/fg-costa23
http://geocurrents.info/place/latin-america/migration-and-diplomatic-tensions-in-costa-rica
Friday, May 17, 2013
Drug Trafficking
What country doesn't have problems with drug trafficking?
It's no surprise, Costa Rica has had issues with it lately.
Cocaine trafficking is the main concern.
Colombian and Mexican drug cartels are now using Costa Rica as a transit point and the country now joins Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
"Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry says the country’s antidrug police seized 15.5 tons of cocaine in 2012, worth more than $2 billion on the street in the United States. That was more than doubled the amount seized the previous year."
Wow. That's just insane to me. Drugs contribute to violent crimes. This accompanied by prostitution are big problems.
SOURCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/costa-rica-drug-trafficking_n_1778086.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324784404578145042469524504.html
http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/cartels-turning-costa-rica-into-major-drug-trafficking-transit-point
It's no surprise, Costa Rica has had issues with it lately.
Cocaine trafficking is the main concern.
Colombian and Mexican drug cartels are now using Costa Rica as a transit point and the country now joins Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
"Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry says the country’s antidrug police seized 15.5 tons of cocaine in 2012, worth more than $2 billion on the street in the United States. That was more than doubled the amount seized the previous year."
Wow. That's just insane to me. Drugs contribute to violent crimes. This accompanied by prostitution are big problems.
SOURCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/costa-rica-drug-trafficking_n_1778086.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324784404578145042469524504.html
http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/cartels-turning-costa-rica-into-major-drug-trafficking-transit-point
Carbon Neutrality plans
Costa Rica has plans to become the first carbon-neutral nation in the world. There are plans in motion to achieve this goal by the year 2021.
What does Carbon Neutrality mean? It refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference.
Currently, Costa Rica has a relatively low carbon footprint, if you saw the Happy Planet Index post, you will see what I mean.
Environment and Energy Minister Roberto Dobles said Costa Rica aims to reach this goal using budgeting, laws, and incentives, including measures to promote biofuels, hybrid vehicles, and clean energy.
Costa Rica's plans have inspired other countries to become carbon neutral as well. Norway and New Zealand are both planning to become carbon neutral by 2050.
SOURCES
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4958
http://www.ticotimes.net/Obama-in-C.R/Top-Story/A-first-step-toward-carbon-neutrality_Friday-October-19-2012
http://environment.harvard.edu/news/huce-headlines/costa-rica-takes-carbon-neutrality-challenge
What does Carbon Neutrality mean? It refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference.
Currently, Costa Rica has a relatively low carbon footprint, if you saw the Happy Planet Index post, you will see what I mean.
Environment and Energy Minister Roberto Dobles said Costa Rica aims to reach this goal using budgeting, laws, and incentives, including measures to promote biofuels, hybrid vehicles, and clean energy.
Costa Rica's plans have inspired other countries to become carbon neutral as well. Norway and New Zealand are both planning to become carbon neutral by 2050.
SOURCES
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4958
http://www.ticotimes.net/Obama-in-C.R/Top-Story/A-first-step-toward-carbon-neutrality_Friday-October-19-2012
http://environment.harvard.edu/news/huce-headlines/costa-rica-takes-carbon-neutrality-challenge
Health Care in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has universal health care provided through the government through the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), and it is available to all citizens. Foreign residents and visitors can join the CCSS by paying a small monthly fee based on their income.
A wide variety of medicine in Costa Rica is available without prescription. Many health problems can be diagnosed by pharmacists, so hospital visits are not a real necessity unless surgery is required.
As a result of such a good health care program, the life expectancy for Costa Ricans is 79 years old. Costa Rica has the second highest life expectancy, second only to Canada. Many people do choose to retire in Costa Rica though, so I wonder if that is why the life expectancy is so high.
I wonder what it would be like if the United States adopted such a health plan.
SOURCES:
http://internationalliving.com/2010/03/12-rush-limbaugh-costa-rica-health-care/
http://www.coldwellbankerbeachproperties.com/useful_information/living_in_costa_rica/healthcare_in_costa_rica
http://www.therealcostarica.com/living_in_costa_rica/retire_in_costa_rica.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Costa_Rica
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzan-haskins-and-dan-prescher/best-places-to-retire-why-costa-rica-remains_b_2583079.html
A wide variety of medicine in Costa Rica is available without prescription. Many health problems can be diagnosed by pharmacists, so hospital visits are not a real necessity unless surgery is required.
As a result of such a good health care program, the life expectancy for Costa Ricans is 79 years old. Costa Rica has the second highest life expectancy, second only to Canada. Many people do choose to retire in Costa Rica though, so I wonder if that is why the life expectancy is so high.
I wonder what it would be like if the United States adopted such a health plan.
SOURCES:
http://internationalliving.com/2010/03/12-rush-limbaugh-costa-rica-health-care/
http://www.coldwellbankerbeachproperties.com/useful_information/living_in_costa_rica/healthcare_in_costa_rica
http://www.therealcostarica.com/living_in_costa_rica/retire_in_costa_rica.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Costa_Rica
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzan-haskins-and-dan-prescher/best-places-to-retire-why-costa-rica-remains_b_2583079.html
Sunday, May 5, 2013
President Obama's visit to Costa Rica!
Above: President of the United States, Barack Obama, and President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla
May 3, 3013
The president of the United States stopped by Mexico and Costa Rica to strengthen ties with Latin America.
There was a joint press conference held by the presidents of the US and of Costa Rica where they discussed 6 main topics.
One of the topics discussed was the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Obama praised Costa Rica for being a pioneer in sustainability and green living.
SOURCES:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2013/05/04/president-obama-s-visit-costa-rica
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/04/remarks-president-obama-meeting-business-leaders
http://www.ticotimes.net/Obama-in-C.R/News-Briefs/Obama-promises-renewed-ties-with-Central-America-on-first-of-2-day-summit_Saturday-May-04-2013
http://www.ticotimes.net/Obama-in-C.R/News-Briefs/Obama-to-discuss-drug-war-trade-in-Central-America_Friday-May-03-2013
Canopy Tours in Costa Rica
After the grim topic of the last post, I thought this would lighten things up.
There are tours offered in Costa Rica where one can take a zip line through the rain forests!
There are actually many companies that offer this service.
This picture was taken by somebody on a zipline :)
SOURCE:
http://captainkimo.com/costa-rica-canopy-tour/
and here is a video
I sound like an advertisement, but really I'm just amazed by this and what humans can do :)
There are tours offered in Costa Rica where one can take a zip line through the rain forests!
There are actually many companies that offer this service.
This picture was taken by somebody on a zipline :)
SOURCE:
http://captainkimo.com/costa-rica-canopy-tour/
and here is a video
I sound like an advertisement, but really I'm just amazed by this and what humans can do :)
Same Sex Marriage in Costa Rica?
The above video is the president of Costa Rica talking about her opinions about homosexual marriage. She basically says there are other ways than marriage to allow homosexuals to have the same rights as heterosexual people. It does not look like gay marriage will be something that the country will have, at least it won't be called that, but would have the same rights as marriage.
It's really just confusing to me. Why call it something else, when it will essentially be the same thing as marriage? I believe that it is purely to do with the country being Catholic. But it is ironic because prostitution is legal in such a religious place...
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Costa_Rica
http://news.co.cr/gay-marriage-bill-in-costa-rica-stifled-again/21322/
Average Family Size Declining in Costa Rica
Something I found really interesting is that the average family size is declining in Costa Rica.
These are the quotes I found:
"Today Costa Rica has an average of 1.82 children born to each woman, which is below the 2.1 “replacement rate” needed to keep the population steady. Experts are eyeing the rate to see if it falls to levels below 1.5 that raised alarm in some European countries.
As more Costa Rican women gain higher education and enter the workforce—or rise to the presidency like Laura Chinchilla—they are increasingly putting careers first. " - (www.americasquarterly.org/node/3170)
and
"The country's population is believed to have surpassed the 3 million mark in the last couple of years. Family size is declining steadily with parents who are now in their thirties having only 2 or 3 children, whereas they themselves come from families of 8 or 9. It would not be at all uncommon for their grandparents to have 12 or 14 siblings. The annual population growth rate is now at 2.3 percent. Another major factor adding to the steady increase of the population has been a regular stream of illegal immigrants from Nicaragua, which has extremely high unemployment." - (http://www.worldheadquarters.com/cr/people/)
Those are some huge birth number drops! It is interesting that one of the reasons for it is that women are getting more educated. However with the birth rate decreasing, there are immigrants coming in from Nicaragua which is adding to the population growth.
These are the quotes I found:
"Today Costa Rica has an average of 1.82 children born to each woman, which is below the 2.1 “replacement rate” needed to keep the population steady. Experts are eyeing the rate to see if it falls to levels below 1.5 that raised alarm in some European countries.
As more Costa Rican women gain higher education and enter the workforce—or rise to the presidency like Laura Chinchilla—they are increasingly putting careers first. " - (www.americasquarterly.org/node/3170)
and
"The country's population is believed to have surpassed the 3 million mark in the last couple of years. Family size is declining steadily with parents who are now in their thirties having only 2 or 3 children, whereas they themselves come from families of 8 or 9. It would not be at all uncommon for their grandparents to have 12 or 14 siblings. The annual population growth rate is now at 2.3 percent. Another major factor adding to the steady increase of the population has been a regular stream of illegal immigrants from Nicaragua, which has extremely high unemployment." - (http://www.worldheadquarters.com/cr/people/)
Those are some huge birth number drops! It is interesting that one of the reasons for it is that women are getting more educated. However with the birth rate decreasing, there are immigrants coming in from Nicaragua which is adding to the population growth.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Costa Rica has not had an army for 64+ years
Costa Rica has not had a military since December 1, 1948.
"The money that was formerly spent on the military is now spent on education and universal health care and has had a tremendous effect on human development for the average Costa Rican."
I think that more countries should do this. I know it is an impossibility, but it seems to be working very well for Costa Rica.
SOURCES:
http://www.liveincostarica.com/blog/2008/12/60-years-with-no-army-in-costa-rica-wow.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Costa_Rica
"The money that was formerly spent on the military is now spent on education and universal health care and has had a tremendous effect on human development for the average Costa Rican."
I think that more countries should do this. I know it is an impossibility, but it seems to be working very well for Costa Rica.
SOURCES:
http://www.liveincostarica.com/blog/2008/12/60-years-with-no-army-in-costa-rica-wow.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Costa_Rica
The Silicon Valley of Latin America
This was actually really surprising to me. Costa Rica's number 1 export is microchips. For a long time, their number one exports were agricultural goods, like bananas or coffee.
SOURCES:
http://www.property-in-costarica.com/costa-rica-economy.html
http://costarica.usembassy.gov/economic-development.html
Costa Rican Indigenous Peoples
There are a few indigenous tribes in Costa Rica
Boruca - The tribe has about 2,660 members and they live on reservation in southwestern Costa Rica
Chorotega (The Matambú) -Fled to Costa Rica from southern Mexico, related to the Mayans.
Guaymi (The Ngabe) - These are near the Panama border and are the tribe with the most people with 200,000 - 250,000 estimated.
Bribri - 12,200 people were recorded in 2000, but the numbers are thought to have gone up to 35,000.
From Wikipedia "The Bribri social structure is organized in Clans. Each clan is composed of an extended family. The clan system is matrilineal, that is, a child's clan is determined by the clan his or her mother belongs to. This gives women a very important place in Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao (Theobrma cacao) drink that is essential for their rituals. Men's roles are defined by their clan, and often are exclusive for men. Examples of these roles are the "awa" or shaman, and the "oko", the only person allowed to touch the remains of the dead, sing funeral songs, and prepare the food eaten at funerals."
All these indigenous tribes together only make up 1% of Costa Rica's population.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boruca_people
http://galerianamu.com/blog/tribal-masks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_Costa_Rica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribri_people
Boruca - The tribe has about 2,660 members and they live on reservation in southwestern Costa Rica
Chorotega (The Matambú) -Fled to Costa Rica from southern Mexico, related to the Mayans.
Guaymi (The Ngabe) - These are near the Panama border and are the tribe with the most people with 200,000 - 250,000 estimated.
Bribri - 12,200 people were recorded in 2000, but the numbers are thought to have gone up to 35,000.
From Wikipedia "The Bribri social structure is organized in Clans. Each clan is composed of an extended family. The clan system is matrilineal, that is, a child's clan is determined by the clan his or her mother belongs to. This gives women a very important place in Bribri society since they are the only ones that can inherit land and prepare the sacred cacao (Theobrma cacao) drink that is essential for their rituals. Men's roles are defined by their clan, and often are exclusive for men. Examples of these roles are the "awa" or shaman, and the "oko", the only person allowed to touch the remains of the dead, sing funeral songs, and prepare the food eaten at funerals."
All these indigenous tribes together only make up 1% of Costa Rica's population.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boruca_people
http://galerianamu.com/blog/tribal-masks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_Costa_Rica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bribri_people
Today,
Costa Ricans are largely of European descent and an estimated 10% of the
country’s population is Nicaraguan. Local indigenous tribes – Boruca,
Chorotega, Guaymi, Bribri, Kekoldi and Cabecar – account for a mere 1%
of the total population. - See more at:
http://costarica.com/travel/10-interesting-facts/#sthash.Cn2Hy4W5.dpuf
Today,
Costa Ricans are largely of European descent and an estimated 10% of the
country’s population is Nicaraguan. Local indigenous tribes – Boruca,
Chorotega, Guaymi, Bribri, Kekoldi and Cabecar – account for a mere 1%
of the total population. - See more at:
http://costarica.com/travel/10-interesting-facts/#sthash.Cn2Hy4W5.dpuf
Today,
Costa Ricans are largely of European descent and an estimated 10% of the
country’s population is Nicaraguan. Local indigenous tribes – Boruca,
Chorotega, Guaymi, Bribri, Kekoldi and Cabecar – account for a mere 1%
of the total population. - See more at:
http://costarica.com/travel/10-interesting-facts/#sthash.Cn2Hy4W5.dpuf
Today,
Costa Ricans are largely of European descent and an estimated 10% of the
country’s population is Nicaraguan. Local indigenous tribes – Boruca,
Chorotega, Guaymi, Bribri, Kekoldi and Cabecar – account for a mere 1%
of the total population. - See more at:
http://costarica.com/travel/10-interesting-facts/#sthash.Cn2Hy4W5.dpuf
Women's Rights in Costa Rica
First off, I think it is a good sign for women's rights that Costa Rica's current president is a woman. This is a picture of Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla Miranda.
She is the first woman president of Costa Rica and was elected in 2010, and the 6th female president to be elected in Latin America
President Chinchilla has stated “Women continue receiving less salary for the same kind of job,” in a 2011 Forbes interview. “Women have a higher unemployment rate in our country. When you analyze the composition of poverty, you will find that most of the families in poverty are being run by a woman. Also, a big issue is violence against women.” (Source 1)
Other facts:
Women in Costa Rica make 90% of what men earn at work. That's actually pretty good, but their unemployment rate is higher.
The enrollment and attendance rate is higher for girls in primary and secondary schools than is is for boys.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The president mentioned that violence against women is an issue, so I looked it up. I found that men use stupid excuses to justify their violence. Groups blame sexual violence on the way that women dress or act. This has led to there being political protests in the form of "Slut Walks." I think that it is awesome that they are able to have this kind of protest. If women were to attempt this sort of thing in Middle Eastern countries, they'd probably be shot.
Costa Rica is a Roman Catholic country. It is not socially accepted that women are as sexual as men are. Abortions in Costa Rica are illegal. The president is against legalizing the morning after pill.
SOURCES:
http://www.peacexpeace.org/2012/09/costa-rica-a-good-place-to-be-a-woman/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Chinchilla
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/latino-daily-news/details/take-a-look-at-costa-ricas-own-slut-walk-video/9667/
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/08/19/costa-rica-slut-walk-discussions-on-religion-and-womens-rights/
President Chinchilla has stated “Women continue receiving less salary for the same kind of job,” in a 2011 Forbes interview. “Women have a higher unemployment rate in our country. When you analyze the composition of poverty, you will find that most of the families in poverty are being run by a woman. Also, a big issue is violence against women.” (Source 1)
Other facts:
Women in Costa Rica make 90% of what men earn at work. That's actually pretty good, but their unemployment rate is higher.
The enrollment and attendance rate is higher for girls in primary and secondary schools than is is for boys.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The president mentioned that violence against women is an issue, so I looked it up. I found that men use stupid excuses to justify their violence. Groups blame sexual violence on the way that women dress or act. This has led to there being political protests in the form of "Slut Walks." I think that it is awesome that they are able to have this kind of protest. If women were to attempt this sort of thing in Middle Eastern countries, they'd probably be shot.
Costa Rica is a Roman Catholic country. It is not socially accepted that women are as sexual as men are. Abortions in Costa Rica are illegal. The president is against legalizing the morning after pill.
SOURCES:
http://www.peacexpeace.org/2012/09/costa-rica-a-good-place-to-be-a-woman/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Chinchilla
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/latino-daily-news/details/take-a-look-at-costa-ricas-own-slut-walk-video/9667/
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/08/19/costa-rica-slut-walk-discussions-on-religion-and-womens-rights/
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The happiest place on Earth
According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is number 1 happiest country!
Vietnam and Colombia come in second and third.
http://www.happyplanetindex.org/countries/costa-rica/
SOURCES:
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/costa-rica-tops-happy-planet-index-u-s-ranked-dismal105th-place-large-ecological-footprint-article-1.1095831
http://www.forbes.com/sites/traceygreenstein/2012/10/01/take-a-trip-to-the-happiest-country-on-earth/
http://www.happyplanetindex.org/data/
Monday, February 4, 2013
Introduction
This blog is for an assignment in my class on The Anthropology of Latin America.
I chose Costa Rica because I've seen it mentioned as one of the prettiest places and wanted to learn more about it. I know basically nothing about Costa Rica, currently. What I do know is that it is located somewhere in Central America, people speak Spanish there (the country's name means "Rich Coast" in Spanish), it has sloths, and it looks really green and tropical from all the pictures I have seen.
After doing some searching on the internet, this is what I have learned.
Location:
Towards the bottom of Central America, sandwiched between two countries, south of Nicaragua and north of Panama.
Population:
According to wikipedia, the 2011 census reported 4,301,712 people.
Languages Spoken:
The official language is Spanish, and there are two recognized regional languages, Mekatelyu, and Bribri.
Capital:
San Jose, located in the center of the country.
Official Religion:
Catholicism
Official Sport:
Futbol (Soccer)
Random Info:
~ There are many volcanoes in Costa Rica, 6 active and 61 dormant.
~ There is a famous sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica as well.
I chose Costa Rica because I've seen it mentioned as one of the prettiest places and wanted to learn more about it. I know basically nothing about Costa Rica, currently. What I do know is that it is located somewhere in Central America, people speak Spanish there (the country's name means "Rich Coast" in Spanish), it has sloths, and it looks really green and tropical from all the pictures I have seen.
After doing some searching on the internet, this is what I have learned.
Location:
Towards the bottom of Central America, sandwiched between two countries, south of Nicaragua and north of Panama.
Population:
According to wikipedia, the 2011 census reported 4,301,712 people.
Languages Spoken:
The official language is Spanish, and there are two recognized regional languages, Mekatelyu, and Bribri.
Capital:
San Jose, located in the center of the country.
Official Religion:
Catholicism
Official Sport:
Futbol (Soccer)
Random Info:
~ There are many volcanoes in Costa Rica, 6 active and 61 dormant.
~ There is a famous sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica as well.
Flag of Costa Rica
A cute video of the sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica.
Various animals from Costa Rica.
Arenal Volcano of Costa Rica
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