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Facts on Costa Rica
San Jose Travel Tip
Courtesy Costa Rica Adventures
Author Edwina Arnold
* Contrary to popular belief, pre-Columbian civilization did not bypass Costa
Rica. A burial site has been found in the northern lowland region of Sarapigui on the
property of the Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui in Heredia. The find so far includes four
large tombs dating from 800 to 1500 and pottery fragments. Preliminary indications
point to the Votos culture, an indigenous group that occupied the area until the 15th
century. Ceramic burial offerings and adornments are also expected to be uncovered.
* a mushroom smell like an apricot? When it comes from the high oak forests of Costa
Rica. In this region, range mushrooms carry the scent of apricots to male noses.
* School teachers out number policemen 4 to 1 (40,000 teachers Vs 11,500
policemen). 4% of Costa Rica's national budget is used for public security.
* The literacy rate is 96.6%
* 6 % of the national budget is allotted to education and health care. Costa Rica has
no army, navy or airforce
* largest maternity ward in the world. An average of 100,000 turtle eggs are laid
within a 24-hour period by Olive Ridley sea turtles at Playa Ostional during an
arribada (arrival). These arrivals take place 4 to 10 times from July through
November when thousands of turtles come ashore for a mass egg-laying event.
* newly hatched turtles on Tortuguero's beaches return safely to the ocean.
* 122 species of hummingbirds live in North, Central and South America. Costa Rica
is home to 52 species, the USA 18 species.
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