History of Costa Rica

The native Mesoamerican peoples of what is now Costa Rica were conquered by Spain in the 16th century. Costa Rica was then the southern-most province in the Spanish colony of New Spain. The provincial capital was in Cartago.

After a brief time in the Mexican Empire of Augustin de Iturbide (see: History of Mexico) Costa Rica became a state in the United States of Central America (see: History of Central America) from 1823 to 1839. In 1824 the capital was moved to San José. From the 1840s on Costa Rica was an independent nation.

Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread. Tourism is a rapidly expanding industry.

See also : Costa Rica