Administrative divisions
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose |
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Capital city > Geographic coordinates
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9 56 N, 84 05 W |
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Definition: Government > Capital city > Geographic coordinates |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Constitution
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7 November 1949 |
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Definition: Government > Constitution |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Corruption
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4.2 |
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[51st of 160]
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Definition: Government > Corruption |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address
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APO AA 34020 |
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Definition: Government > Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address |
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Source: Transparency International |
Executive branch > Cabinet
Cabinet selected by the president |
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Definition: Government > Executive branch > Cabinet |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Executive branch > Chief of state
President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
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Definition: Government > Executive branch > Chief of state |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Flag description
five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA |
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Definition: Government > Flag description |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Government type
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democratic republic |
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Definition: Government > Government type |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain) |
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Definition: Government > Independence |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Judicial branch
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) |
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Definition: Government > Judicial branch |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Legal system
based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Definition: Government > Legal system |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) |
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Definition: Government > Legislative branch |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Parliamentary seats > Female
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19% |
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[23rd of 143]
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Definition: Government > Parliamentary seats > Female |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Political parties and leaders
Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Epsy CAMPBELL Barr]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Marco NUNEZ Gonzalez]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO Fernandez]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Fabio Enrique DELGADO Hernandez]; National Union Party or PUN [Arturo ACOSTA Mora]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Jose Miguel CORRALES Bolanos]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FISHMAN Zonzinski]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] |
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Definition: Government > Political parties and leaders |
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Source: United Nations World Statistics Pocketbook and Statistical Yearbook |
Status
democracy |
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Definition: Government > Status |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory |
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Definition: Government > Suffrage |
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Source: electionworld.org |
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Time required to start a business > days
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77 days
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[20th of 171]
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Definition: Government > Time required to start a business > days |
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Source: All CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 18 December 2008 |
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Trademarks, residents
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2,942
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[39th of 98]
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Definition: Government > Trademarks, residents |
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Source: World Development Indicators database |
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International
the ICJ has given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty |
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Definition: Government > Transnational Issues > Disputes > International |
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Source: World Development Indicators database |
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