Natural Resources & Their Use

Business This Is The Generation

Natural Resources & Their Use

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Business - Numbers & Statistics


Area

Area (including
Isla del Coco)
Square miles Square kilometers
Total 19,730 51,100-51,200
Land 19,560 50,660
Comparative slightly smaller than West Virginia, U.S.A


Boundaries

Boundaries Miles Kilometers
Total Land 390 639
Nicaragua (to the north) 188.5 309
Panama (to the south) 201.3 330
Coastline 787 1,290


Major Geographic Features

Major Geographic Features Details
Isthmus 121 km. (74 mi.) wide at narrowest point
Mountain Ranges Two traverse the isthmus
Meseta Central Plateau (coastal plain) Enclosed by rugged mountains
Protected wildlife areas 30% of the national territory
Biodiversity Costa Rica has 5% of the world's biodiversity; One of the highest concentrations on the planet


Climate, Zones, & Seasons

Climate Zones Seasons
Tropical Torrid, <3000 ft. elevation
Temperate, >3000 ft. & <6000 ft.
Cool, > 6000 ft. elevation
Dry, December to April
Rainy, May to November


Temperatures

Centigrade (°C) Fahrenheit (F)
Locations
21  69.8 Annual average San Jose (capital)
25 to 35  77 to 95 Hot coastal zone
15 to 25 59 to 77 Moderate zone
< 15  < 59 Higher elevations



Precipitation and Natural Resources 

Annual rainfall ~77 inches in central plateau
Natural Resources Hydropower Potential


Land Use

Land Use %
Meadows & Pastures 45.00%
Forest & Woodland 34.00%
Other 8.00%
Permanent Crops 7.00%
Arable Land 6.00%
Total 100.00%

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