Costa Rica Conservation History

27 percent of Costa Rica is designated as national parks, or other forms of protected areas. Alone in the world in having these staggering conservation statistics, Costa Rica stands as an example of how conservation can benefit both the economy and the people. Yet this example is not perfect, and there are growth related issues that threaten the fine balance that Costa Rica finds itself in.

Costa Rica’s Conservation History is one of both heroes and villains caught in a drama of ideals and sacrifice. In the onset, one of the earliest conservationists was Nils Olaf Wesseberg and his wife Mongensen Fischer, who came to Costa Rica in the mid 1950’s. Coming from Sweden and looking for a life more connected with nature, they purchased a farm in Nicoya near Montezuma. Committed to the naturalist way of life, they built their home out of palm leaves to reinforce their determination to live in harmony with nature. But even in this remote part of the world, progress still caught up to them. They watched in dismay as virgin forest began to be cut down around them. As a response, Nils became an activist, working ferociously to raise money to buy land and preserve it.

After 3 years of hard work and over 1,000 pages of letters, he raised the money ($30,000 USD) he needed to buy the 3,000 acres that constitute the Cabo Blanco Strict Nature Reserve in Nicoya, Costa Rica. The success he experienced here was short lived. In the process of trying to start another Nature Reserve in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, he was murdered by those who would benefit from stopping his work. Today a plaque inside the Cabo Blanco Strict Natural Reserve honors the ultimate sacrifice he made as he pursued the ideals of conservation. In 2004, a new reserve was established near Montezuma, and was named after his wife, Karen Mogensen Fischer, who was also a fervent naturalist.

Another hero in Costa Rica’s Conservation History was Mario Boza. A student of forestry in Costa Rica, he put his conservation ideas to work in the founding of Costa Rica’s first National Park in Santa Rosa. In 1969 the new forestry law created the Santa Rosa National Park, as well as the Department of National Parks. But challenges still were present. With little funding available and a shortage of personnel to enforce the new laws, the land continued to be used in the manner it had been in the past. Ranchers hungered for more land for pasture. Squatters looked for places to establish their homes. Both used the technique of slash and burn to clear the land, which continued to diminish the newly established National Park and the laws set in place to protect it.

Because of his inability to stop the destruction through the established bureaucratic channels, Mario Boza pleaded directly to the people for support. By using the press he was able to generate public outrage at the burning of he newly formed national park. The outcome was that the national park officials received the authority needed to move out squatters as well as to protect the land from the growth needs of the ranchers and agriculturists.

Precedence began to be established of a culture that valued their natural parks. The Costa Rican President, Rodrigo Carazo (1978- 1982), called the countries national parks “splendid natural laboratories which we offer tot the international community and also to children, young people and adults who should not be denied the joy of direct contact with nature in its pristine state. All of this represents the contribution of the Costa Rican people to peace among men and goodwill among nations.”

Through out the years great effort has been taken to take conservation directly to the people through education. The truth is that cooperation is essential for the survival of these natural habitats. Education and support was needed to be provided to the people most directly affected by the turning of land into National Parks. For example, the custom of hunting species that are now protected had to be changed. Large animals such as jaguars and pumas, need a lare amount of territory to survive. Imagine he challenge of convincing people not to kill them even though they constitute a constant threat to livestock. This is an enormous undertaking, and often a thankless task.

Still new hope has been provided by the support of the international community, who provide revenue to these conservation efforts by visiting and staying in the National Parks, as well as learning the inner working and needs of these conservation efforts. Also support comes through many national and international foundations working on Costa Rica to further the cause.

Yet the future is still as unclear as when Neil Olaf Wesseberg set out to make history. Because of Costa Rica’s reputation as a safe democratic place, there is an overflow of foreign and domestic investments pushing for greater economic growth. In the end who will win… the conservationists or the economic-development-at-all-costs forces? The balance between the two is fragile, and only constant vigilance and cooperation will ensure the future of this amazing naturalist experiment which is Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Surfing is considered some of the best in the world. Ranked in the top four, along with California, Hawaii, and Australia, Costa Rica Surfing has much to offer to surfers of all levels. With point and beach breaks, lefts and rights, reefs and river mouths, and year-round waves, Costa Rica Surfing makes Costa Rica a prime destination for surfers all across the world.

If you look at a map of Costa Rica, you will see that there are masses of beaches an coastline, yet few access roads to spots for Costa Rica Surfing. There are 200km (120 miles) of Atlantic coast and 1000km (630 miles) of Pacific Coast, with uncountable places for excellent Costa Rica Surfing. There are also great numerous beaches exposed to ocean swells coming from many directions, adding to the diversity of Costa Rica Surfing. Much of the coast is away from civilization, so there may be no facilities, food or emergency facilities with in many miles. If you are to explore the out of the way spots for Costa Rica Surfing, 4×4 transportation is highly recommended.

At the same time, for the not so gun-ho Costa Rica Surfing enthusiast who also seeks comfort after enjoying Costa Rica Surfing, there are plenty of places available in the more visited areas for Costa Rica Surfing. Rental and lessons are readily available to all experience levels as well as some excellent Surf Camps for individuals and/or groups.

When it comes to Costa Rica Surfing, there is one this that you can be guaranteed on. There is a wave somewhere waiting for you to ride it, all year long…

The History in Costa Rica began as far back as 12,000 BC. Costa Rica History has expanded to the modern age creating a culture of diversity, peace, and environmental awareness. Costa Rica has in its History the story of a nation searching for its identity. From before the time that Columbus landed in Costa Rica in 1502, to when it received its independence by mail, to today where it stands as a pillar of peace in a sometimes unstable Central America… Costa Rica History has shown that the honorable people of Costa Rica have always been up to the challenge of building a better Costa Rica. Costa Rica History is marked by the fight for social rights for workers, as well as the struggle to become and maintain the status of “unarmed neutrality”. Below is a quick outline of Costa Rica History, as well as related links and articles. If you would like to write an article on the History of Costa Rica, and have it published on this site, please contact us via email, with Costa Rica History as the subject. Thank you…

A Time Line of Costa Rica History

Costa Rica History 12,000-4000 BC: First signs of inhabitance by humans in Central America and the beginning of Costa Rica History: Diverse languages and cultures were developed by hunter-gatherer tribes, creating small chiefdoms on their southward migration.

Costa Rica History 4000-1000 BC: Earliest settlements in Costa Rica History, established based on crop cultivation (included maize, yucca and cotton).

Costa Rica History 1000 BC- 1500 AD: Time period of growth and expansion of organized farming communities, connected by trade links with each other reaching as far as the Chibcha people of South America. Five major native cultural groups predominated in Costa Rica at the time of the Spaniards arrival. The original names of these tribes were lost in Costa Rica History, and what remains is the name given to them by the Spaniards. Their names were the Carib, the Baruca, the Nahua, the Corobici, and the Chortega. The Corobice were the oldest native group in Costa Rica. The Chortega, based out of the Nicoya Peninsula were said to be the most advanced.

Costa Rica History 1502: This is the date that Cristóbal Colon (Christopher Columbus) lands on the island of Uvita and drops anchor for two weeks. This is a great turn in Costa Rica History. The first tribe to encounter the exploring Spaniards was the Cariari tribe.

Costa Rica History 1519-60: This was a time of exploration in Costa Rica History. The Spanish explored both coastlines but made no lasting settlements.

Costa Rica History 1561: The first colonial town in Costa Rica History is founded by Juan Cavallón, and important person in Costa Rica History. The name of the town was Castillo de Garcimuñoz, founded in the area of Costa Rica known as the Valle Central (the Central Valley). This town is relocated several times until becoming present day Cartago.

Costa Rica History 1562: Another important character in Costa Rica History, Juan Vazquez de Coronado, explores the Valle Central and is famous in Costa Rica History for employing peaceful strategies to convert the indigenous people and follow colonial rule and presence. He experienced a mixture of success and failure.

Costa Rica History 1572: This is considered in Costa Rica History as the beginning of the Colonial Period. This time in Costa Rica was faced with a continual shortage of labor. This compiled with the lack of mineral resources (gold), kept the colony poor for the next 250 years of Costa Rica History, and largely ignored by the Kingdom of Spain.

Costa Rica History 1660-1670: A turning point for the economy in Costa Rica History. Cacao plantations across the Atlantic coast bring the colony its first revenues. This is the time in Costa Rica History when the Atlantic coast was plagued by pirates, in search to grow their treasures.

Costa Rica History 1723: A true tragedy strikes in Costa Rica History. The capital of Costa Rica at that time, Cartago, is destroyed by the erupting Irazu Volcano.

Costa Rica History 1787: To help Costa Rica and its settlers find new ways to generate revenue, Costa Rica is given the exclusive right in Central America to grow tobacco.

Costa Rica History 1821: Not in Costa Rica, but directly affecting Costa Rica History, Guatemala declares independence from Spain.

Costa Rica History 1821: Ocotober 13, 1821, Costa Rica received independence from Spain by mail (nearly a month after Guatemala City officials declared independence for Costa Rica.)

Costa Rica History 1823: Costa Rica History experiences civil war, raging between the Imperialist (conservative) leaders of Cartago and Heredia, and the Republican (liberistas) of San Jose and Alajuela. This dispute in Costa Rica History concerns the conservatives goal of joining the Mexican Empire and the liberistas drive to secure Costa Rica in the short-lived United Provinces of Central America. Cartago is replaced by San Jose as the national Capital .

Costa Rica History 1824: First head of state in Costa Rica History is declared by the government in Costa Rica. Juan Mora Fernandez was the head of Costa Rica until 1833.

Costa Rica History 1825: First Constitution of Costa Rica is passed by Congress.

Costa Rica History 1832: Another turning point for the economy in Costa Rica History. Costa Rica has its first coffee exports to Europe.

Costa Rica History 1835: Braulio Carrillo becomes president of Costa Rica. He is known in Costa Rica History as using dictator like tactics to introduce his liberal reforms. The reforms being unpopular in some groups, enticed another Civil War in Costa Rica History. A league formed by factions in Heredia, Cartago, and Alajuela declare war on San Jose, eventually taking the Capital of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica History 1838: United Provinces of Central America collapses. President of Costa Rica declares an Independent Republic of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica History 1849: Juan Rafael Mora becomes president of Costa Rica, and is reelected a couple more times through out Costa Rica History (1853 and 1859). Coffee exports increase dramatically during this time in Costa Rica History.

Costa Rica History 1858: Defeat of William Walker, American freebooter who wants to turn Costa Rica into a colony for the American South. His final defeat by Costa Rica troops in Rivas, Nicaragua is an important date in Costa Rica History.

Costa Rica History 1870: Tomas Guardia Guiterrez takes over Costa Rica after another military coup in Costa Rica History. He introduces a new liberal constitution for Costa Rica, and remains in office through 1882.

Costa Rica History 1871: Rail Road in Costa Rica is begun.

Costa Rica History 1880: Another turning point for the Economy in Costa Rica History. First Banana exports.

Costa Rica History 1882: Costa Rica death penalty is abolished.

Costa Rica History 1886: Costa Rica introduces mandatory education.

Costa Rica History 1887: Clodomire Picado is born in Costa Rica. Won a place in Costa Rica History for being instrumental in the discovery of penicillin, vaccines, and snakebite anti-venom.

Costa Rica History 1890: Costa Rica experiences free and honest democratic elections. This were the first in Costa Rica History, as well as the rest of Central America. Jose Joaquin Rodriguez becomes president of Costa Rica. The Costa Rica Atlantic railroad, from Cartago to Limon is completed.

Costa Rica History 1914-1918: Another turning point for the Economy in Costa Rica History. Costa Rica experiences economic recession due to World War I.

Costa Rica History 1917: Another military coup in Costa Rica History. Federico A. Tinoco takes power with support from the Coffee oligarchy. Another military coup in Costa Rica History 2 years later ends his dictatorship.

Costa Rica History 1932: Costa Rica experiences world economic recession.

Costa Rica History 1934: Costa Rica History is marked by concessions won by laborers of the United Fruit Company, through labor strikes. These concessions included the right to strike and minimum wages.

Costa Rica History 1939-1945: Another turning point for the Economy in Costa Rica History. Costa Rica experiences economic recession due to World War II. After declaring war on Japan, Italy and Germany, Costa Rica History is scared by the dispossession and deportation of Italian and German citizens alike.

Costa Rica History 1940-1944: Rafael Calderon, President of Costa Rica, implements new social reforms for the people of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica History 1945: A great change looms in Costa Rica History. The Costa Rica Social Democratic Party (PSD) is founded. Under the influence of a very important person in Costa Rica History, (Don Pepe) Jose Figueres, it later becomes the Costa Rica Partido de Liberacion Nacional (PLN).

Costa Rica History 1948: Civil War breaks out again in Costa Rica History. The then President of Costa Rica, Calderon Guardia, declares election results as invalid. (Don Pepe) Jose Figueres leads a revolt and changes Costa Rica History for ever when he takes over government.

Costa Rica History 1949: Under terms of the new constitution of Costa Rica, the army is disbanded and replaced by a civil guard. Costa Rica History remembers Don Pepe who later was president several more times through out Costa Rica History (1953-1958, 1970-1974).

Costa Rica History 1979: Not a direct part of Costa Rica History, but still very affecting is the Sandinista revolution that toppled the Nicaraguan government. Costa Rica became a fall back position for Guerilleros and Anit-Sandinista. As a result thousands of Nicaraguans seek shelter in Costa Rica, having a lasting mark on Costa Rica History.

Costa Rica History 1980: Another turning point for the Economy in Costa Rica History. Decreasing sales of coffee and banana exports create severe economic recessions.

Costa Rica History 1983: Costa Rica President, Luis Alberto Monge, declares a state of “unarmed neutrality”. Creates tensions between Costa Rica and the United States.

Costa Rica History 1986: Oscar Arias Sanchez is elected President of Costa Rica. He receives Nobel Peace price for pushing forward on the Central American Peace Plan, and is remembered in Costa Rica History for his work and dedication.

Costa Rica History 1990: Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) wins the elections and declares Rafael Angel Calderon Fournier as the new president of Costa Rica. He is the son of another Costa Rica History character, Calderon Guardia, who earlier in Costa Rica History had declared elections in-valid in 1948.

Costa Rica History 1991: Another tragedy strikes in Costa Rica History. Earthquake hits Limon. 60 were killed and damage was made that still remains today in Limon Costa Rica.

Costa Rica History 1994: Jose M. Figueres becomes youngest president in Costa Rica History. Presidency is scathed by scandal and the bankruptcy of Costa Rica ‘s oldest bank, Banco Anglo-Costarricense.

Costa Rica History 1996: Another tragedy strikes in Costa Rica History. Hurricane Cesar hits Costa Rica, killing many and causing 100 Million Dollars worth of damage to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica History 1998: Christian Unity Party (PUSC) wins the elections and declares Miguel Angel Rodriguez as the new president of Costa Rica. His presidency is remembered in Costa Rica History because he championed foreign investment and privatization of state run companies, but received criticism for the lack of transparency.

Costa Rica History 2000: Costa Rica experiences nationwide protest over the proposed privatization of ICE (state run Electricity and Telecommunications Company).

Costa Rica History 2002: Abel Pacheco wins the first presidential run-off in Costa Rica History. Franklin Chang, astronaut from Costa Rica, takes first space walk in Costa Rica History.