Literally translated the “Rich Coast”, Costa Rica is located South of Nicaragua and North of Panama. The country’s mountainous central corridor is bordered by the aqua blue waters of the Caribbean in the east and the sapphire azure of the Pacific Ocean in the west. Costa Rica protects 23% of its national territory and possesses the greatest density of species in the world. Lush tropical rainforests offer tremendous wildlife viewing throughout the country (see "natural wonders").
Costa Rica is the only Latin American country included in the list of the world’s 22 older democracies and ranks 3rd in the world, and first in the Americas, on the 2010 Environmental Performance Index.
Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army. Due to its strong government and constitution, Costa Rica is considered one of the most stable countries in the region and has continually avoided the widespread violence that has plagued most of Latin America.
The literacy rate of Costa Rica is 97%, ranking it higher than the United States and number one in Latin America. With an unemployment rate of only 5.6% and a poverty rate of 15%, Costa Rica ranks as the top Latin American Country in both categories.
Because Costa Rica is located between nine and ten degrees north of the equator, the climate is tropical all year round. However, the country boasts numerous microclimates further adding to its diversity. Seasons are defined by the amount of rainfall in a particular period rather than the four seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. The “summer” or dry season extends from mid November through the end of May while the “winter” or rainy season stretches from June through early November. Villa Braheem’s location in the Northern Pacific Region provides for a shorter rainy season than the rest of the country with only September and October receiving daily rain showers.
Native Costa Ricans, or Ticos, are primarily of Spanish decent. There exists a substantial American and Canadian ex-patriot community within many regions of the country with Spanish being the primary language. It is estimated that nearly 12% of Costa Ricans are also fluent in English. The Costa Rican Colones is the primary currency, although US dollars are widely accepted.