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History of Costa Rica
A bit of history... a step back in time
10.000-1.000 B.C.:
First records of human settlements, very little is known of the primitive inhabitants except for the Olmecs, Mayas, Aztecs and the Incas.
1.000 B.C.-1.400 A.D.:
The History of Costa Rica starts with the arquelogical findings in the City of Guayabo (approx. 10.000-15.000 inhabitants) such as aqueducts, causeways, pottery, jade, gold, etc…, showing evidence of a much higher developed civilization other than pre-Columbian settlements in the country. Some archeological sites also show evidence of influence from the Mexican Olmec and Nahuatl civilizations. Perfectly shaped large granite stone spheres (bolas) were found in the south zone. Some people believe they might have been markers for primitive navigators. The mystery lives on...
1502-1562:
It is during his final expedition to the “New World”, that Christopher Columbus reaches the shores of the nowadays city of Limón on the Caribbean coast. He named it Costa Rica “the rich coast” due to the gold jewelry worn the indigenous population.
These are the years of the history of Costa Rica during which the Spanish explore and widely colonize the territory. The indigenous population is significantly reduced due to the diseases Europeans brought with them. Resisting groups found shelter in highlands in order to escape enslavement by the Spanish. Those who escaped death were forced to slavery and converted to Catholicism.
1563-1820:
Thanks to its lack of minerals, Costa Rica becomes isolated from Spanish Empire. People move their settlements in fertile Central Valley and in 1563 Juan Vásquez de Coronado founds the colonial capital of Cartago. In the 18th century other cities, including San José, were founded and coffee plantations were introduced, quickly becoming the major income of the region.
1821-1824:
Central America gains independence from Spain on September 15th 1821, but due to its remoteness, Costaricans receive the news only months later. Costa Rica then becomes a state of the Central American Federation, under the control of Guatemala . The first head of state is Juan Mora Fernandez (1824) a leader who is remembered for his land reforms.
1848:
Costa Rica declares itself an independent Republic. Jose Maria castro becomes the first president.
1856:
A North American filibuster called Johnny Walker, in his attempt of conquering Central America, invades Costa Rica, but he is defeated by a volunteer force in what is now the Santa Rosa National Park . He and his mercenary army tried to move on to Nicaragua but they were routed in Rivas where the National hero Juan Santamaría dies while setting fire to the enemy barracks.
1870-1890:
During these 20 years the railroad that links San José to the Caribbean Coast is built.
In 1869 free compulsory education is established and in 1889 the first democratic elections are held. Costa Rica becomes the first real Democracy of Central America. A year later general Tomas Guardia seizes control of the government, his military rule brings progressive reforms in education, military policy and taxation.
1914-1947:
World War I is the cause of a great depression which increases social injustice. By 1930 the political and social situation deteriorated to a point that the country was on the verge of a civil war. During Rafael Ángel Calderón and Teodoro Picado administrations, several radical social reforms are introduced. Minimum wage laws, housing, health and child welfare programs are implemented with the support of the Catholic Church and the Communist Party.
1948-1987:
The Costa Rica Civil was erupts, citizens join the national Liberation Army (led by Jose Maria “Pepe” Figueres Ferrer) to fight against President Calderón, who refused to relinquish power having elections been declared fraudulent. After a month of conflict, Calderón is exiled and “The National Liberation Army” becomes “The National Liberation Party”. Under Figuere's interim government the army is abolished (dec. 1949). All citizens over 18 years of age, women and black people receive the right to vote in elections held every 4 years. This is undoubtly a very important date in the history of Costa Rica .
1987:
Costa Rica President Oscar Aria Sanchez receives world recognition when he was awarded the Nobel Price for Peace for his work in ending the Nicaraguan civil war.
1990:
Rafael Angel Calderon, son of the 1940s great reformer, becomes president. In 1994, Jose' Maria, “Pepe's” son (PLN - Partido de Liberacion Nacional)., succeds Calderon for another 4 year term. In 1998 the political power shifts again to the PUSC (Partido de Unidad Social Cristiana), Miguel Angel Rodriguez becomes president, four years later he ruling party headed by Dr. Abel Pacheco manages a close win in the 2002 elections over the opposition, the PLN.
2006:
For the first time in the history of our country a former president has been re-elected for the second time. Oscar Arias Sanchez representing the PLN political party, will be our new president for the next 4 years.
Nowadays Costa Rica is a prosperous and peaceful country, encouraging private enterprises and foreign investments. Almost 100 years of uninterrupted Democracy make of Costa Rica the most economically stable and peace-loving nation of Central America .
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