Costa Rica has been a paradise for nature lovers and environmentalists for years and shelters the greatest density of species in the world. Amazingly, the country is just one-fourth of 1 percent of all the land in the world, but is home to 5 percent of earth’s biodiversity. And, over 25 percent of the country is protected by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), which oversees the protected areas.

Located in the southern one-third of Central America, Costa Rica (rich coast in Spanish) is framed by Nicaragua on its northern border, Panama on its southern border, the Pacific Ocean on its west coast and the Caribbean Sea on its east coast.

The country is mostly verdant coastal plains on the Caribbean and the Pacific, separated by mountain ranges. Cerro Chirripó at 12,530 feet is the fifth highest peak in Central America and Irazú at 11,257 feet is the highest volcano in the country. Over 100 volcanoes in Costa Rica are still active.

About half of Costa Rica’s over 4.8 million people live in the capital city of San José, which nestles in the Meseta Central, Costa Rica’s high Central Valley.

The people call themselves Ticos, a happy name for the daily celebration of pura vida (the good life) in Costa Rica. Ticos are happy people because they are blessed with an abundance of riches from Mother Nature, like sublime weather, gorgeous beaches and the sheer beauty of this bio-diverse country.

Costa Rica also is one of Latin America’s strongest democracies, even without an army, navy or air force, which were abolished more than 60 years ago. The money saved from defense spending has been invested in the Costa Rican people through more spending for healthcare and education.