Costa Rica History

The first known inhabitants of Costa Rica were called the pre-Columbians. Very little information is left about them. The history of Costa Rica began when Christopher Columbus landed just off shore near city of modern Limon. The people lived in several autonomous tribes, all with distinct cultures and customs. The Costa Ricans had been fighting for their independence from Spain for 40 years. In 1562, the Spanish main's administrative center in Guatemala sent Juan Vasquez de Coronado to Costa Rica as governor and Cartago was established as the capital the following year. The city of San Jose was established in 1737. Costa Rica was awarded its final independence from Spain only in the 19th century. The question of whether Costa Rica should join newly independent Mexico or join a new confederation of Central American states resulted in brief civil war in 1823. Finally Costa Rica joined the confederation. The coffee trade was Costa Rica’s most valuable export. To facilitate the trade the country built its first railroad. It had led to Costa Rica being the most successful Central American country. The next important era began in 1940 when Dr. Rafael Angel Calderen Guardia was elected. He stimulated land reform, guaranteed minimum wage and progressive taxation. During its history Costa Rica had won the reputation of a peaceful and stable island of democracy in one of the world's most politically unstable and often war-torn regions.