Costa RicaCosta Rica

views going up the main road to poas volcano 
 - Costa Rica

Natural Resources & Land Use

Natural Resources & Land Use

Natural resources and geographic features of Costa Rica.

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Area

Area (including
Isla del Coco)

Square miles

Square kilometers

Total

19,730

51,100-51,200

Land

19,560

50,660

Comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia, U.S.A

Boundaries

Boundaries

Miles

Kilometers

Total Land

390

639

Nicaragua (to the north)

188.5

309

Panama (to the south)

201.3

330

Coastline

787

1,290

Major Geographic Features

Major Geographic Features

Details

Isthmus

121 km. (74 mi.) wide at narrowest point

Mountain Ranges

Two traverse the isthmus

Meseta Central Plateau (coastal plain)

Enclosed by rugged mountains

Protected wildlife areas

30% of the national territory

Biodiversity

Costa Rica has 5% of the world's biodiversity; One of the highest concentrations on the planet

Climate, Zones, & Seasons

Climate

Zones

Seasons

Tropical

Torrid, <3000 ft. elevation
Temperate, >3000 ft. & <6000 ft.
Cool, > 6000 ft. elevation

Dry, December to April
Rainy, May to November

Temperatures

Centigrade (°C)

Fahrenheit (F)

Locations

21 

69.8

Annual average San Jose (capital)

25 to 35 

77 to 95

Hot coastal zone

15 to 25

59 to 77

Moderate zone

< 15 

< 59

Higher elevations

Precipitation and Natural Resources 

Annual rainfall

˜77 inches in central plateau

Natural Resources

Hydropower Potential

Land Use

Land Use

%

Meadows & Pastures

45.00%

Forest & Woodland

34.00%

Other

8.00%

Permanent Crops

7.00%

Arable Land

6.00%

Total

100.00%

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