Costa Rica
10 00 N, 84 00 W
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
total: 639 km
border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
hydropower
arable land: 4.4%
permanent crops: 5.87%
other: 89.73% (2005)
deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
In the Central Valley, where the main centers of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F). In the coastal areas, the temperature is much hotter. The rainy season starts in May and finishes in November. The ‘warm’ dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight.\nRequired clothing\nLightweight cottons and linens most of the year, warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season.
time difference: UTC-6
