Costa Rica Stamps

Costa Rica, located in Central America, has a territory of 51,100 sq. km. and is bounded by Nicaragua to the North, the Pacific Ocean to the West, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and Panama to the South East. Most of the population is of Spanish ancestry, but it includes also some Indian and African heritage. Spanish is the official language, and the State religion is Roman Catholicism. It has been a democracy for over 150 years.

Columbus visited Limón in 1502. In 1564, when Juan Vásquez de Coronado founded Cartago, capital city during colonial times, the Spanish conquest was almost over. The cities of Alajuela, Heredia, and San José were founded during the eighteenth century on the Central Plateau, surrounded by mountains. San José became the capital city after Independence. Poverty and isolation gave this period an atmosphere of secluded life, creating a society of peace-loving farmers who enjoyed a good climate and fertile lands. Indians and Spaniards had to work hard for a living in democratic peace.

In 1800, Costa Rica had a population of some fifty thousand people. It obtained its independence from Spain in 1821, and was nominally part of Iturbide's Mexican Empire until 1823 when it came to be part of the Central American Union. In 1838 it became an independent state and in 1848, a Republic. The first Constitution, "Pacto de Concordia", dates from 1821. It was followed by the Constitutions of 1825, 1871 and 1949, when the army was permanently abolished.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the population had grown to three hundred thousand, and is now [2002] over four million. The Costa Rican economy, which for many years was mainly agricultural, exporting coffee, bananas, sugar cane, cocoa, and fruits, has become highly industrialized. Costa Rica is well known for its educational system. It has had free and compulsory public education since 1865, and a literacy rate of 96%. The first university, The University of Santo Tomás, was founded in 1844. Today it has three public universities and many private ones.

Miraculous Statuette and Basilica
Statuette miraculeuse et basilique
Date: 1935; Scott: 165;
Y&T:160

Vision of 1635
Vision de 1635
Date: 1935; Scott: 167;
Y&T:162

Miraculous Statuette and Cathedral
Statuette miraculeuse et cathédrale
Date: 1935; Scott: 168;
Y&T:163

Madonna
La Madone
Date: 1962; Scott: RA 13;
Y&T:258;
Artist: Bellini
(1426-1516)

Madonna
La Madone
Date: 1962; Scott: RA17;
Y&T:259;
Artist: Bellini
(1426-1516)

Madonna
La Madone
Date: 1962; Scott: 263; Y&T:262;
Artist: Bellini
(1426-1516)

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1967; Scott: RA33;
Y&T:282

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1967; Scott: RA34;
Y&T:283

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1967; Scott: RA35;
Y&T:284

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1967;
Scott: RA36;
Y&T:285

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1968; Scott: RA37;
Y&T:286

Madonna and Child
La Madone et l'Enfant
Date: 1968; Scott: RA38;
Y&T:287

Legend: SCOTT = Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue issued by: Scott Publishing Co.
Y&T = Catalogue Yvert et Tellier
B/F = Bloc/Feuillet

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