Culture Universals in Costa Rica
Religious Distribution Worldwide
Although Catholicism and Protestantism have some differential aspects that make each religion unique, they both fall under the same "umbrella" of Christianity, which is 33% of the world's religious "makeup". Costa Rica is predominantly Roman Catholic, along with the rest of Central and South America.
Statistics
The following statistics are provided by the CIA: World Fact Book
Population: 4,695,942 (July 2013 est.)
Ethnic Groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Population Growth Rate: 1.27% (2013 est.)
Birth Rate: 16.25 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Death Rate: 4.44 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Obesity: 23.7% (2008)
Statistics
The following statistics are provided by the CIA: World Fact Book
Population: 4,695,942 (July 2013 est.)
Ethnic Groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Languages: Spanish (official), English
Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Population Growth Rate: 1.27% (2013 est.)
Birth Rate: 16.25 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Death Rate: 4.44 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
Obesity: 23.7% (2008)
Images & Statistics retrieved from: www.gapminder.org/
When analyzing different aspects
and statistics of Costa Rica, it is evident that their economy and country as a
whole is flourishing. Some of the statistics that have improved over the past
50 years include the economy, education, health, and population of the country.
In regards to the economy, Costa Rica’s poverty level has consistently
decreased over time, while the education completion rate as well as the food
supply levels has increased. The population rate has been in a steady range of
1-2% annual increase. By analyzing these different characteristics, I conclude
that Costa Rica’s economy is on the rise due to the increase in education
attainment. A direct result of finishing school is an increase in employment,
which in turn causes the poverty levels to decline. Just like any other
country, the population levels in Costa Rica have not skyrocketed because the
women are equally focused on employment as well as family life. Over time,
Costa Rica has improved a majority of their country’s aspects and are developing
at a steady pace, which maintains the balance of the environment.
Religion and Costa Rica
Religion is
an important culture universal and social aspect to consider when observing and
analyzing any country as a whole. In Costa Rica, their Constitution outlines
that Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Religion is the official religion; however,
because they are a democratic republic, they firmly promote the freedom of
religion (). Catholicism is a common religion throughout Central America due to
the Spaniard arrival in the 19th century (Danica). It was spread from
the western coast of the land to and throughout the rest of the country, because
the Spaniards were not able to fully conquer Costa Rica (Garrigues).
Although the religion originated in the western region of the country, there
were other countries in Central America that somewhat spread Catholicism across
the continent as well. Catholicism is a subgroup of Christianity, which
encompasses a majority of the religion in all of the Americas.
In Costa Rica, religion is a centerpiece of society regardless of one’s affiliation. Almost every city has a church and religions outside of Catholicism seem to harmonize with one another, because of the established and well enforced rule of religious equality and tolerance (Brown). Due to the freedom of religion throughout the country, there is a variety of other religions (i.e. Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, etc.) adding to the country’s cultural diversity (Danica). Sundays are viewed as very important to those of Christian faith, because that is the day set aside for Ticos to attend church and carry out their Catholic duties. Those who practice Catholicism see great value in religion in all aspects of their lives, from baptisms to funerals being held in the church (Danica). Although every citizen does not affiliate with Catholicism, they still have a mutual respect for it and many nonreligious services and places like taxis, buses, and offices have their share of religious icons (Brown).
Unlike other religions such as Hinduism or Islam, Catholicism (and Christianity in general) does not have designated holy places for its followers to visit. The main place that is viewed as holy is the sanctuary within the church and members typically attend church regularly about once a week. There are shrines that are commonly the destination of pilgrimages, such as Chartres in France, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes, and Fatima; but these places are not required by the religion to be visited by the followers (Feeney). Other religions may have sacred places within the country, but Costa Rica has none aside from the various churches. Although the church is the primary holy place of Catholicism, they are very well embellished, maintained, and appreciated by the people throughout the country.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic that possesses many similar values and rights as the United States; however, a main difference is the separation of church and state. In Costa Rica, there is an official religion and the people have the freedom to practice whatever religion they wish, but there is no official separation of church and state. Although the people have the freedom to practice as they please, in order to complete certain actions like getting married, one has to go to the Catholic Church in order for their marriage to be officiated and recognized by the state (Brown). There has been no major uproar regarding the church and state concurrence within the country, and possible reasoning behind this is because the official religion was mandated in the Constitution so the citizens, whether Catholic or not, abide by it and continue with their free lives. All in all, religion plays a key role in many aspects of Costa Rica and their Tico culture; but as a result of their democratic ways, they promote, accept, and respect those who do not affiliate with the Catholic religion.
Sources:
Anonymous. (n.d.). Retrieved from website: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168207.htm
Brown, F. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infocostarica.com/culture/religion.html
Danica, L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://costarica-information.com/about-costa-rica/people-culture-religion/religion
Feeney, L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://catholicism.org/category/holy-places
Garrigues, R. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.angelfire.com/bc/gonebirding/colony.html
In Costa Rica, religion is a centerpiece of society regardless of one’s affiliation. Almost every city has a church and religions outside of Catholicism seem to harmonize with one another, because of the established and well enforced rule of religious equality and tolerance (Brown). Due to the freedom of religion throughout the country, there is a variety of other religions (i.e. Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, etc.) adding to the country’s cultural diversity (Danica). Sundays are viewed as very important to those of Christian faith, because that is the day set aside for Ticos to attend church and carry out their Catholic duties. Those who practice Catholicism see great value in religion in all aspects of their lives, from baptisms to funerals being held in the church (Danica). Although every citizen does not affiliate with Catholicism, they still have a mutual respect for it and many nonreligious services and places like taxis, buses, and offices have their share of religious icons (Brown).
Unlike other religions such as Hinduism or Islam, Catholicism (and Christianity in general) does not have designated holy places for its followers to visit. The main place that is viewed as holy is the sanctuary within the church and members typically attend church regularly about once a week. There are shrines that are commonly the destination of pilgrimages, such as Chartres in France, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes, and Fatima; but these places are not required by the religion to be visited by the followers (Feeney). Other religions may have sacred places within the country, but Costa Rica has none aside from the various churches. Although the church is the primary holy place of Catholicism, they are very well embellished, maintained, and appreciated by the people throughout the country.
Costa Rica is a democratic republic that possesses many similar values and rights as the United States; however, a main difference is the separation of church and state. In Costa Rica, there is an official religion and the people have the freedom to practice whatever religion they wish, but there is no official separation of church and state. Although the people have the freedom to practice as they please, in order to complete certain actions like getting married, one has to go to the Catholic Church in order for their marriage to be officiated and recognized by the state (Brown). There has been no major uproar regarding the church and state concurrence within the country, and possible reasoning behind this is because the official religion was mandated in the Constitution so the citizens, whether Catholic or not, abide by it and continue with their free lives. All in all, religion plays a key role in many aspects of Costa Rica and their Tico culture; but as a result of their democratic ways, they promote, accept, and respect those who do not affiliate with the Catholic religion.
Sources:
Anonymous. (n.d.). Retrieved from website: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2010_5/168207.htm
Brown, F. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infocostarica.com/culture/religion.html
Danica, L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://costarica-information.com/about-costa-rica/people-culture-religion/religion
Feeney, L. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://catholicism.org/category/holy-places
Garrigues, R. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.angelfire.com/bc/gonebirding/colony.html
Images obtained from:
Figure 1: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Basilica_de_los_Angeles.jpg
Figure 2: http://static.goshen.edu/wost/costarica/womenpraise.jpg
Figure 3: http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/religion/costa_rica_religion.gif
Figure 4: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000zqClFruFa2U/s/650/650/Cartago-Bascilica.jpg
Figure 5: http://blog.world-mysteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/World_Religions_Chart.jpg
Figure 6: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/21371254.jpg
Figure 7: http://www.costaricantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/catholic-church.jpg
Figure 8: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIToMdwYsns/T2msrrTc-LI/AAAAAAAAE1o/yhcdRdJ8Q7w/s1600/Prevailing_world_religions_map+%281%29.png
Figure 1: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Basilica_de_los_Angeles.jpg
Figure 2: http://static.goshen.edu/wost/costarica/womenpraise.jpg
Figure 3: http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/religion/costa_rica_religion.gif
Figure 4: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000zqClFruFa2U/s/650/650/Cartago-Bascilica.jpg
Figure 5: http://blog.world-mysteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/World_Religions_Chart.jpg
Figure 6: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/21371254.jpg
Figure 7: http://www.costaricantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/catholic-church.jpg
Figure 8: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AIToMdwYsns/T2msrrTc-LI/AAAAAAAAE1o/yhcdRdJ8Q7w/s1600/Prevailing_world_religions_map+%281%29.png
Cultural Diversity
Costa Rica is known for being rich in biodiversity as well as cultural diversity; however, there has been a gradual loss of cultural diversity ever since Christopher Columbus arrived to the land. When Costa Rica was discovered by Columbus in 1502, a majority of the population, if not everyone, was Mesoamerican (Brown). It is believed that the Mesoamericans were the first inhabitants of Costa Rica as well as most of the Americas. After the land was discovered, it began to be colonized and fought over by the indigenous people and the Spaniards. Due to disease, slavery, and poverty, the population size of indigenous people shrank from about 400,000 to 10,000 (). A direct result of the drastic plummet in population, the Mesoamericans lost possession of the land and Spaniards took control. There were many battles fought over which group of people will have control of the country, but the country eventually became an independent democracy on September 15, 1821 (Staff).
As the Spaniards lost control over the country, there was an increase in diversity throughout the country. The Mesoamericans fled slavery and went to high elevation mountains, which is where their descendants live to this day (Brown). As the Mesoamericans fled, other ethnicities began to expand throughout the country. The current population in Costa Rica is about 94 percent white and mestizo, 3 percent black, 1 percent Amerindian, 1 percent Chinese, and 1 percent other (). Although more than 90 percent of the population identifies as white, other cultures are celebrated and welcomed to the country, but racism is can still be present at times ().
The diversity has greatly increased from the time Columbus discovered the land; however, there has been a loss in the indigenous culture throughout the country. They were the original inhabitants of the land, but due to greed, colonization, and slavery, they were “wiped out” and forced to find another place of habitation in the mountains. If the population of all ethnicities were more so balanced, Costa Rica would not be perceived to losing or lacking cultural diversity. To go from having a population of about 98 percent Mesoamerican in the early 1500s, to having barely 1 percent now is bizarre and shows that Costa Rica is gradually losing the culture of its true inhabitants and there are no efforts being made to preserve or practice them. Similar to other parts of the Americas, like the United States, the original inhabitants have been pushed around and disregarded and more than 75 percent of the population has deteriorated.
Those who came to explore and inhabit Western civilization were in a mindset of conquering the land by any means necessary. A direct result of that mindset it that there has really never been any effort to support or preserve the cultures of those who inhabited different land masses before they were colonized. Because there has been a lack of effort, the original inhabitants’ cultures have gone unrecognized or completely forgotten. As time progresses, a deeper appreciation for diminishing cultures are increasing because a lack of diversity eventually yields a diverse population with no culture at all. Many festivals and traditions are held throughout the year for most of the common cultures within the country; however, some cultures are more heavily celebrated than others.
In regards to biodiversity, Costa Rica has many standards on how to maintain and preserve the land, so it does not lose the holistic value of the country. Nevertheless, with no preservation of the original culture, the general value of the country has already decreased in value because cultural diversity and biodiversity work hand in hand when evaluating the value of the land as a whole. All in all, Costa Rica is very rich in biodiversity as well as cultural diversity, making the land quite valuable. However, when assessing the change in cultural diversity over time, the country is gradually losing an important culture as a result of ancestral decisions.
Sources:
Brown, F. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
Staff, I. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infocostarica.com/history/independence.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://know.about.com/Costa_Rica
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://studiesabroad.com/programs/country/costa_rica/city/san_jose/cultureCorner/culturalHighlights
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2075.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
As the Spaniards lost control over the country, there was an increase in diversity throughout the country. The Mesoamericans fled slavery and went to high elevation mountains, which is where their descendants live to this day (Brown). As the Mesoamericans fled, other ethnicities began to expand throughout the country. The current population in Costa Rica is about 94 percent white and mestizo, 3 percent black, 1 percent Amerindian, 1 percent Chinese, and 1 percent other (). Although more than 90 percent of the population identifies as white, other cultures are celebrated and welcomed to the country, but racism is can still be present at times ().
The diversity has greatly increased from the time Columbus discovered the land; however, there has been a loss in the indigenous culture throughout the country. They were the original inhabitants of the land, but due to greed, colonization, and slavery, they were “wiped out” and forced to find another place of habitation in the mountains. If the population of all ethnicities were more so balanced, Costa Rica would not be perceived to losing or lacking cultural diversity. To go from having a population of about 98 percent Mesoamerican in the early 1500s, to having barely 1 percent now is bizarre and shows that Costa Rica is gradually losing the culture of its true inhabitants and there are no efforts being made to preserve or practice them. Similar to other parts of the Americas, like the United States, the original inhabitants have been pushed around and disregarded and more than 75 percent of the population has deteriorated.
Those who came to explore and inhabit Western civilization were in a mindset of conquering the land by any means necessary. A direct result of that mindset it that there has really never been any effort to support or preserve the cultures of those who inhabited different land masses before they were colonized. Because there has been a lack of effort, the original inhabitants’ cultures have gone unrecognized or completely forgotten. As time progresses, a deeper appreciation for diminishing cultures are increasing because a lack of diversity eventually yields a diverse population with no culture at all. Many festivals and traditions are held throughout the year for most of the common cultures within the country; however, some cultures are more heavily celebrated than others.
In regards to biodiversity, Costa Rica has many standards on how to maintain and preserve the land, so it does not lose the holistic value of the country. Nevertheless, with no preservation of the original culture, the general value of the country has already decreased in value because cultural diversity and biodiversity work hand in hand when evaluating the value of the land as a whole. All in all, Costa Rica is very rich in biodiversity as well as cultural diversity, making the land quite valuable. However, when assessing the change in cultural diversity over time, the country is gradually losing an important culture as a result of ancestral decisions.
Sources:
Brown, F. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
Staff, I. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.infocostarica.com/history/independence.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://know.about.com/Costa_Rica
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://studiesabroad.com/programs/country/costa_rica/city/san_jose/cultureCorner/culturalHighlights
(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2075.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
Gallo Pinto
Ingredients
Directions
1) If beans are dried, cover with water and soak overnight, if they are fresh, just rise them off. Drain the beans and add fresh water to an inch (2.5-cm) above the top of the beans, salt, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and reduce heat to very low simmer until beans are soft (~3 hours).
2) Chop cilantro, onion, and sweet pepper very fine.
3) Add 1 Tablespoon oil to a large pan and sauté the dry rice for 2 minutes over medium high flame then add half of the chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro and sauté another 2 minutes. Add water or chicken broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer until rice is tender (20-35 minutes). This is also the recipe for Tico rice used in other favorites like tamales.
4) Once the rice and beans are cooked you can refrigerate or freeze them. Keep a significant amount of the “black water” with the beans (½-1 cup 120-240 ml). This is what gives the rice its color and some of its flavor. Sauté the rice, beans reserved chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro together in vegetable oil for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with a little fresh chopped cilantro just before serving...ENJOY!
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 gr.) Black beans. Fresh are best but most likely you’ll find them dried.
- 8-10 sprigs cilantro (coriander leaf) fresh or frozen, not dried!
- 1 small or medium onion
- ½ small red or yellow sweet pepper (optional)
- 3 cups (700 ml) chicken broth or water
- 2 cups (350 ml) white rice
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 1-3 Tablespoon oil to fry the Gallo Pinto
Directions
1) If beans are dried, cover with water and soak overnight, if they are fresh, just rise them off. Drain the beans and add fresh water to an inch (2.5-cm) above the top of the beans, salt, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and reduce heat to very low simmer until beans are soft (~3 hours).
2) Chop cilantro, onion, and sweet pepper very fine.
3) Add 1 Tablespoon oil to a large pan and sauté the dry rice for 2 minutes over medium high flame then add half of the chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro and sauté another 2 minutes. Add water or chicken broth, bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer until rice is tender (20-35 minutes). This is also the recipe for Tico rice used in other favorites like tamales.
4) Once the rice and beans are cooked you can refrigerate or freeze them. Keep a significant amount of the “black water” with the beans (½-1 cup 120-240 ml). This is what gives the rice its color and some of its flavor. Sauté the rice, beans reserved chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro together in vegetable oil for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with a little fresh chopped cilantro just before serving...ENJOY!
Visit these Websites to Learn More on Costa Rica's Culture....
http://costarica.com/culture/
http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=50
http://costarica.com/culture/
http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=50