History
Costa Rica is a country in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The earliest settlement dates back to thousands of years before Christopher Columbus discovered the land mass in 1502 (n.d.). Indigenous people were the most common early inhabitants of the American continents; however, the heavily populated and well known tribes like the Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs were not the primary natives of Costa Rica. By the time Columbus arrived, there were already four main tribes inhabiting the area, such as the Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis. The Caribs were on the east coast, while the Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis were in the southwest (Geographica).
Based off of the New World Migration Model and oral histories passed down generation-to-generation, the Indigenous people migrated to the Americas by way of Beringia (Curry). Now the Bering Strait, Beringia was a “land bridge” that connected two land masses and allowed the indigenous people to migrate and spread across the Americas and yield a variety of tribes throughout the land. According to the legends and accounts of the ancestors of the people, the indigenous people originated in the Americas making them the first inhabitants of the land. Some of the natural resources throughout Costa Rica include, gold, bananas, coffee (introduced by Cuba), and rice.
After Christopher Columbus ventured to Costa Rica, the Spanish Conquistadores made multiple trips to the country to conquer and obtain the land. The indigenous inhabitants were resistant and fought for their land. Over about forty years, the Spaniards and indigenous people fought to either maintain or claim the land. Finally, after four decades of conflict Juan de Cavallon led the Spaniards to victory because the inhabitants had never exposed to the illnesses and diseases that the Conquistadores carried, so they lost their land due to deaths and loss of man power (National Geographic). A majority of the indigenous people moved to the mountainous areas and is still thriving there to this day.
Costa Rica is a country in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama. The earliest settlement dates back to thousands of years before Christopher Columbus discovered the land mass in 1502 (n.d.). Indigenous people were the most common early inhabitants of the American continents; however, the heavily populated and well known tribes like the Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs were not the primary natives of Costa Rica. By the time Columbus arrived, there were already four main tribes inhabiting the area, such as the Caribs, Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis. The Caribs were on the east coast, while the Borucas, Chibchas, and Diquis were in the southwest (Geographica).
Based off of the New World Migration Model and oral histories passed down generation-to-generation, the Indigenous people migrated to the Americas by way of Beringia (Curry). Now the Bering Strait, Beringia was a “land bridge” that connected two land masses and allowed the indigenous people to migrate and spread across the Americas and yield a variety of tribes throughout the land. According to the legends and accounts of the ancestors of the people, the indigenous people originated in the Americas making them the first inhabitants of the land. Some of the natural resources throughout Costa Rica include, gold, bananas, coffee (introduced by Cuba), and rice.
After Christopher Columbus ventured to Costa Rica, the Spanish Conquistadores made multiple trips to the country to conquer and obtain the land. The indigenous inhabitants were resistant and fought for their land. Over about forty years, the Spaniards and indigenous people fought to either maintain or claim the land. Finally, after four decades of conflict Juan de Cavallon led the Spaniards to victory because the inhabitants had never exposed to the illnesses and diseases that the Conquistadores carried, so they lost their land due to deaths and loss of man power (National Geographic). A majority of the indigenous people moved to the mountainous areas and is still thriving there to this day.
Population Pyramid
Population pyramid 1960 retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Costa+Rica/1960/
Population pyramid 2010 retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Costa+Rica/2010/
Population pyramid 2010 retrieved from: http://populationpyramid.net/Costa+Rica/2010/
Maps
Topographic map retrieved from: http://mapsof.net/map/costa-rica-topography#.Uj8U0j9dzGE
Weather map retrieved from: http://www.anywherecostarica.com/maps/weather
Economic activity map retrieved from: http://www.zonu.com/mapas_costa_rica/Costa_Rica_Economic_Activity_Map.htm
Weather map retrieved from: http://www.anywherecostarica.com/maps/weather
Economic activity map retrieved from: http://www.zonu.com/mapas_costa_rica/Costa_Rica_Economic_Activity_Map.htm
Timeline
Costa Rica on Dipity.
Summary
After observing, analyzing, and synthesizing the maps and history of Costa Rica, it is evident that the denotative meaning of the country’s name is accurate. Aside from the well-kept vegetation throughout the country, there are many natural resources that add to the value of the land. When viewing maps that show Costa Rica’s topography, weather, and economic activity, one can conclude that variation of activity primarily occurs in one general area. The center of the country experiences more diverse weather and economic activity due to the difference in topography and level of development across the country. Because elevation is a prime geologic factor that affects the economic and housing productivity, the outskirts of the country would experience more drastic weather and living conditions due to the proximity of large bodies of water. Because of the preservation of land and resources, Costa Rica has been a sought after land mass since the beginning of time, which explains the consistent growth in population.
After observing, analyzing, and synthesizing the maps and history of Costa Rica, it is evident that the denotative meaning of the country’s name is accurate. Aside from the well-kept vegetation throughout the country, there are many natural resources that add to the value of the land. When viewing maps that show Costa Rica’s topography, weather, and economic activity, one can conclude that variation of activity primarily occurs in one general area. The center of the country experiences more diverse weather and economic activity due to the difference in topography and level of development across the country. Because elevation is a prime geologic factor that affects the economic and housing productivity, the outskirts of the country would experience more drastic weather and living conditions due to the proximity of large bodies of water. Because of the preservation of land and resources, Costa Rica has been a sought after land mass since the beginning of time, which explains the consistent growth in population.
Sources:
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
Curry, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/news/ancient-migration-coming-to-america-1.10562
Geographica. (0). Retrieved from www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
National Geographic. (0). Retrieved from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/costa-rica/
Want to Learn More on Costa Rica? Visit these websites...
http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/costa-rica/
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
Curry, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/news/ancient-migration-coming-to-america-1.10562
Geographica. (0). Retrieved from www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
National Geographic. (0). Retrieved from http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/costa-rica/
Want to Learn More on Costa Rica? Visit these websites...
http://www.timeforkids.com/destination/costa-rica/history-timeline
http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/costa-rica/