We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Find out more

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

X Close menu

Dictionary Language resources

Costa Rica

Syllabification: (Cos·ta Ri·ca)

Pronunciation: /ˌkōstə ˈrēkə, ˌkôstə, ˌkästə/

Translate Costa Rica | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of Costa Rica

a republic in Central America on the Isthmus of Panama, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; population 4,253,900 (est. 2009); capital, San José; language, Spanish.

Colonized by Spain in the early 16th century, Costa Rica achieved independence in 1823 and emerged as a separate country in 1838