History

Not a lot is known about the early settlers of Costa Rica. The Spanish didn't feel it was important to write things down, in fact they actually destroyed parts of their early culture. Even Costa Rica didn't treasure history or culture, until recently.
In 1502 Christopher Columbus set off on his fourth and last journey to the New World close to what is known today as Puerto Limón. While his ship was being repaired, he explored the country. He christened the coast between Honduras and Panama 'Veragua'. The name this area carries today is based on the indiginous name of the region.
A new Spanish colony was founded in 1560. The new settlers began to farm the land around Cartago and the first church was built. Costa Rica became an official province of New Spain.
The region did not possess any strategic importance, nor did it have any valueable resources. This may be the reason that the colonial history of the country developed in a way different to other developing colonies at that time. The focus was on the farming.
As the new Spanish settlement grew, the population of the Indiginous people decreased dramatically. When Columbus first arrived the population was approx. 400'000, one hundred years later, it was only 20'000... and in a further one hundred years there was only 8'000 Indiginous folk remaining.
Costa Rica belonged to the General Captain of Guatemala and became independant in 1821. The Central American Federation was founded, however it did not last very long. Costa Rica left the organisation in 1838.
While the remainder of Middle America was occupied with Civil War, an independant Costa Rica developed and in 1824 the first political head was appointed.
In 1856 William Walker landed in Nicaragua and wanted to take over Middle America. He marched to Costa Rica, where an army of willing soldiers was put together. At Santa Rosa the American soldiers were forced back to Nicaragua. During this battle Juan Santamaría lost his life as he set Walkers campsite and troops on fire. Since then Santamaría is the Hero of Costa Rica.
In the 19th Century the Costas Ricans discovered that the soil and the climate in higher areas was perfect for growing coffee. This changed the country from being the poorest to the richest in the region. In order to transport the coffee, a railway line was built leading from these high areas to the coast. American prisoners, and Chinese and Jamaican slaves were used as to build the railway, which was completed in 1890. In order to feed the workers and not spend too much money, banana trees were planted along the train line. From this small business, emerged the biggest employer of Middle America, the United Fruit Company. They then promoted the migration of workers from Jamaica, and the ethnic composition of the country changed.
After the price of coffee fell dramatically in the 1970's, the country wanted to attract tourists in order to maintain the existing standard of living. This was the beginning of the ecotourism that is still very popular today.