Official name: Republic of Costa Rica.
Capital: San Jose.
Location: Costa Rica is located in Central America, between the countries of Nicaragua and Panama, and the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean (between 8° 02’ and 11° 58’ North latitude and 82° 30’ and 85° 58’ West longitude).
Surface area: 19,725 square miles (51,100 square kilometers).
Terrain: The country is sectioned by a chain of mountains directed from Northwest to Southeast, with the presence of volcanic activity in the Guanacaste Range and the Central Range. Coastal planes are located on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides.
Administrative division: The country is divided in seven Provinces: San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon. Each Province is divided in Counties and each County is divided in Districts.