NATIONAL LEADER Rev. Fernando Calvo CHURCH STATISTICS 30 churches; 11 missions Work was organized in 1978.

NEEDS
www.pfwb.org/worldwitness/projects.htm#CostaRica

PEOPLES
Costa Ricans, usually called ticos in Central America, are descended from the integration between native Americans and European migrants, mainly Spanish. African descendants, who were brought in from Jamaica, make up 3 percent of the population and are concentrated along the eastern coast. Indigenous peoples, 1 percent.

RELIGIONS
81.3 percent of the population are Catholic; Evangelical Protestant- 15 percent.

LANGUAGES
Spanish is the official language, spoken by the majority; Mekaiteliu, a language derived from English, is spoken in the province of Limón (east coast); Several indigenous languages.

POLITICAL PARTIES
Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC); National Liberation Party (NLP), social democrat; Democratic Force, center-left coalition; Cargagines Agricultural Union, regional: the Agrarian Party.

THE STATE

OFFICIAL NAME
República de Costa Rica.

ADMINISTRATION
7 Provinces.

CAPITAL
San José

OTHER CITIES
Limón 56,525 people; Alajuela 49,190; Cartago 109,000 (1992).

GOVERNMENT
Miguel Angel Rodríguez, president since January 1, 1998. Legislature, single-chamber Assembly, made up of 57 members.

ENVIRONMENT
A mountain range with major volcanic peaks stretches across the country from northwest to southeast. Costa Rica has the highest rural population density in Latin America, with small and medium sized farmers who use modern agricultural techniques. Coffee is the main export crop. The lowlands along the Pacific and the Caribbean have different climate and vegetation. Along the Caribbean coast there is dense, tropical rainforest vegetation. Cocoa is grown in that region. The Pacific side is drier; extensive cattle raising is practiced along with artificially irrigated sugar cane and rice plantations. Deforestation has been partially responsible for soil erosion and reduced fertility.