Flag Symbolism: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
Executive Branch: President and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held on 7 February 2010. The president may then select their cabinet memebers and have control as the final say in governmental situations. Judicial Branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for renewable eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) The Legislative Branch: Unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) Their US Ambassador: Ambassador Shanon Muni FIGUERES Boggs Their US Embassy: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Their Consulates: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico). Our Ambassador: Ambassador Anne Slaughter ANDREW U.S. EMBASSY (THERE): Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose Our Consulates: None UN Representatives: Eduardo Ulibarri
Conventional Long Form Country Name: Republic of Costa Rica Capital City: San Jose Type of Government: Democratic Republic Date of Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National Holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory National Symbol: Clay-colored robin known as Yiguirro
President Laura CHINCHILLA Miranda -
Head of Government and Chief of State
Yiguirro - National Symbol
International Disputes: The ICJ had given Costa Rica until January 2008 to reply and Nicaragua until July 2008 to rejoin before rendering its decision on the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels on the Rio San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty Refugees: 10,305 (Colombia) (2012) Internally Displaced Persons: N/A Stateless Persons: N/A Human Trafficking Issues: N/A Illicit Drug trafficking/use: Transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008)