The Republic of Costa Rica is a country located in Central America isthmus, lying between latitudes 8\u00b0 and 12\u00b0N, and longitudes 82\u00b0 and 86\u00b0W. It limits with Nicaragua to the north (309 km or 192 mi of border), Panama to the south-southeast (639 km or 397 mi of border), the Caribbean Sea to the east (212 km or 132 mi of border) and the Pacific Ocean to the west (1,016 km or 631 mi of border), with a total of 1,290 kilometers (800 mi) of coastline. In total, Costa Rica comprises 51,100 square kilometers (19,700 sq mi) plus 589 square kilometers (227 sq mi) of territorial waters.<\/p>\n
Because Costa Rica is located between 8\u00b0 and 12\u00b0N of the Equator, the climate is tropical year round with two marked seasons. The dry season from December to April, known to the residents as summer, and the rainy season from May to November, known locally as winter. However, the country has many micro-climates depending on elevation, rainfall, topography, and by the geography of each particular region.<\/p>\n
It is a privileged destination because of its location in the middle of the Western Hemisphere. Its varied landscapes and mild climate make this small country the perfect getaway for a spectacular vacation, medical or health tourism, a memorable business meeting or convention. In fact, over 25% of Costa Rica’s national territory is protected by SINAC (the National System of Conservation Areas), which oversees all of the country’s protected areas. Costa Rica also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.<\/p>\n