CONTENTS

Page
[Introduction]5
[Chapter I.]TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND MINERAL WEALTH.7
[Chapter II.]CLIMATE OF COSTA RICA.25
[Chapter III.]CHARACTER OF VEGETATION.32
[Chapter IV.]FAUNA.43
[Chapter V.]THE ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS.46
[Chapter VI.]POPULATION.51
[Chapter VII.]IMMIGRATION AND COLONIES.74
[Chapter VIII.]PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.77
[Chapter IX.]TRANSPORTATION, POST AND TELEGRAPH.81
[Chapter X.]AGRICULTURE AND LIVE STOCK.90
[Chapter XI.]COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.96
[Chapter XII.]FINANCE AND BANKING.108
[Chapter XIII.]POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.121
[Chapter XIV.]HISTORY.125
[Map of Central America]end of book (128)
[Proposed line of Nicaragua Canal]end of book (128)
[Reverse side of Map]end of book (129)

Introduction.

THIS monograph treats of the topography, geology, mineral wealth and soils of Costa Rica; it describes its climate and presents the details of its flora and fauna with reference to their economic value; it displays the distribution of population according to race, wealth, communities and social conditions; it examines the agricultural development of the Republic, including its live stock and forests; and, finally, it recounts the most important features of its commerce, industry, finance, and of its economic and political conditions.

It is made up of observations and studies pursued in 1897 and 1898, during seven and a half months of economic and scientific explorations in Central America, and of facts garnered with great care from authoritative manuscripts, books and official documents and publications. Respect has been shown to the work of men of originality in research and thought, and care has been taken to adhere closely to the original text when either quoting or translating. I am especially indebted to Professor H. Pittier, whose great qualifications for a scientific exploration of Costa Rica cannot be overestimated; to Mr. Anastasio Alfaro, the Director of the National Museum; to Mr. Manuel Aragon, the Director General of the National Statistical Department; to Dr. Juan Ullua, the Minister of Fomento; to Joaquin B. Calvo, Minister Resident in Washington; and Mr. Rafael Iglesias, the able President of the Republic of Costa Rica.

The State of Costa Rica.

I.
TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND MINERAL WEALTH.

Costa Rica, the southernmost Republic of Central America, is advantageously situated within the North tropical zone, adjoining Colombia, the most northern state of South America. It is between the two great oceans, having also the prospect of one inter-oceanic ship-canal at one extremity and another ship-canal near the other.

Costa Rica is between 8° and 11° 16′ N. latitude and 81° 35′ and 85° 40′ W. longitude from Greenwich. Its area is between 54,070 and 59,570 sq. kilometers, the difference arising from the boundary line unsettled with Colombia. We follow here Colonel George Earl Church’s paper in the London Geographical Journal of July, 1897, which gives in a condensed form all important results of extensive explorations by Professor H. Pittier as well as well-written abstracts of important publications of the “Instituto fisico geografico Nacional” and of the “Museo Nacional” of Costa Rica.