Geography of Costa Rica
Location
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic Coordinates
10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geographical Area
Land
50,660 Sq Km.
Water
440 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
639 Km.
Border Countries
Nicaragua
309 Km.
Panama
330 Km.
Length of Coastline
1,290 Km.
Terrain
Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes.
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Pacific Ocean 0m
Highest Point
Cerro Chirripo 3,810m
Natural Resources
Hydropower.
Land Use
Arable Land
4%
Permanent Crops
6%
Other
90%
Irrigated Land
1,080 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes.
Environmental Issues
Deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution.
