Government of Costa Rica
Long Conventional Name
Republic of Costa Rica
Short Conventional Name
Costa Rica
Long Local Name
Repulica de Costa Rica
Short Local Name
Costa Rica
Government Type
Democratic Republic
Capital City
San Jose
Administrative Divisions
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence Day
Saturday, 15th September 1821
Constitutional History
7 November 1949
Legal System
Based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive Branch
Chief of State
President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006)
Head of Government
President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006)
Cabinet
Cabinet selected by the president
Elections
President and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010)
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Judical Branch
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Flag Description
Five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
