SPANISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE.

Spanish language is spoken in all the national territory, Equatorial Guinea, the Sahara, Central and South America, except Brazil, is the fourth language in the world in terms of numbers of speakers, over 330 million. Costa Ricans speak Central American Spanish, but they, like most other Central American countries over the years, have developed distinct patterns in their language.

The culture in Costa Rica is influenced by a fusion of indigenous (Mesoamerican) and European culture.

Costa Rica is possibly the most peaceful country in the Western Hemisphere. Its former president, Oscar Arias, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, and this small Central American nation is proud of the fact that it has no army. How many countries can boast that they spend more money on education than on their national defense?

Education is highly regarded in Costa Rica by most of the population. 6% of the country's resources are dedicated to education and it has been proved to have positive results as > 95% of the population is literate.

Costa Rican cuisine does not have distinct or original styles to call its own. It is a combination of Spanish-American, Caribbean and Southern American influences. This style of cuisine is shared by most of Central America, although local variations have appeared in each of the country.

Pura Vida! used by Costa, literally translated means "Pure Life." Contextually, it means "This is living!", "Going great!" It is used as a greeting, a farewell, and to express satisfaction. Who adopt the expression properly get a big smile in return. It is an acknowledgment of the Costa Rican attitude towards life.