History of Costa Rica

History of Costa Rica

Key Dates

• 1502: During his final voyage, Christopher Columbus arrives in Puerto Limón Bay. The territory is then home to around 400,000 indigenous people living in small communities.

• 1525: The Viceroyalty of New Spain and the Captaincy General of Guatemala are established, encompassing much of Central America for three centuries. Costa Rica is attached to this Captaincy, forming its southern limit.

• Mid-16th century: The Spanish settle in Costa Rica with difficulty. Despite its name, the country remains the poorest territory in the Spanish Empire. Having found no gold or silver, the settlers turn to agriculture.

• 17th to early 19th century: Completely neglected by the Spanish crown, the local population and authorities gradually forge their own society, and a desire for independence slowly emerges.

• 1821: Anticipated for about a decade across Central America, independence from Spain is achieved in the same way as in other territories in the region.

• 1823: Costa Rica becomes one of the six republics of the Federal Republic of Central America (which dissolves in 1840). It regains full nationhood in 1838 after a brief civil war in 1835.

• Mid-19th century: Coffee, introduced from Cuba in 1808, becomes the country’s top export, bringing a degree of prosperity.

• 1857: The armed intervention of American adventurer William Walker, who seeks to take over the country and its neighbors, fails.

• Late 19th to early 20th century: Economic growth is driven by coffee and bananas. During this period, American companies (including the United Fruit Company) and the U.S. government take an interest in the region. Despite internal tensions, the country avoids the conflicts and dictatorships that plague its neighbors.

• 1930s–1950s: The 1929 crisis and World War II create economic instability, hindering reforms amid local tensions.

• 1948: Following disputed election results, a brief civil war breaks out, led—and won—by opposition leader José Figueres Ferrer. This remains one of the few violent episodes in the country’s history.

• 1949: The new Figueres government, re-elected multiple times, enacts a new constitution and dissolves the armed forces.

• 1970: National parks and nature reserves are established, now covering a quarter of the country.

• 1987: Costa Rican President Óscar Arias receives the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace in Central America. He serves as president again from 2006 to 2010.

• 1990s: After a recession at the start of the decade, the country encourages foreign investment and tourism development.

• 2010: Laura Chinchilla, elected president of Costa Rica for a four-year term, becomes the first woman to hold the position in Central America. Unpopular reforms and strong social conservatism driven by the Catholic Church lead to her party’s defeat in the 2014 elections.