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Population and Settlement
Population and Settlement in Costa Rica
One man, known by the name of Christopher Columbus, brought attention to the country of Costa Rica when he had to dock on the land in 1502 (Newberry, n.d.). Prior to this time, there is very little information known about the country or the people. There were about 400,000 people already living in Costa Rica during the time of Columbus’ visit (Newberry, n.d.). Because he was so impressed with the land, when Columbus returned back to Spain, he elected to make himself the ruler of the nation (Newberry, n.d.). He was not given the position.
Soon after the world learned about the rainforests of Costa Rica, the Spanish attempted to colonize the country. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, “… initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids” (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). As mentioned, the first try at colonizing Costa Rica failed due to “tropical disease and tenacious natives” (Costa Rica, n.d.). Many other attempts after this did not succeed due to various circumstances related to the nature and landscape of the island. “It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands” (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). The community developed in the Central Valley, where they planned to develop the soil (Costa Rica, n.d.). It is said that the colony lasted for over two centuries (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). Additional settlements were later established in Heredia, San José and Alajuela (Costa Rica, n.d.).
Many factors of the land of Costa Rica can be presumed as major reasons behind the colonizing of the land. It can be determined that the rich soil of the Central Valley was one of the deciding factors for the original inhabitants of the colony in Costa Rica. This soil, along with the high rainfall totals, allowed for a variety of crops to be grown. “Costa Ricans grew corn, beans and plantains for subsistence, and produced sugar, cacao and tobacco for sale” (Costa Rica, n.d.). This reason alone was enough to convince the group to settle in the area. As previously stated, the rainfall, as well as the climate were key in the decision to settle in Central Valley (Costa Rica, n.d.). The area could be compared to the Fertile Crescent due to its’ rich soil, amounts of rain and overall climate. The patterns of settlement in Costa Rica do align with the theories from Guns, Germs, and Steel because they emphasize the significance of fertile soil and the affects that it can have on the individuals that settle on it.
As time went on, several elements limited the growth of the population in Costa Rica. One instance that continued to have an impact of the people of the Central Valley were attacks by Indians and pirates (Costa Rica, n.d.). In addition to this, a volcano eruption demolished most of Cartago (Costa Rica, n.d.). Due to circumstances such as these, it is said that the population was decreased to only 50,000 people by the 18th century (Costa Rica, n.d.). From there, the population only continued to decrease due to disease and poor treatment by the Spanish, resulting in only 8,000 people about two centuries later (Costa Rica, n.d.).
All of these events were the building blocks for the Costa Rica that is known today by many for its’ tropical rainforests and abundance of imports. Without the dedication and struggles of the early settlers, no one can tell what the land would be like today. They took advantage of their resources, such as rich soil, and utilized the precipitation and overall climate of the region to harvest crops that are still being used today.
References
Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/history
Newberry, L. (n.d.). Five Historical Facts of Costa Rica. Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/five-historical-costa-rica-101560.html
The World Factbook: COSTA RICA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html
Soon after the world learned about the rainforests of Costa Rica, the Spanish attempted to colonize the country. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, “… initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids” (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). As mentioned, the first try at colonizing Costa Rica failed due to “tropical disease and tenacious natives” (Costa Rica, n.d.). Many other attempts after this did not succeed due to various circumstances related to the nature and landscape of the island. “It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands” (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). The community developed in the Central Valley, where they planned to develop the soil (Costa Rica, n.d.). It is said that the colony lasted for over two centuries (The World Factbook: COSTA RICA, n.d.). Additional settlements were later established in Heredia, San José and Alajuela (Costa Rica, n.d.).
Many factors of the land of Costa Rica can be presumed as major reasons behind the colonizing of the land. It can be determined that the rich soil of the Central Valley was one of the deciding factors for the original inhabitants of the colony in Costa Rica. This soil, along with the high rainfall totals, allowed for a variety of crops to be grown. “Costa Ricans grew corn, beans and plantains for subsistence, and produced sugar, cacao and tobacco for sale” (Costa Rica, n.d.). This reason alone was enough to convince the group to settle in the area. As previously stated, the rainfall, as well as the climate were key in the decision to settle in Central Valley (Costa Rica, n.d.). The area could be compared to the Fertile Crescent due to its’ rich soil, amounts of rain and overall climate. The patterns of settlement in Costa Rica do align with the theories from Guns, Germs, and Steel because they emphasize the significance of fertile soil and the affects that it can have on the individuals that settle on it.
As time went on, several elements limited the growth of the population in Costa Rica. One instance that continued to have an impact of the people of the Central Valley were attacks by Indians and pirates (Costa Rica, n.d.). In addition to this, a volcano eruption demolished most of Cartago (Costa Rica, n.d.). Due to circumstances such as these, it is said that the population was decreased to only 50,000 people by the 18th century (Costa Rica, n.d.). From there, the population only continued to decrease due to disease and poor treatment by the Spanish, resulting in only 8,000 people about two centuries later (Costa Rica, n.d.).
All of these events were the building blocks for the Costa Rica that is known today by many for its’ tropical rainforests and abundance of imports. Without the dedication and struggles of the early settlers, no one can tell what the land would be like today. They took advantage of their resources, such as rich soil, and utilized the precipitation and overall climate of the region to harvest crops that are still being used today.
References
Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/history
Newberry, L. (n.d.). Five Historical Facts of Costa Rica. Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/five-historical-costa-rica-101560.html
The World Factbook: COSTA RICA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cs.html
Maps
Sunshine Map- R., & S. (n.d.). Costa Rica Dry Season, Temperatures & Sunshine Map. Retrieved from http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/weather/sunshine-temperature-map/
This map shows the chance of sunshine across the country of Costa Rica. From the map, one can see that at the areas of settlement of the initial colonies, such as Cartago, were not the sunniest on the map, but received just enough sun to produce crops.
Rainfall Map- R., & S. (n.d.). Costa Rica Rainy Season & Rainfall Map. Retrieved from http://costa-rica-guide.com/travel/weather/weather-map-rainfall/
This map demonstrates the average yearly precipitation totals in Costa Rica. As one can see, the locations of the early settlement did not receive as much rain as other locations throughout the country, but they did receive about 60-80 inches every year.
Population Pyramids
Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/
This pyramid shows that the population in Costa Rica in 1950 was overall very young. The largest portion of the population consisted of individuals that were recently born to four years old. This pyramid also shows that citizens of the country did not live past the age of 80.
Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://populationpyramid.net/
This pyramid demonstrates that the largest group of people in the population is between the ages of 20 and 29 years old. One can predict that the birth rate will begin to increase as these individuals start their own families. Also, this shows that the oldest people are over 90 years old, which is over 10 years older that the longest living person in 1950.
Additional Resources
The History of Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.travelcostarica.nu/history#a1502_1600
This source provides the reader will additional information regarding the discovery of Costa Rica by Christopher Columbus, along with the events that occurred after that involving the colonizing of the country. The website is based in San Jose, Costa Rica, therefore, it can provide the perspective of a Costa Rican, rather than someone living elsewhere.
Halloran, C. (n.d.). Pre-Columbian History & Colonization of Costa Rica. Retrieved from http://www.vacationscostarica.com/travel-guide/colonization-of-costa-rica/
I thought that this was an interesting site because the purpose of the provided information is to give people looking to travel to Costa Rica an overview of the country’s history. The page goes through the different periods of early settlement and provides images of some of the artifacts that have been found from these times.
This source provides the reader will additional information regarding the discovery of Costa Rica by Christopher Columbus, along with the events that occurred after that involving the colonizing of the country. The website is based in San Jose, Costa Rica, therefore, it can provide the perspective of a Costa Rican, rather than someone living elsewhere.
Halloran, C. (n.d.). Pre-Columbian History & Colonization of Costa Rica. Retrieved from http://www.vacationscostarica.com/travel-guide/colonization-of-costa-rica/
I thought that this was an interesting site because the purpose of the provided information is to give people looking to travel to Costa Rica an overview of the country’s history. The page goes through the different periods of early settlement and provides images of some of the artifacts that have been found from these times.