The land : the Caribbean lowlands, the mountains, and Central Valley, Guanacaste and the Pacific Coast, climate, flora and fauna, natural resources, environmental issues, cities -- History and government : Europeans in Costa Rica, colonial life, independence, the rise of San José, a new constitution, the Figueres government, an economic crisis, government -- The people : ethnic groups, education, health and welfare -- Cultural life : language and literature, music, film, theater, and media, art and architecture, religion, holidays and festivals, sports, food -- The economy : agriculture, manufacturing, services and tourism, foreign trade, transportation, the future.