Americas
Costa Rica: flag, map, capital and facts
Everything about Costa Rica: its flag, its map and its facts.
- Capital
- San José
- Population
- 5.2 million
- Area
- 51,100 km²
- Currency
- Costa Rican Colón (₡)
#126 by population · #126 by area · #73 economy in the world · #88 by population density
Population and society
Population of cr, 1960–2025. From 1.3 million in 1960 to 5.2 million in 2025.
- Population density
- 102 per km² (rank 88 of 194)
- Urban population
- 79.7% (2025)
- Under 15
- 18.3% (2025)
- Over 65
- 12.8% (2025)
- Children per woman
- 1.32 (2024)
- Internet users
- 87.2% (2024)
Economy and nature
- GDP
- $102.9B (rank 73 of 194)
- Unemployment
- 6.8% (2025)
- Inflation
- -0.1% (2025)
- Forests
- 59.1% (of its land · 2024)
- CO₂ per person
- 1.6 t (a year · 2024)
- Lowest point
- 0 m (sea level)
Figures: World Bank, latest year with data. Lowest point: reviewed by hand.
Symbols
- Anthem
- Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera
- Official name
- República de Costa Rica
Coat of arms and anthem: Wikimedia Commons.
Practical facts
- Official language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +506
- Internet domain
- .cr
- Driving side
- On the right
- Time zone
- UTC−6
- Demonym
- Costa Rican
Geography
- Continent
- Americas
- Neighbouring countries
- Nicaragua, Panama
- Highest point
- Cerro Chirripó (3,820 m)
- Largest city
- San José, the capital
- Access to the sea
- Yes
History and politics
- Form of government
- Presidential republic
- Independence from
- Spain (1821)
Economy and life
- GDP per person
- $19,970 (2025)
- Life expectancy
- 81 years (2024)
- Human Development Index
- 0.833 (rank 62 of 193)
Provinces in figures
| Flags | Name | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Alajuela | 1,035,464 (2022) | 9,772 |
 | Cartago | 545,092 (2022) | 3,093 |
 | Guanacaste | 412,808 (2022) | 10,196 |
 | Heredia | 479,117 (2022) | 2,663 |
 | Limón | 470,383 (2022) | 9,177 |
 | Puntarenas | 500,166 (2022) | 11,299 |
 | San José | 1,601,167 (2022) | 4,970 |
Capitals, population and area: Wikidata. The year of each population is in brackets.
Flags: Wikimedia Commons. Authors, where the licence asks for it: Alajuela (CC BY-SA 3.0, Milenioscuro), Heredia (CC BY-SA 3.0, Keepscases).
Its flags over time
Costa Rica · 1821–1823
Costa Rica · 1823–1824
Costa Rica · 1824–1824
Costa Rica · 1824–1840
Costa Rica · 1840–1842
Costa Rica · 1842–1848
Costa Rica · 1848–1906
Costa Rica · 1906–1964
Costa Rica · 1964–1998- Costa Rica · 1998–today
Flags: Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Costa Rica?
San José
How many people live in Costa Rica?
5.2 million inhabitants (2025)
What currency is used in Costa Rica?
Costa Rican Colón
What is the official language of Costa Rica?
Spanish
What is the calling code of Costa Rica?
+506
Which countries border Costa Rica?
Nicaragua and Panama
What is the highest point of Costa Rica?
Cerro Chirripó (3,820 m)
Play Costa Rica · Flag of Costa Rica · Country fact sheets · Maps: Americas · Geotaria
Data: World Bank (population, economy), UNDP (human development), Wikidata, GeoNames and mledoze/countries.