A small tropical country,     Costa Rica    lies between two oceans.  This,  combined with its complex mountainous topography, gives rise to a extensive variety of habitats. These range from tropical dry forest and lowland rainforest to páramo, with a correspondi ng difference in climatic conditions. In general, temperatures vary between 14 and 22 degrees Centigrade in the high Central Valley and between 22 and 28 Centigrade in the lowlands. Temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year, although some slight changes take place according t o whether it is "Summer" (the dry season) or "Winter" (the wet season). Summer usually prevails from December to April and Winter from May to November. These seasons are clearly defined on the Pacific side of the country but are much less noticeable on th e Caribbean side where the precipitation is much more evenly distributed throughout the year. Costa Rica is divided by seven provinces:  San Jose, Puntarenas, Limon, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia y Alajuela.     The colors of the Costa Rican flag are: blue, white, red, white and blue.  It has a shield in the middle red fringe. The five striped flag of blue-white-red-white-blue,  the red stripe being double width of each the other four. Offset to the hoist in the red stripe on white oval is set the coat of arms.       The coat of arms  has REPUBLICA DE COSTA RICA in a scroll in chief of the shield and AMERICA CENTRAL in a circular scroll above the shield           Puntarenas and Limon were created provinces in 7 July 1909 and before they were not provinces but regions (level a bit lower that province). In 1909 the meaning of stars was fully forgotten and when arms were slightly modifies in 13 June 1934, the five stars remained unchanged. only in 1964 two stars were added.  The mountains represent the volcanoes and mountains.        Two oceans:  pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.  The sun of justice and freedom.     The constitution prohibits any army, to maintain peace and order the Civil Guard serves as a police force. The city of San José was founded in 1848 . Most of its old buildings go back approximately 150 years. The architecture of churches , cathedrals, and many modern buildings, is incredibly rich and varied.         Located in Central America: Costa Rica is bordered on the north by Nicaragua, on the south by Panama, the Pacific ocean on the west and the Caribbean on the east. During his fourth voyage to the New World in 1502, Christopher Columbus landed at "Cariari," known today as Puerto Limon. Columbus actually named Costa Rica (rich coast) under the assumption that the land was filled with precious metals. The earth never yielded gold and silver, but the name was perfect for the wealth of natural beauty and flawless climate. The first settlers in Costa Rica were the Chorotega, Huetares and Brunca or Boruca Indians; today there are still about 20,000 Indians living here.   In February 1986 Costa Ricans elected as their president a relatively young sociologist and economist-lawyer named Oscar Arias Sánchez. Arias's electoral promise had been to work for peace. Immediately, he put his energies into resolving Central America's regional conflicts. He attempted to expel the counter-revolutionary forces, or contras, from Costa Rica and enforce the nation's official proclamation of neutrality made in 1983. Arias's tireless efforts were rewarded in 1987 when his Central American peace plan was signed by the five Central American presidents in Guatemala City, an achievement that earned the Costa Rican president the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize, a distinction in which the whole nation justly takes pride.  He was reelected president again in 2007.        Palmares, Costa Rica       Talamanca Indigene Reservation   Our Mission and Vision is to bring youth groups into the experience of the missionary field in a practical and effective way. building schools, churches, painting, ministering and preaching as well. Serving God is marvelous and rewarding for those that have been called by Him. We believe that each one of us have a talent or a gift that has been given by God in order to help and reach others. If you are interested and want to be part of this trip please write to Free in Christ Ministries

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