Costa Ric Different Than Other Central American Countries

Compared to other Central American countries Costa Rica is very different. In Costa Rica you can get away and enjoy its variety of activities. Costa Rica has a very diverse landscape and a variety of animals. Costa Rica is different than other Central American countries because of the country's geography, culture, and history. Costa Rica has a very diverse landscape. Costa Rica has many climates because of its different landscapes ranging from beaches and jungles to mountains and volcanoes (“Costa Rica”). Costa Rica has three main topographic regions (“Costa Rica”). The central highlands, extending from northwest to southeast, reach elevations of more than 3,660 meters (12,000 feet) south of San José. The highest point in the country is Chirripó Grande (3,810 meters/12,500 feet). Four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital city. The Irazu, with an altitude of 3,432 meters (11,260 feet), is the highest active volcano in the country (“Costa Rica”).
Half of the population, the centers of culture and government, four of the six main cities, and the bulk of the coffee industry are found on the plateau (“Costa Rica”).
The Atlantic coastal plain, on the Caribbean side of the highlands, makes up about 30 percent of Costa Rica's territory and is low, swampy, hot, excessively rainy, and heavily forested. The Pacific slope, some 40 percent of the country's area, resembles the Caribbean lowlands, but to the northwest is a dry area suited to cattle raising and grain production. The lowest point is at sea level (Pacific Ocean) (“Costa Rica”). Not only is the landscape very interesting, Costa Rica also is home to many distinct species including 232 mammals, 838 birds, 258 reptiles, and 183 amphibians (“Costa