10.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 78.89 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 2.42 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.54% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 750 (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s) adjective: Costa Rican

Ethnic groups: white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%,
Chinese 1%, other 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant
0.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%

Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 95.5% male: 95.5% female: 95.5% (1999 est.)

Government Costa Rica

Country name: Republic of Costa Rica conventional short form:
Costa Rica

Government type: democratic republic

Capital: San Jose

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia);
Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 7 November 1949

Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of
legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch: chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May
2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second
Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president
is both the chief of state and head of government head of government:
President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth
SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since
NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government cabinet: elected on the same ticket by popular vote for
four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election
held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006) election results:
Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC)
58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea
Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to
serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to