to make themselves feel more beautiful.
202 Cosmetics BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Costa Rica
The Republic of Costa Rica is known
for having the most stable democratic
government in Central America. Its
name means “rich coast.” The capital
and largest city is San Jose.
Geography
Costa Rica is surrounded by Nicaragua,
the Pacific Ocean, Panama, and the
Caribbean Sea.Mountains—some with
active volcanoes—run through the land.
Earthquakes are also a danger. The
coastal plains are hot year-round, while
the mountains have milder temperatures.
Plants and Animals
Forests of broad-leaved, evergreen trees
cover much of Costa Rica. The country
has both North and South American
types of animals. South American
animals include monkeys, anteaters, and
sloths. North American ones include
deer, wildcats, and coyotes. Tropical
birds, snakes, and iguanas are also
common.
People
Most Costa Ricans are white. Many
others are mestizos (people with mixed
European and Native American roots).
There are also small groups of Africans,
Asians, and Native Americans. Spanish
is the official language. Most people are
Roman Catholics.
Economy
Manufacturing, trade, tourism, and
other services are the main economic
activities. Manufacturers make mainly
food products and beverages. Exports
include electronic parts and bananas.
History
Before Christopher Columbus arrived
in 1502, Native Americans lived in
what is now Costa Rica. The area was a
colony of Spain until 1821, when it
joined the Mexican Empire. In 1823
Costa Rica and four other countries
declared their independence from
Mexico as the United Provinces of
Central America. Costa Rica left that
union in 1838.
In 1890 Costa Rica held the first free
and honest election in Central America.
Despite brief revolutions in 1917 and
1948, the country developed peacefully.
In the late 20th century Costa Rica
helped to settle political fighting in
neighboring countries.
#More to explore
Central America • San Jose
Facts About
COSTA RICA
Population
(2008 estimate)
4,389,000
Area
19,730 sq mi
(51,100 sq km)
Capital
San Jose
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
San Jose, Limon,
Alajuela, San
Isidro de El General,
Cartago,
Liberia
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Costa Rica 203
Cote d’Ivoire
The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire lies on
the west coast of Africa. Its name, meaning
“Ivory Coast,” came from its trade in
elephant tusks, or ivory. Yamoussoukro
is the official capital, but most government
offices are in Abidjan.
Cote d’Ivoire shares borders with
Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso,
and Ghana. The Atlantic Ocean lies to
the south. The land rises from the coast
to high savanna, or grassland, in the
north. Mountains run through the west.
The climate is generally hot and humid.
The tropical rain forest in the south
contains teak trees. Its wildlife includes
giant forest hogs and bongos (a type of
antelope). Antelope, lions, and elephants
live in the northern savanna.
Major ethnic groups include the Akan
and theMande. French is the official
language.Most people areMuslim or
Christian, but many follow traditional
African religions or no religion.
Cote d’Ivoire’s economy depends on
agriculture. Farmers grow yams, cassava,
and other crops for food. They grow
cocoa and coffee for export. The country
also produces petroleum (oil), natural
gas, wood, gold, and diamonds.
Important kingdoms existed in the
region for centuries before Europeans
arrived in the 1400s. The Europeans
built a trade in ivory and slaves. In 1893
France made the region a colony. Cote
d’Ivoire gained independence in 1960.
Years of unrest led to a civil war in the
early 21st century.
..More to explore
Abidjan • Yamoussoukro
Growing and selling fruits and
vegetables is an important part
of Cote d’Ivoire’s economy.
Facts About
COTE D’IVOIRE
Population
(2008 estimate)
19,624,000
Area
123,863 sq mi
(320,803 sq km)
Capital
Yamoussoukro
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Abidjan, Bouake,
Daloa,
Yamoussoukro
204 Cote d’Ivoire BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Cotonou
Population
(2004 estimate)
818,100
Cotonou is the largest and most important
city in theWest African country of
Benin. Although Porto-Novo is Benin’s
capital, the president and many government
officials work in Cotonou.
Cotonou lies at the southern end of
Benin on the Gulf of Guinea. It is an
important port and the business center
of Benin. The main products made in
Cotonou are cloth goods, beverages, and
palm oil.
Cotonou is also a lively city filled with
street sellers and markets. The Artisanal
Center offers arts and crafts made by
local artists. The Marche Dantokpa is a
large, open-air market with many goods
for sale. Cotonou’s beaches attract many
visitors. The National University of
Benin is located in Cotonou as well.
The land around Cotonou was once
known as Dahomey. In the 1800s the
French slowly took control of Cotonou
from the king of Dahomey. The French
conquered all of Dahomey by 1894.
Dahomey gained independence in 1960.
The country finished building a modern
port at Cotonou in 1965.
#More to explore
Benin • Porto-Novo
Cotton
Cotton is a fiber, or hairlike material,
that people use to make cloth and other
