These mountains average a few thousand feet in elevation, though some peaks are much higher. 405 likes. Costa Rica maps, political and physical maps, showing administrative and geographical features of Costa Rica Costa Rica's seasons are defined by how much rain falls during a particular period. It extends 70 miles (113 km) northwest–southeast and reaches a high point in the dormant Miravalles Volcano (6,627 feet [2,020 metres]). The Pacific coast is 1,016 km long and the Caribbean coast is 212 km long, covering 50,660 km² of land area. Caribbean Central Valley Northern Pacific 5 Themes of Geography -an area where physical features and emotion tie together, special characteristic Movement Place -an area where Despite the country's size, from the mountains on its Pacific coast to the Caribbean beaches that make it a popular travel destination, Costa Rica features sights and activities for every interest. About 3 million years ago two tectonic plates pushed against each other. Costa Ricas high mountains were also a result of the many volcanoes. Almost a half of the country's land is covered by forests, though only 3.5% is covered by primary forests. Costa Rica Climate – An Overview. « Physical features of Costa Rica ». There are also 24 indigenous territories. Classroom Ideas. Some parts of the country, like the Caribbean coastline, experience random rain showers all year-round. When these volcanoes erupted, they pushed two tectonic plates against each other, creating the high mountains surrounding the Valle Central nowadays. The year can be split into two periods, the dry season known to the residents as summer (verano), and the rainy season, known locally as winter (invierno). Otherwise to the north it's Peñas Blancas, to the south and east the Panama border, and to the west the Santa Elena Peninsula. The Caribbean Plate began its eastward migration during the Late Cretaceous. As is the case in much of Central America, the avian species in Costa Rica are a mix of North and South American species. World Physical. These mountains average a few thousand feet in elevation, though some peaks are much higher. When these volcanoes erupted, they pushed two tectonic plates against each other, creating the high mountains surrounding the Valle Central nowadays. Costa Rica's northeast sector features a vast plain covered mostly by forests. Dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands. It is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia. Physical Features Government Economy & Education Culture Conclusion By Emma B: The Rainforest. Much of the region is covered by the Talamancan montane forests. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world; it contains about 5% of the world’s species. The most northern one is called  Cordillera de Guanacaste and it consists of several volcanoes, some of which are still active. Differences in land elevations relative to the sea level are represented by color. Costa Coffee was expanding rapidly into new key markets such as China and UAE and had to ensure global brand consistency. It stretches from the Nicaraguan border southeast along the Caribbean Sea …  Physical features  When you are in Costa Rica you will notice the rolling hills, volcanos, beautiful beaches, and the lush forest. Costa Rica Physical Features Attractions positive effects of ecotourism negative effects of ecotourism citations costa rica. Along the Pacific Coastline there are high sheer cliffs rising majestically from turquoise lagoons, high tide variations, rainforest to the south and dry forest to the north. Tropical dry forests remain dry until the rainy season begins in April or May. About one third of them flow into the Atlantic & the other two thirds of them flow into the Pacific. With this in mind, the following will be about Costa Rica's human and physical features. The mountains in the Cordillera de Talamanca to the South are taller and harder to traverse due to steep terrain. Costa Rica's magnificent rainforest covers much of the country and has inhabitants of all sorts. First broadcast: 21 February 2008. Learn about Physical Therapy Shadowing in Costa Rica. About 3 million years ago two tectonic plates pushed against each other. Much of the Cordillera de Talamanca is included in the La Amistad International Park, which is shared between Costa Rica and Panama. Dominated by mountains ranges replete with volcanoes, the country has suffered through its share of eruptions, as well as devastating earthquakes. Hydropower from Lake Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica. Tortuguero National Park is home to monkeys, sloths, birds; and a variety of reptiles. The internal geogr… This made animal and plant migration possible. Need a special Costa Rica map?  Physical features  When you are in Costa Rica you will notice the rolling hills, volcanos, beautiful beaches, and the lush forest. Tropical sunshine, Pacific trade wind breezes and cool misty mountains are just a part of Costa Rica's temperate tropical climate. The coastal areas are made up of beaches and mangroves. Region -a big area of land that has physical, and, cultural characteristics that make it unique. It is an active volcano. Although volcano eruptions can be destructive to the city, most homes are built farther away from them. When visiting Costa Rica, people should bring mainly shorts and t-shirts. Costa Rica's northeast sector features a vast plain covered mostly by forests. Home » Costa Rica Facts » Costa Rica Geography. These rivers flow from each side of the coastline. "This signal that we receive from the most important tourist markets for Costa Rica is encouraging to more than 600,000 Costa Ricans who directly and indirectly live from tourism Cordillera de Guanacaste, range and a section of the Continental Divide in northwestern Costa Rica. In fact, there are only … IUCN reports the Golden toad as extinct. As you move further inland, it becomes mountainous as the Talamanca Mountain Range divides the country. Costa Rica's magnificent rainforest covers much of the country and has inhabitants of all sorts. Costa Rica geographical features include over 200 active and extinct volcanoes, steep mountain slopes, endless tropical beaches with sands ranging in colors from sparkling white and pale rose to black. World Physical. There are five main mountain ranges and they are the Central, Talamanca, Tilaran, Guanacaste, and the Escazu mountain ranges. COSTA RICA PRINCIPAL PHYSICAL FEATURES OF MONOGRAPH AREA. Contrarily, the Pacific coast is quite dry most of the year. It has several different micro-climates throughout the entire country, thanks to the variation in elevation. According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 209 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants are endangered. Costa Rica has very mild winters and summers, making it a manageable place to live. Both total and per capita water usage is very high in comparison to other Central American countries but when measured against available freshwater sources, Costa Rica uses only 5% of its available supply. The Pacific Coastline is more mountainous and makes up about 80% of the coastal land. As you move further inland, it becomes mountainous as the Talamanca Mountain Range divides the country. San Jose, which is located in Costa Rica's Central Valley, has an average July high temperature of 82 degrees (28°C) and an average January low of 59 degrees (15°C). The dry season (summer) is from December-April. Costa Rica provinces - showing the administrative divisions of Costa Rica Costa Rica blank map Costa Rica simple map. Costa Rica is located on the Central American Isthmus that is part of the land bridge between the North and South American continents and sandwiched between Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South. Land use: Arable land: 4.8%. Top Answer. Chirripo Grande is the highest peak not only in the range but in southern Central America. Around 2pm it begins to rain. To understand why Costa Rica terrain is so rugged and mountainous, you must understand what happened millions of years ago. Costa Rica is known for its lush, tropical rainforest filled with exotic creatures and beautiful nature. It boarders the Caribbean Sea and is located on the Central American Isthmus. Costa Rica has many different mountain ranges, surrounding the Valle Central. Physical map illustrates the mountains, lowlands, oceans, lakes and rivers and other physical landscape features of Costa Rica. Together protected areas comprise over one-fourth of Costa Rican territory. © Copyright 2004-2021 all rights reserved. Temperatures, however, can fall below 50 degrees F on the highest mountain summits. Maps can display political boundaries, population, physical features, natural resources, roads, tourist locations, recreations, beaches, climates, elevation (topography), and economic activities. It borders the Cocos Plate in the Pacific Ocean which is being subducted beneath it. This runs from South East to the North West. Could not find what you're looking for? The Costa Rica coastline is 1290 kilometers long. Humidity is also higher on the Caribbean side than on the Pacific side. It stretches from the Nicaraguan border southeast along the Caribbean Sea … It has 212 km of Caribbean Sea coastline and 1,016 on the North Pacific Ocean. 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