Government and Democrary

Costa Rica is a democratic republic consisting of executive, legislative and judicial branches as well as a supreme court. The 57-member unicameral Legislative Assembly has four principal party factions -- National Liberation Party (PLN), Citizen's Action Party (PAC), Libertarian Movement Party (PML), and Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC). Other smaller parties participate in the government as well. Every four years, national elections are held on the first Sunday in February. All citizens who are at least eighteen years old are eligible and required to vote. In keeping with Tico culture, national elections are a party of sorts with adults and children taking to the streets to wave their party's banner. Elections are held for president and two vice presidents, the 57 members of congress and municipal government. Representatives of congress cannot run for reelection in consecutive terms. Women make up 40% percent of the current Congress.

San Jose is Costa Rica's capital. The country consists of seven provinces divided into 81 counties which are subdivided into 421 districts. Each municipal council has its own president. December 2002 marked the first time the governor was elected in a direct vote. All members of the municipal council, which elects the governor, are elected via popular vote on the same day as the president. The electoral tribunal oversees elections. The Supreme Court of Justice exercises judicial power, and magistrates are appointed to renewable 8-year terms by the executive branch.

Costa Rica won its independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. From 1823 to 1839 Costa Rica was a state within the Federal Republic of Central America. Since then it has been an independent nation. While proud of its strong democratic tradition, the country has had its share of dictatorships, conservative administrations and scandals. However, it remains a strong democracy with a high priority on preserving human rights. A huge source of pride amount Ticos is the fact that Costa Rica has not had a military in over 60 years. However, a professional Coast Guard was established in 2000.

In May 2007, the government announced its plan to become the first carbon neutral country. Later that year, the controversial Central America Free-Trade Agreement, reducing US-Central America trade barriers, was passed by a small margin. The agreement went into effect January 1, 2009.

Costa Rica is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Oscar Arias, Costa Rica's current president, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987, during his first term as Costa Rica's president, 1986-1990. His current term ends in 2010.

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