| Costa Ricans (Ticos) | ||
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Ticos Costa Ricans have a very strong self image that is unique among Latin American nations and most other world nations. That image is based in their country�s history. Costa Ricans are distinct from their neighbors in that the country has much more of a European or American feel than a Latin American feel. Costa Ricans often refer to themselves as Ticos which is said to derive from a colonial saying �we are all hermaniticos (little brothers).� A 1989 census showed a population of 2.92 million people with more than half living in the Central Valley. Over a quarter of a million people live in the capital city of San Jose alone. As people become more mobile, the population is gradually shifting to coastal areas where tourism (and the jobs that go with it) is growing. The total population growth rate is declining rapidly. New families are likely to have only 2-3 children. Their parents typically came from families with 5-8 kids and their grandparents from families with more than 10 siblings. Most Ticos believe their country is truly a �classless democracy.� In general, they do not have overt racial or economic discrimination amongst themselves, but there is discrimination directed at immigrants from neighboring countries. Costa Rica also has a �hidden� ruling class. While they do have an active and effective democracy, 36 of their 49 presidents were from 3 families and � of their congressmen up to 1970 were direct descendants of the original Spanish conquistador families. Ticos are very personable people and will go out of their way to help you. One thing you cannot count on though is punctuality. Most Ticos operate on what is known as �Tico Time.� While the job will get done, don�t count on it being according to your time table.
Ethnicity Costa Rica is a very racially homogeneous society. Over 90% of the population is mixed blood (mestizo) from the variety of races present in the country. True aboriginal natives of the country are very rare with less than 1% of the total population or about 30,000 individuals. Only six native languages have survived to the present day and are now encouraged through legislation that allows for bilingual education. These indigenous people only earned the right to vote in 1994.
Education The Costa Rican government does support universal education for all of its citizens. The Ticos often brag that they have more teachers than soldiers, which is relatively easy since they have no standing army. The literacy rate (while probably inflated) is listed as 93%. Education through the 9th grade is mandatory and there is a network of public schools throughout the country. Prior to 1940, Costa Rica had no institutions of higher learning. Now they boast 4 highly rated universities. In 1869, Costa Rica became one of the first countries to make education both obligatory and free through 6th grade. In the 1970�s, schooling to 9th grade (age 14) became compulsory. After this, students must pay annual tuition for an education. It is estimated that most Ticos aged 15 or older drop out of school in after 9th grade. Because of the cost of obtaining an education past 9th grade, and the large number of public schools, it is difficult to hire and retain qualified teachers.
Economics Costa Rica is primarily an agriculture based country with tourism a growing economic sector. The economic landscape is very diverse with wealth unevenly distributed. Essentially, the country is one where thousands thrive while millions scrape by. The poorest 50% of the population only receive 20% of the national income. Of these people, 20% are called marginados and are so poor that they remain outside the mainstream of progress. Every Tico, even the poorest, are very proud of their homes. Even if it is made of scraps of lumber and tin, they are always kept exceptionally clean and often will even have a small flower bed.
Health Costa Rica has invested heavily in health care. Costa Rica assigns about 10% of its Gross Domestic Product to health care. There is a doctor of every 700 people and a hospital bed for about every 275 people. The average Tico can expect to live past 73 years.
Religion The government of Costa Rica has many links to the Roman Catholic church, yet it is also very secular. The dominant denomination in Costa Rica is Roman Catholic with 69% of Ticos associating themselves with that church, yet only 40% of those actually attend mass regularly. Catholicism is the official state religion and the Catholic marriage ceremony is the only church marriage granted state recognition. Other denominations can perform the marriage ceremony, but the couple must then legalize the union through a civil service. Land for Catholic churches is provided by the government, even the bishops of the church are paid by the state. Even with that, the government still sanctions many things the church frowns upon such as prostitution, divorce, and gambling. Approximately 18% of the population belongs to protestant or other religions (1%) and 12% espouse no religion at all. |
