A. THE COUNTRY

The Republic of Costa Rica, in Latin America, is an agriculturally and ecologically rich land that straddles the Central American isthmus.  A long history of a stable, multiparty democratic government has helped to have a stabilizing influence in the conflicts of surrounding lands. While dependent on agriculture, there is a recent growth in the tech sector and tourism (especially eco-tourism).  Inflation and the deficit are very high, and 20% still live in deep poverty.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population exceeds 4.5 million.  The official language is Spanish. English and Mekitelyu are spoken on the Caribbean coast. ~93.9% are Spanish speaking, ~1.1% are Amerindian, ~5% are Other (Jamaican/Creole and Chinese).  There are 500,00-70,000 Nicaraguan refugees and migrant labourers.

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Roman Catholicism is the official state religion.  While all limitations to other religions are illegal, in practice other religions are not yet equal before the law.

~93.94% claim Christianity, ~4.17% Non-religious, ~0.8%

Ethnoreligionist, ~0.53% Chinese, ~0.28% Baha’i, ~0.13% Other, ~0.1%

Buddhist, ~0.05% Jewish.

Of those in the Christian category:

~73.28 are Catholic, ~12.49% Protestant, ~4.62% Independent, ~3.73%

Unaffiliated, ~0.02% Anglican.

Evangelicals represent ~14.8% of the population.

Charismatics are ~22% and ~9.6% of those are Pentecostals.

Other groups originating in Western society represent ~2.44% of the

population.  Donna Siemens

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.