The History of Costa Rica

Monica A. Rankin

• Publisher: Greenwood
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780313379444
• eBook ISBN: 9780313379451
• Edition: 1
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Latin American & Caribbean History
• Index: History

Concise yet thorough, this engaging book provides an overview of the unique history of an increasingly important Central American nation. The History of Costa Rica provides a thorough, straightforward narrative of a Central American country that has become increasingly more visible since the end of the 20th century. Written for students and the general reader, this book covers the nation from its pre-Colombian origins to the present day. This chronologically organized volume documents the area's earliest inhabitants, then moves on through the colonial period, the process of nation-state formation in the 19th century, the volatile period of liberal reform, and the era of civil war and its aftermath. More recent times are also explored, including the role of Costa Rica in the Cold War, the peace process of the 1980s, and the development of the strong tourism industry that flourishes today. Among the prominent themes running through the book are the unique historical development of the country, the importance of its democratic tradition, and Costa Rica's role in a global context.

Table of contents

• Cover
• THE HISTORY OF COSTA RICA
• ADVISORY BOARD
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Series Foreword
• Preface
• Timeline of Historical Events
• 1 Introduction: Pura Vida
• 2 Colonial Costa Rica
• 3 Independence and the Early Nineteenth Century
• 4 Emergence of National Identity
• 5 The Consolidation of the Liberal State
• 6 The Banana Republic
• 7 The Social Welfare State and Civil War
• 8 The Cold War and the Liberación Era
• 9 State-Led Development and Debt
• 10 Contemporary Costa Rica
• Notable People in the History of Costa Rica
• Glossary
• Bibliographic Essay
• Index
• About the Author