Costa Rica in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture [Paperback]

Tjabel Daling (Author)

Book Description

Series: Costa Rica | Publication Date: May 23, 1998

Distinctive among the turbulent nations of Central America, Costa Rica enjoys a much-envied reputation for political stability and prosperity. Since abolishing its army in 1948, the "Switzerland of Central America" has experienced unbroken democratic rule and respect for human rights. Yet this small country has also been drastically affected by the debt crisis of the 1980s and ensuing structural adjustment, with resulting increases in poverty and social inequality. Though its economy was traditionally based on coffee and bananas, Costa Rica is now among the world's top eco-tourism destinations. The influx of tourists brings vital income and employment but also threatens to spoil the country's spectacular natural beauty. Costa Rica in Focus is an authoritative and up-to-date guide to this fascinating country. It explores: The history, the economy, the society, the environment, the culture and where to go and what to see.

Product Details

• Paperback: 82 pages
• Publisher: Interlink Pub Group Inc (May 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566562309
• ISBN-13: 978-1566562300
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,165,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > History > Americas > Central America > Costa Rica

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Outdated, April 30, 2003

By 

LARRY LAFELLE DAVIS (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costa Rica in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (Paperback)

When one purchases a book that says on the inside flap that "This edition first published in 2002," one might expect the information to be up to date. The truth is, the book was written in 1997, six years ago, and has not be updated at all. This is important because information about every subject covered (history and politics, economy, society, environment and eco-tourism, and culture) has changed in critical ways since that time.

That is not to say, that the book is useless - just not accurate in 2003. What I found annoying is the immediacy of the writing and no indication that you are reading anything but current information. Unless you happen to know that Figueres is no longer president of Costa Rica, you would likely assume the facts and figures presented were correct as of 2002.

There have been two Costa Rica presidents elected since the author took fingers to keyboard. Much has changed in Ticoland, but you would never know it from reading this book.

1.0 out of 5 stars Short & Dry, February 9, 2004

By 

S. Brown-hiegel "traveler" (Los Angeles, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Costa Rica in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (Paperback)

This is not a "book," per se, but a 75-page "guide" in which facts are presented as statistics in a sort of beaurocratic mode. It's like reading a report from a financial research institute or a forensic accountant!

A MUCH better overview of the country's geology, politics, economy, immigration, agriculture, ecological convservation, and social history is the coffee-table book, "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made."

PLUS it's a beautiful book. I mean, just look at the cheesy cover of "Costa Rica in Focus"! A much better buy for the money, and more interesting writing all-round!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Costa Rica in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (Paperback)

Hi, I am working at ILISA Spanish Language Institute in San Jose, Costa Rica and I just want to say that this book helps our students a lot by giving them helpful inside information and thus by getting to know all the ins and outs about this fantastic country. Thanks!