Costa Rica Quiz
 

Just back from 16 days in Costa Rica and I thought I would pose this quiz that was given and asked to some new arrivals by a Tour Guide with Swiss Travel.

I did not use Swiss Travel,but I sat in on their arrival orientation as it was very near the pool bar.

The Tour Guide said:
"You should always do a little pre arrival research."
"If you bone up on the culture,history and ecology of Costa Rica, your trip will be more enjoyable"

Here are the questions he asked:

1.What are the colors of the Costa Rica Flag.?

2.Who is Juan Santamaria and why is the San Jose Airport named after him?

3.Who is Daniel Oduber and why is the Liberia airport named after him.?

4. How much of Costa Rica's land is protected by law.?

5. What is the common friendly greeting in Costa Rica.?

6. Who is William Walker and what part did he play in Costa Rican's history?

7.What are the three main exports.?

8. What was our lovely Province of Guancaste named after ?

9.Did Costa Rica ever have a Civil War.?

10.Did a Costa Rican ever win a Nobel Prize.?

Now no cheating ,you have to answer without trying to look up any of these answers.

( I just hate to brag,but I did very very well!!!..sorry about that)

Percy

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having trouble posting this

percy

Pecy, what a great idea to post this!!! Thank you. I do NOT know most of the answers, and have not yet been to CR. Your (and the tour guide's) poiint is excellent!! Before checking out any more places not to mmiss, hotels, etc, I'm going to do some research of a different sort!

.What are the colors of the Costa Rica Flag.?red white blue

2.Who is Juan Santamaria and why is the San Jose Airport named after him? one of independence leaders

3.Who is Daniel Oduber and why is the Liberia airport named after him.?an ex president

4. How much of Costa Rica's land is protected by law.?100%

5. What is the common friendly greeting in Costa Rica.?pura vida

6. Who is William Walker and what part did he play in Costa Rican's history?an invader that almost became president of nicaragua...too bad he was evicted, nicaragua will be part of the usa

7.What are the three main exports.?cafe, tourism and meat

8. What was our lovely Province of Guancaste named after ?actually this was owned by nicaragua and lost in some type of goverment deals...

9.Did Costa Rica ever have a Civil War.?yes

10.Did a Costa Rican ever win a Nobel Prize.? yes not long a go a ex president was awarded the prize

I got three out of ten ! (I think).

Do you know all the answers ,if so, could you please give the answers, okay , pretty please.

jmvp

Hi:

I am a costarican who love my country and here are the answers:

Author: Percy
Date: 12/18/2004, 11:14 am

Here are the questions he asked:

1.What are the colors of the Costa Rica Flag.? blue-white-red-white-blue

2.Who is Juan Santamaria and why is the San Jose Airport named after him?

He was our national heroe who fought against William Walker in 1856 and burned the "meson" forcing them to leave the country and go to Nicaragua, then in 1857, Walker was defeated by other Central American countries and Costa Rica. Our international airport was named after him to honor him and because it is located in Alajuela province. (where he was borned )

3.Who is Daniel Oduber and why is the Liberia airport named after him.?
He was one of our ex-presidents and the Liberia airport was named after him because it was built on his presidential period
4. How much of Costa Rica's land is protected by law.?
25%
5. What is the common friendly greeting in Costa Rica.?
Pura Vida
6. Who is William Walker and what part did he play in Costa Rican's history?
He was an invador from USA who wanted to own the Central American Countries. He actually was president of Nicaragua and then invaded Costa Rica. Here comes our national heroe,Juan Santamaria and a whole country joined in a war of "independence" against them. Two events took place in 1856 (Hacienda Santa Rosa) and then 1857 (in Rivas, Nicaragua)

7.What are the three main exports.?
Coffe, being one of our main products for many years and an important element of our history, culture and economy, bananas, after the construction of the railroad and United Fruit company and more recently ornamental plants. Tourism is now one of our main income products.
8. What was our lovely Province of Guancaste named after ?
It was named after our typical tree, "arbol de Guanacaste" which can be found mainly in that province, and yes, this province joined to Costa Rica in 1823 with "Anexion del Partido de Nicoya" "de la patria por nuestra voluntad"
9.Did Costa Rica ever have a Civil War.?
We actually had 2 civil wars, being the first one in 1821, after Independence. The reason: "we didn´t know what to do with our independence declaration" some wanted to join the Mexican imperio, some wanted to have our own nation, some wanted to join Guatemala. The war was among the provinces of Cartago, Alajuela, Heredia and San Jose and we finally decided for our own nation. It only took 14 minutes. The second one was in 1948 and the result "abollition of army"
10.Did a Costa Rican ever win a Nobel Prize.?
Yes, our ex-president, Oscar Arias Sanchez won a Nobel Peace Price in 1987

I did answer all the questions right but one...yeeepa...

Sonair:

You are 100% correct.

All your explanations are very good. You do know your Country and your history.


I am happy that you mentioned both Civil Wars, not many know about the one in 1821 .

Also you are very correct about the 1857 battle with Walker in Rivas Nicaragua....I was in Rivas 9 days ago.

Of course this is where Juan Santamaria was killed.
Your reason as to why the airport was named after him is exactly correct , he was from Alajuela and therefore the local hero.

I am sure many have seen his statue in Alajuela with a canon on each side.

You explained the flag colors correctly,
because although ,one person in the crowd said the colors were red ,white and blue, they could not pick out the flag out of twelve flags on twelve poles !!!

Also you are again correct in saying that 25 % of the land is protected by law ( answer was ( 24-26%) .

And yes it was Sanchez that won the Nobel peace Prize in 1987.
I believe he wants to run again in the next election in February 2006.
I also believe your government is in the process of changing a few rules.

A past President cannot run again unless he remains out for three terms, then he can run again.

It is a pleasure to read all of your answers Sonair!


As an added note...what happened to William Walker, well when he was pushed back by the Costa Ricans from Santa Rosa area to Rivas , he then turned his attention to Honduras........some people never learn.!

He was defeated in Honduras , captured and executed by firing squad in 1858.


How many did I get out of the 10 questions??

Why I got all ten !!! which prompted the Swiss Tour Guide to chuckle, " Why don't you do the tours"
We all laughed.

But Sonair, I will not even attempt to compare my knowledge of Costa Rica with yours.

Thank You for your very good answers,it was a delight to read them.
Percy

Percy, it was Oscar Arias who won the Nobel Peace Prize--wasn't it in 1994? Who is Sanchez?

I knew all except who Daniel Oduber was (but could've guessed an ex-pres!).

Also, don't know if it answers the question as it is worded, but Costa Rica is now the primary exporter of pineapple to the world--I believe it has supplanted Hawaii in that role. Someone correct me if I am wrong!

My bad! :)

Oscar Arias Sanchez! I truly had never heard his "second" name mentioned, but of course he would have one as is customary.

Arias and Sanchez are last names, in latin america everybody uses father's and mother's last name.

Thanks miguel. Yes, I only meant that you don't usually read about Oscar Arias Sanchez! When the name is shortened, it is the last name that is left off, so I wasn't familiar with the Sanchez part. Some people regularly use both names (like the Espinoza Aguilar family I stayed with), but others frequently drop the last one. Do you typically use both of yours or do you frequently drop the last one?

At any rate, I like the custom. The mother's name is first, right?

I did all the time while i lived in nicaragua, in school every kid is called by both last names. in the usa, only creates confusion .
we hispanics use father's first, mother's second and yes even in latin america lots are dropping the two last name custom. women are droping the "de" before the husband's last name and after their maiden name...my grandmother always signed and was called by her loooooonnnnnnng name
Luisa Emilia Venerio de Cuadra, and she became a widow and added the name viuda , so became
Luisa Emilia Venerio vda de Cuadra

You are a wealth of informacion! Gracias! I find all this fascinating--get so bored with my little world and the way everyone is so "alike"! And frustrated with those who dislike, disdain, or are frightened of (or feel threatened by) anything different! Also, I have several Hispanic students, and it is useful information for me to know and appreciate their customs. Thanks again! How's the weather in Florida, speaking of "always the same"? :)

Hello Shillmac, any time you need info on hispanic-latin american culture and way of living, let me know. i was born and raised in nicaragua, and work directly with the latin american market, so knows lot about traditions.
weather has been chilly last few days, mid 40's at night and low 70's during the day, but sunny. it is nice for a change and we get to wear our winter clothes.
do you teach Espanol?

Shillmac, did you read posts to following one:
How do you deal with aggressive vendors?
Lots of cultural variety....language issues

Hi shillmac and miguel

Nice to read your comments.

Someone better correct me but I believe that Oscar Arias won the Nobel Peace prize in 1987 and not 1994.

Percy

I know he had a lot to do with the Iran-Contra delas, the sandinists in Nicaragua and he was a crucial character in all those issues. I do think that it was in the 90's

miguel

I thinkk you are right.

I think he won the Peace Prize for his attempt to bring peace with the fighting that going on with the Sandinistas and the Iran - Contras problems.

But this was during the Reagan Administration,so it would have to have been in his ( Reagan's) second term.

I still think,it was 1987 that he won the Nobel Peace Prize ...someone help !!!!

Percy

Yes 1987, I just checked his bio on line.

http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/1987/

Thank you miguel.

I was just going to post this website and see that you have the same posting.

The website was sent to me by a dear friend in Costa Rica.

Percy

Hi Guys! I stand corrected! Don't know why 1994 was standing out in my mind...:) Thanks for the facts, nothing but the facts!

Miguel, the original poster of that thread is an Oklahoma lady whom I've been in touch with by e-mail. She and I live about an hour apart. We'll have to get together sometime for a chat--she and her husband have some great trips under their belts! I'll check the latest on that thread. I've been swamped all afternoon!

No, I don't teach espanol, but have a few students who don't speak English, so I am an unofficial ESL teacher, I guess. I speak to them some in Spanish, but also encourage them to use English, to read aloud in class, etc. One little guy is making huge progress, but one of the girls really struggles. For the first time, I've been able to have parent-teacher conferences in espanol this year. Great progress on my part, and it makes me very happy! I love working with those kids, and most of the families are great people. It adds a lot of joy to my day! :)

I have a daughter who may be moving to Florida soon. If I ever get there to visit, we'll look you up! Feliz Navidad!

Hello Percy:

Hope I can help you with you doub about when Oscar Arias Sanchez won the Peace Nobel Price.
As far as I know, he won the Prize in 1987 and it was offered for his efforts and projects for peace in Central America. As you know, some Central American countries have been involved in different war or struggles among them, so he worked to bring peace to these countries.

One more thing, following the quiz on Costa Rica, I forgot to mention that there was another civil war, it was named: "Guerra de la Liga" and it took place in 1835. The reason, main provinces (ALajuela, Cartago, heredia and San Jose) wanted to have the capital city, but this war only took 16 minutes, It was as a result of "Ley de la Ambulancia" , a law which was issued by one of our expresidents, Juan Rafael Gallegos in 1833 trying to avoid struggle among our citizens, this law said that our capital city would rotate from one of the main cities to the other one every 2 years, but it didn´t work, in 1835 Braulio Carrillos, one of our former presidents, and a very important person in Costa Rica´s history nuled the law and set the capital in San Jose (maybe you don´t know that our capital was in Cartago before that)

One more thing, for those that don´t know, we use two last names (the first one is from our father and the second one from our mother, that´s why, Oscar Arias Sanchez.

Ah! Percy, i must say that you have a great knowledge of our culture and history and you could even teach it to other people interested. As per my knowledge, thank you very much...but there is a reason...I just finished my carrer as a "tour guide", so I have my knowledges fresh!!

Talking about pineapple, it is true, we are exporting this product too, we are actually exporting many non-traditional products to other countries as after many years of producing and exporting coffee as our main income, we realized that it was affected by different international crisis which brought crisis to our economy as well...that´s why we are promoting other products and tourism, as well.

Sonair:

Thank you very muchfor your report and for the added information.

Yes,I knew that Cartago was the Capital until it was moved over to San Jose.

That is a very lovely and "must see" Church you have in Cartago.

But people DO NOT try to see this church on August 2nd !!!

You will make a very good Tour Guide I am sure of that.

You people are also exporting Cantaloupe now and doing it in a big way.. good for you.

Also , I was surprised that of all the sugar fields I saw last week in your lovely country that Costa Rica still has to import sugar !

I like all your desserts in your country. They are not super sweet like we have in North America.

Merry Christmas to you

Percy

Although the agricultural exports are the traditional answer, Costa Rica is moving into the 21st century. Her number one export is now actually microprocessors.

The Intel plant outside of San José brings in most of the raw materials, assembles, and then ships out microprocessors that on the retail market are worth more than all of Costa Rica's other exports combined.

This sometimes slips through the cracks of statistical observations because the product is not mined or grown in Costa Rica, but economically it's the undisputed champion.

Another interesting export (although not in the same economic league with computer chips, coffee, bananas and lilies) are the baseballs manufactured in Turrialba for every major league game in the U.S. up to and including the world series.

Here's a deceptive one to add to the list.

11) Who "named" Costa Rica, and why did they dub it the Rich Coast?

Ray, that is a Rawlings baseball plant in Turrialba? I read about it some time back and how fast the workers could do the stitches. And then there are the macadamia nuts. . .

shillmac,
Yes, although Rawlins makes all of the balls on your local sporting goods store shelves in China, the ones for the major leagues are made in Costa Rica. They haven't moved it to a cheaper location because they are afraid that if the number of home runs were to go up or down significantly after changing manufacturing locations there would be a big brooha about juiced balls ect.

There is an interesting NYTimes article from January about baseballs and free trade.

Low-Wage Costa Ricans Make Baseballs for Millionaires
By TIM WEINER

--Ray

Low-Wage Costa Ricans Make Baseballs for Millionaires

Very controversial issue, is exactly what is happening with the "maquilas" clothes manufacturing in Latin America and the multimillion dollars corporation benefiting from this.

IMO, it has to be seen from both sides and how it is benefiting the locals too. Not sure about unemployment in Costa Rica, but the other Central American countries have incredible high level of unemployment, these manufacturing companies are helping all these people, providing employment, consequently bringing food to the table. It is true they get paid minimum wage, but they get paid the standard wages for the country.
From a foreigner prospective, this is even called slavery, the locals have to choices, starve or work at minimum wage, also most of these workers have hardly any education, grammar school if any.

Yes, I believe that is the article I read. I received the NYTimes online for awhile, so makes sense.

Miguel, you have a good point. I would think that as long as working conditions are not demeaning or abusive, the local economy would benefit a great deal from these plants. And, of course, the individuals.

costaricaguide:
I think the answer to your question #11 is:

"Who named Costa Rica and why did they dub it the Rich Coast"?

Answer:

I think it was Christopher Columbus in about 1502.
He called it the Rich Coast because when Columbus came ashore the Indians were wearing glittering gold ornament.

Percy

Percy,
I warned you that it was a deceptive question.... ;-)

costaricaguide,

Was Percy's answer correct??If not why was it called the "Rich Coast"?

Thanks
jmvp

The short answer is that if you look in most texts, or guidebooks they'll state that Columbus did indeed name Costa Rica

If you dig a little deeper it seems unlikely.

Columbus “discovered” Costa Rica in 1502 on his last voyage to the Western Hemisphere. He anchored in the Caribbean near the current location of Limón and sent out a landing party. Tradition says that Columbus christened this land Costa Rica, the “rich coast”. While he did state that he'd seen "more signs of gold in the first two days" than in years of other explorations, he referred to the area as La Huerta (The Garden). Grim descriptions in his logs report dense jungle and sucking swamps, and he returned to Spain as soon as repairs to his storm damaged ships were completed seventeen days later-never mentioning Costa Rica.


According to my history books, Gil Gonzálas Dávilla is a more likely source of what in the era of the conquistadors was an irresistible moniker. He employed brutal tactics to strip what little gold the Indians had scoured from the rivers of the Osa Peninsula on a bloody march from Panama to the gulf of Nicoya in 1522. After failing miserably in his mission to establish a permanent settlement, he returned home with the stolen gold and a proclamation that the area should be called the "Rich Coast" in a attempt to disguise his defeat as an auspicious exploration.

I's easy to see why the romantic Columbus version is more popular than the brutal subjugation and theft version, but the lack of his use of the phrase in his extensive logs seems to repudiate this.

There's yet a third version crediting Fernández de Córdoba who established the first successful Spanish settlement on the Nicoya Peninsula in 1539.

Any scholars out there with a definitive answer?

Thank You costaricaguide.

You shed a new light on this issue of why the Coast was named,"Rich Coast".

I enjoyed reading your detailed account.

Thank You once again.

Percy

More Triva Questions:

Who designed the Costa Rican flag and why are the colors red, white and blue?

Who owned the land that the Liberia airport is built on?

Where did William Walker die and how?

Why does most of Latin America use two last names?

What is Oscar's full name?

By the way.... I got 9 of the 10 if computer chips is the right answer. Money wise bananas/pineapples and chips may lead, but the export that probably makes the most money for Costa Rica and Costa Ricans is probably coffee. The majority of the coffee plantations are still owned by Ticos. Initel and Standard Fruit are owned by foreigners as well as the land they occupy in CR. Some people believe the drastic drop in world coffee prices is a conspiracy to force world coffee farmers into bankruptcy so their plantations can be purchased for 10 cents on the dollar, the middle man (the farmer) will be cut out of the equation and the conspiritors profits will sky rocket when they get the coffee prices back to what they were in the early 90's.

PS........... I'm NOT buying coffee futures!

Here are my answers for last questions of the triva quiz:

Who designed the Costa Rican flag and why are the colors red, white and blue?
It was designed by Mrs. Pacifica Fernandez in 1848. She was the wife of expresident Castro Madriz
Colors: red respresent blood from all people who died fighting
Blue: two oceans (Atlantic and Pacific)
White: liberty after indepence
Who owned the land that the Liberia airport is built on? Don´t know yet...but will check it later

Where did William Walker die and how?
He died in Honduras either in 1858 or 59. He was fusilated
Why does most of Latin America use two last names?
One last name is from father and the other one from the mother. I am not sure, but it must be a tradition brought by Spaniards
What is Oscar's full name?
Oscar Arias Sanchez

Please someone correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks for the additional questions.


chuchi:
I am hardly the one to correct you

I knew about how the colcor blue in the flag came about but not about how the red and white came to be in the flag.

Also I knew about names coming from the father and mother as friends of mine in Costa Rica told me about this.

You know I do not know what fusilated means !!!!
If it has anything to do with being executed by firing Sqad,then this is what happened to William Walker in Honduras in 1858.

Percy

Good thing this ain't baseball.........LOL pretty poor batting average.

Yes, Willy was gunned down in Honduras. This is the only one you have right.

Mrs. F did indeed "design" the flag BUT the colors may represent anything. That's not the question. How did it come to be those colors? (Hint: Turn the flag on it's side)

Can't give you hints for the airport. It would give the answer away.

Sure the two names are mom and dads..........but why!

Oscar has 4 names.