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Quiz about Costa Rica  The Rich Coast
Quiz about Costa Rica  The Rich Coast

Costa Rica - The Rich Coast Trivia Quiz


Aptly nicknamed the "rich coast", Costa Rica is known for its incredible biodiversity and amazing wonders of nature. What else does this Central American nation have to offer? Let's find out!

A photo quiz by Matthew_07. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
Matthew_07
Time
3 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
411,717
Updated
Feb 10 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
496
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
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Question 1 of 10
1. As with four other Central American nations - Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, which bodies of water does Costa Rica border? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which Italian navigator, best remembered for his transatlantic maritime expeditions, is credited with discovering Costa Rica in the early 16th century and coining the nation's name? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which Costa Rican island, known for being the southernmost point of North America, provides the inspiration for the fictional island Isla Nublar, featured in the book "Jurassic Park" (1990)? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. San José was named the capital of Costa Rica in 1823. The city was named after which of the following famous figures? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The largest Costa Rican lake is associated with its dam and hydroelectric project. Not to be confused with an English football club, what is the name of the lake that is being described? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. At 3,432 meters (11,260 feet), the Irazú Volcano is Costa Rica's highest volcano. Its summit is home to Diego de la Haya. Which geographical landform is it? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. The coat of arms of Costa Rica has featured three volcanoes that represent the nation's three mountain ranges. What are their names? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Politically, Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces - Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, and San José. Not to be confused with the name of a West African nation, what is the provincial capital of the Guanacaste province? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Though Costa Rica only makes up 0.03% of the Earth's landmass, the nation accounts for approximately 5% of the world's biodiversity. Which animal, noted for its low metabolic rate, was named a national symbol of Costa Rica in 2021? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which former Costa Rican President, who served the nation for two terms (1986 - 1990, 2006 - 2010), was awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize "for his work for lasting peace in Central America"? Hint



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Sep 28 2024 : BigTriviaDawg: 10/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. As with four other Central American nations - Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, which bodies of water does Costa Rica border?

Answer: Both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea

Occupying an approximate area of 51,100 square kilometers (19,700 square miles), the Republic of Costa Rica is sandwiched between Nicaragua on the north and Panama on the southeast. The nation borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

Five Central American nations, namely Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama, border both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. El Salvador only borders the Pacific Ocean, whereas Belize only borders the Caribbean Sea.
2. Which Italian navigator, best remembered for his transatlantic maritime expeditions, is credited with discovering Costa Rica in the early 16th century and coining the nation's name?

Answer: Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica in 1502. Believing that the land contained precious minerals, he named the country Costa Rica, meaning the "rich coast" in Spanish.

Both James Cook (1728 - 1779) and Walter Raleigh (1552 - 1618) are notable British explorers. Ferdinand Magellan (1480 - 1521) is a celebrated Portuguese explorer, best remembered for his expedition to East Indies in the early 16th century.
3. Which Costa Rican island, known for being the southernmost point of North America, provides the inspiration for the fictional island Isla Nublar, featured in the book "Jurassic Park" (1990)?

Answer: Cocos Island

Cocos Island, or its Spanish name, Isla del Coco, is located in the Pacific Ocean. It is located approximately 550 kilometers (342 miles) away from the Costa Rican mainland. The entire island is a national park, and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The novel "Jurassic Park" (1990), penned by American author Michael Crichton, features the fictional island Isla Nublar, which means "clouded island" in Spanish.

Kodiak Island is located in Alaska, USA. Bora Bora belongs to French Polynesia, whereas Ko Samui belongs to Thailand.
4. San José was named the capital of Costa Rica in 1823. The city was named after which of the following famous figures?

Answer: Joseph of Nazareth, Jesus' father

San José means "Saint Joseph" in Spanish. The name refers to the Biblical character Joseph of Nazareth.

The city of San José was founded in 1736 and is noted for its good infrastructure and reputable universities.
5. The largest Costa Rican lake is associated with its dam and hydroelectric project. Not to be confused with an English football club, what is the name of the lake that is being described?

Answer: Lake Arenal

Located in the northern region of Costa Rica, Lake Arenal occupies an approximate area of 85 square kilometers (33 square miles). The Arenal dam, constructed in 1979, generates hydroelectricity for millions of homes.

Founded in 1886, Arsenal Football Club, or simply Arsenal, is an English football club based in London, England.

Lake Yojoa is Honduras' largest lake, whereas Lake Gatun is Panama's largest lake. On the other hand, Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake of Nicaragua, and the entirety of Central America.
6. At 3,432 meters (11,260 feet), the Irazú Volcano is Costa Rica's highest volcano. Its summit is home to Diego de la Haya. Which geographical landform is it?

Answer: Crater lake

Named after the scientist who documented the volcanic activity in Irazú, Diego de la Haya is a green crater lake located on the summit of the Irazú Volcano.

The Irazú Volcano is located near the city of Cartago. Though it is Costa Rica's highest volcano, the title of the nation's highest mountain goes to Mount Chirripó (3,821 meters, or 12,536 feet).
7. The coat of arms of Costa Rica has featured three volcanoes that represent the nation's three mountain ranges. What are their names?

Answer: Cordillera Central, Cordillera de Guanacaste, Cordillera de Tilarán

As the name implies, the volcanic Cordillera Central range is located in the central region of Costa Rica. The Cordillera de Guanacaste is located near the Costa Rican-Nicaraguan border.

The Alaska Range, the Cascade Range, and the Brooks Range are all located in the USA. The Chichester Range, the Great Dividing Range, and the Owen Stanley Range are found in Australia. The Serra das Traíras, the Serra do Mar, and the Serra Geral are the names of Mexican mountain ranges.
8. Politically, Costa Rica is divided into seven provinces - Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, and San José. Not to be confused with the name of a West African nation, what is the provincial capital of the Guanacaste province?

Answer: Liberia

Located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, the Guanacaste province borders the Pacific Ocean. Its capital, Liberia, nicknamed "The White City", is noted for its tourism industry.

The Republic of Liberia is located on the West African coast. The country borders Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone.
9. Though Costa Rica only makes up 0.03% of the Earth's landmass, the nation accounts for approximately 5% of the world's biodiversity. Which animal, noted for its low metabolic rate, was named a national symbol of Costa Rica in 2021?

Answer: Sloth

Specifically, the two- and three-toed sloths were named Costa Rica's national symbols. The nation's native species include Hoffmann's two-toed sloth and the brown-throated sloth. In a press release in 2021, Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado remarked, "We will ensure the adequate conservation of the sloth populations living in our territory and will ensure the proper protection of their natural habitat."

The white-tailed deer was named the national symbol of wildlife of Costa Rica in 1995 by President José María Figueres Olsen.
10. Which former Costa Rican President, who served the nation for two terms (1986 - 1990, 2006 - 2010), was awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize "for his work for lasting peace in Central America"?

Answer: Óscar Arias

Óscar Arias Sánchez was born in Heredia, Costa Rica, in 1940. He played a pivotal role in convincing the leaders from various Central American nations to sign the Central American Peace Accords (also known as the Esquipulas Peace Agreement) in 1987, which paved the way to end the Central American crisis.

Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) is an Irish poet, noted for his novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1891). Oscar de la Renta (1932 - 2014), or his birth name, Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo, is a Dominican-American fashion designer. Oscar Leonard Carl Pistorius (born 1986) is a South African athlete and convicted murderer.
Source: Author Matthew_07

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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Related Quizzes
This quiz is part of series Central American Nations:

A collection of my geography quizzes that feature all seven Central American nations - Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Enjoy!

  1. Belize - Hidden Jewel of Central America Easier
  2. Costa Rica - The Rich Coast Easier
  3. El Salvador - The Land of Volcanoes Easier
  4. Guatemala - The Land of Eternal Spring Easier
  5. Honduras - The Tibet of Central America Easier
  6. Nicaragua - The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes Easier
  7. Panama - The Crossroads of the World Average

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