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It was Christopher Columbus, the Great Navigator, who first landed on Costa Rica’s shores in 1502. Columbus was on his fourth and final voyage to the new world and was greeted by a crew of Carib Indians, who paddled out to his ships with a warm welcome. In fact, Spaniard Gil Gonzalez Davila named the country Costa Rica, or Rich Coast, because of the gold bands the natives wore in their noses and ears. Historical highlights include: 1562 — Coronado founded Cartago, the first colonial city. 1821 — Costa Rica rebels against Spain to gain its independence. 1823 — Four neighboring cities war over becoming part of Mexico or remaining independent. Pro independents win and San Jose becomes the country’s capital. 1857 — Costa Rica and neighboring countries successfully block the invasion of William Walker, an American mercenary attempting to conquer nearly all of Central America. The victory is celebrated annually on April 11. 1948 — A one month civil war establishes the presidency of Jose Maria Figueres Ferrer, one of Costa Rica’s most influential leaders. Ferrer’s administration advanced civil rights and firmly cemented Costa Rica’s democratic values. 1987 — Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez wins the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the Nicaraguan civil war. Today, Costa Rica is known for it’s democratic values and history of peace. The country has no standing military and a grounded reputation as the most stable of Central American countries. Ruins An ancient city near San Jose continues to perplex archaeologists. The Guayabo National Monument, referred to as “a lost city in a cloud forest,” holds the mysteries of a culture the Spanish never knew existed ... they vanished just before the Spaniards landed in 1502. Only 15% of the site has been reconstructed, but you’ll enjoy viewing the large mounds, water that still flows through the city’s aqueducts, what’s believed to be Costa Rica’s first bridge and paved roads through the jungle. The best part ... it’s virtually undiscovered by tourists. For more information, visit Costa Rica Uncovered. The country’s pre-Columbian inhabitants left plenty of mysteries ... almost everywhere. Thousands of perfect granite spheres called “bolas” have been found near the west coast. The spheres range in size from a few inches in diameter to larger than a automobile. Various bolas can be found near Hacienda del Mar. For more about the mysterious stone spheres, visit World Mysteries.com.
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