Culture and Customs of Costa Rica (Cultures and Customs of the World)

Costa Rica, the spectacularly beautiful Latin American nation, stands out from its neighbors in its political climate, economic stability, and social progressiveness. Culture and Customs of Costa Rica is a superlative introduction to the modern Costa Rica, which Costa Ricans compare in many ways to the United States. Helmuth, who spent her formative years in Costa Rica, provides an outstanding overview of this unusual and dynamic nation's place in Latin America. Featured topics include Costa Rica's: • Legacy of social reform • Religion • Social customs • Media • Literature • Art and the performing arts.Written with the highest scholarly standards, but easily accessible to students and general readers, this well-written source goes far beyond the travel guide fare in providing in-depth information on this fascinating country.Culture and Customs of Costa Rica begins with a discussion of how the country is unique in Latin America, including its incredible biodiversity, ethnic makeup, history, education policies, and women's roles. A chapter on religion covers indigenous faiths and focuses on the predominant Catholicism. Costa Rican social customs such as national traits, cuisine, family roles, and sports are presented engagingly. Chapters on media, literature, and the arts bring to light Costa Rican institutions and cultural figures. Informative appendices and a glossary round out the text. Contents 8 Illustrations 10 Series Foreword 12 Acknowledgments 14 Introduction 16 Chronology 20 1 Unique in Latin America 26 2 The Legacy of Social Reform: What Makes Costa Rica So Different 52 3 Religion 68 4 Social Customs 84 5 Broadcasting and Print Media 102 6 Literature 110 7 Performing Arts 124 8 Art 136 Appendix A: Internet Resources 144 Appendix B: Presidential Elections 1953-Present 146 Appendix C: Costa Rica at a Glance 148 Glossary 150 A 150 B 150 C 150 D 151 E 151 F 151 G 151 H 152 I 152 J 152 L 152 M 152 N 152 P 153 Q 153 T 153 Selected Bibliography 154 Index 156 A 156 B 156 C 156 D 157 E 157 F 157 G 157 H 157 I 157 J 157 K 157 L 157 M 157 N 158 O 158 P 158 Q 158 R 158 S 158 T 158 U 158 V 158 W 159 Y 159 Z 159 Ch. 1. Unique in Latin America -- ch. 2. Legacy of social reform: what makes Costa Rica so different -- ch. 3. Religion -- ch. 4. Social customs -- ch. 5. Broadcasting and print media -- ch. 6. Literature -- ch. 7. Performing arts -- ch. 8. Art. Chalene Helmuth. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [129]-130) And Index.