GOVERNMENT IN COSTA RICA

Volume 1/ November 2016

EARLY GOVERNMENT

KEY FACTS

Formally known as the

Republic of Costa Rica

Type of Government:
Democratic Republic

Shortly after Christopher Columbus docked on the shore of Costa Rica

on September 18, 1502, the Spanish took over the government of the
country (Costa Rica, n.d.). The country was not as developed by the
Spanish as others, such as Mexico, due to its rough terrain (Costa Rica,
n.d.). Following in line of Mexico, Costa Rica rebelled against Spain on
September 15, 1821 (Costa Rican Government, 2014).

Country Capital:
San Jose

GOVERNMENT BREAKDOWN

Gained independence from

Spain on September 15,
1821- now a national holiday
(Independence Day)

Adopted their Constitution

in 1949

Composed of executive,
judicial, and legislative
branches
(Costa Rica Government, 2014)

Executive Branch
This branch is made up of the

President of the Republic- acts as Head of Government and State

Two Vice Presidents

Cabinet of Government- individual chosen by President

Individuals in these positions are elected every four years by the people
of the country over the age of 18.
(Government structure, n.d.)

Judicial Branch
This branch includes the Supreme Justice Court, which is made up of 22
judges. Each judge is elected for eight years.
(Government structure, n.d.)

Legislative Branch
This branch is composed of 57 deputies from a variety of political
parties.

Pictured above is the current President of Costa

Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis. He is the 47th
President of the country and was sworn into
office on Thursday, May 8, 2014 (Sanchez, M. I.,
2014).

18 deputies from the National Liberation Party

13 deputies from the Citizens Action Party

9 deputies from the Broad Front Party

8 deputies from the Social Christian Unity Party

4 deputies from the Libertarian Movement

2 deputies from the Costa Rican Renovation Party

1 deputy from the Accessibly Without Exclusion Party

1 deputy from the National Restoration Party

1 deputy from the Democratic Christian Alliance

These representatives are also elected every four years.
(Government structure, n.d.)

References
Costa Rica. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.geographia.com/costa-rica/history.htm
Costa Rica Government 2016 (2014, June 22). Retrieved from http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/costa_rica/costa_rica_government.html
Government structure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://costaricaembassy.be/en/costa_rica/government/
Sanchez, M. I. (2014, May 8). Sols becomes Costa Ricas 47th president amid high expectations for change. Retrieved from
http://www.ticotimes.net/2014/05/08/solis-becomes-costa-ricas-47th-president-amid-high-expectations-for-change