Costa Rica came under Spanish colonial rule in the sixteenth century and became an independent republic in 1847. Following a brief civil war in 1948, Costa Rica officially abolished its military and remains one of a few sovereign nations with no official military. By the late nineteenth century, Costa Rica had experienced a significant period of growth and transformation with a period of sustained prosperity spurred on by agricultural exports, including coffee, sugar, and cacao destined for eager markets across the United States and Europe. Transporting agricultural products to ports in the east to ship to Europe was difficult prior to the completion of a central railroad in 1890. The rail line from San Jose to Limon in the east proved a valuable resource and allowed the nation to continue developing in the central plateau. Costa Rica's rich history and tropical jungles, as well as the vast coastline, have made it an attractive destination for tourists, and it remains one of the most stable countries in Central America. Costa Rica remains one of the few nations that have successfully performed reforestation and brought back many of its natural landscapes from land that had been cleared to make way for farms and ranches. Costa Rica's rich history continued to develop throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century.This map immediately transports the viewer back in time, creating an indelible bond between the past and present. This depiction's unique aesthetic and minimal style make it stand out as a valuable piece of cartographic history.
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