Ecotourism emphasizes a minimal impact on the environment. It provides income that helps to both preserve protected areas as well as benefiting local populations, to reduce their dependence on activities possibly harmful to natural habitat.
Fortunately, Costa Rica, the birthplace of ecotourism, is also the place where this activity has achieved the highest level of success.Costa Rica takes pride in the fact that evrey day tens of thousands of visitors experience the incredible variety of wildlife in this natural paradise.
Costa Rica, a small country,measuring 51.100 square kilometers, is replete with breathtaking landscapes and a variety of natural wealth. This small stretch of land, representing barely 0.3% of the earth's total surface area, houses 5% of the global biodiversity. Cost Rica is home to more bird species than the United States, as well as a greater variety of butterflies than all Africa. These facts demonstrate why this Central American nation of 3.5 million inhabitants has received such considerable international recognition in the area of biodiversity.
Living in Costa Rica's diverse habitats and ecosystems are: 13 thousand plant species, 2000 moth and 4500 butterfly species, 163 varieties of amphibians, 220 types of reptiles, 1600 species of fresh and salt water fish, and at least 850 sorts of birds.
The extensive landscape also boasts many different types of forests, including, deciduous, mangrove swamps, rain forests, herbaceous ponds, cloud forests, moors, palm groves, oak woods, coral reefs, riparian forests and swamp groves.
Costa Rica's environmental wonders are extensive volcanoes, several of which are active and produce relaxing thermal springs, are some of Costa RIca's most popular attractions. There are deep caves to explore and preColumbian settlements site of many meso-American archaeological studies. These are all part of a vast system of 21 national parks, 9 wildlife refuges, 13 biological reserves, 12 forest reserves and 24 protected zones, covering 25% of the national territory.
The Costa Rican Government, in an effort to prederve teh natural riches of this contry, is currently implementing sustainable development policies that foster the adequate use of natural resources.
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