Provinces of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is composed of seven provinces, which in turn are divided into 81 cantons each of which is directed by a mayor. Mayors are chosen democratically every four years by each canton's people. Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas, San José.
History
Costa Rica was inhabited by an estimated 400,000 Indians when Columbus explored it in 1502. The Spanish conquest began in 1524. The region grew slowly and was administered as a Spanish province. Costa Rica achieved independence in 1821 but was absorbed for two years by Agustín de Iturbide in his Mexican empire. It became a republic in 1848.
