Costa Rica Argumentative Essay Example
Costa Rica Argumentative Essay Example

Costa Rica Argumentative Essay Example

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  • Pages: 12 (3187 words)
  • Published: August 9, 2018
  • Type: Research Paper
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Costa Rica is undergoing a significant transformation as it strives to become an international commerce hub and a popular tourist destination. It boasts beautiful mountains, pristine beaches, and friendly locals known as Ticos. Unlike its neighboring countries like Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica has the advantage of a well-educated workforce, stable economy and politics, as well as excellent communication and transportation networks. These factors have attracted multinational companies, American retirees, and tourists from all over the world who are eager to invest in the country's abundant resources.

The potential for growth is immense in various regions of Costa Rica such as its capital city of San Jose along with coastal areas by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. These areas have the opportunity to rival Silicon Valley or Ft.Lauderdale in Central America. Consequently, major American and European companies operating in industries related to personal co

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mputers/software are expected to continue shifting their operations to Costa Rica for at least the next twenty-five years. This relocation trend also extends to retirees seeking a new home as well as tourists desiring unique experiences.

However, achieving sustainable development remains a formidable task that requires collaboration from geographers, environmentalists, politicians, economists - essentially everyone residing or working in Costa Rica - not just public servants or scholars.The objective of Costa Rica is to prevent the destruction of its environment, culture, society, and natural resources while promoting domestic and international businesses and economy. The main focus in the country should be on ecotourism, which promotes sustainable development. Unlike mass tourism, ecotourism is educational and helps protect the environment while benefiting local communities. It is crucial to integrate economic development into conservation efforts.

Costa Rica

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is located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South. The country has a total border territory of 239 kilometers and a land area of 51,000 square miles. Most of its territory consists of mountains, with only 440 square miles being water bodies. These mountains include Cerro Chirripo, which reaches an elevation of 12,529 feet and create diverse climate zones such as cloud forests, rainforests, and coastal plains.

The East and West coastal plains together span for 1,290 kilometers, with the Pacific coast being twice as long as the Caribbean coast.In terms of land use in Costa Rica: 6% is arable land; 5% is dedicated to permanent crops; 46% for permanent pastures; 31% for forests and woodland; and 12% for other purposes. This distribution highlights the emphasis on agriculture and preservation in the country which will be further discussed regarding ongoing debates about land use.The government manages a national park system that safeguards 14% of the nation's territory;This system acts as a major tourist attraction. In the northwestern part of Costa Rica, specifically in Guanacaste province, there are developed and undeveloped beaches along with cattle ranches. These Pacific beaches are often secluded and cannot be reached by road, which poses a challenge for surfers who want to enjoy the great surfing conditions they offer. The Gulf of Nicoya is perfect for activities like sea kayaking, sport fishing, and birdwatching because of its pristine bays and coastal areas. To explore these regions, tour companies organize expeditions using both boats and planes. However, it's important to consider the potential consequences of excessive development in an area already dominated by cattle ranches and

coffee fields.

Costa Rica has four main mountain ranges that run through its central corridor, resulting in limited flat land except along the coastline. Three of these ranges have active volcanic peaks. The Cordillera de Guanacaste stretches 65 miles southeast from Lake Nicaragua and is home to the active Arenal Volcano at an elevation of 6,000 feet. Although this volcano erupted in 1968 and 1985, causing minimal casualties due to the sparse population in the area.Lake Arenal was formed by a rift that separates the Cordillera de Guanacaste from other mountain ranges in the southeast; it is known for its favorable windsurfing conditions.Similarly,the Cordillera de Tilaran also features rivers flowing into the ocean but inaccessible by roadThe Cordillera Central in Costa Rica is a popular destination for adventurous travelers due to its rivers that offer thrilling experiences. This mountain range is home to four volcanoes, two of which are active and pose a constant threat to cities like San Jose and Alajuela. Periodic dustings of volcanic ash serve as reminders of the potential devastation they can cause. Despite this danger, these volcanoes have played a crucial role in creating fertile land for coffee production, an important export for Costa Rica.

Within the peaks and volcanic craters of the Cordillera Central lies the Central Valley, where approximately two-thirds of Costa Rica's population resides at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,900 feet. The highest peak in Costa Rica can be found in the Cordillera de Talmanca, which stretches southeast from Cartago to Panama and into the Caribbean Lowlands on its eastern side.

This region includes sparsely populated northeastern Lowlands and foothills with farms and small villages along the Caribbean coast.

These coastal areas lead into Limon, a developed region located in the south. Initially attracting settlers due to its accessibility by water and land routes, Limon has primarily been converted for banana plantations. However, concerns have been raised regarding deforestation and excessive use of agricultural chemicals in this area.Despite the challenging terrain and transportation network issues that could hinder industrial growth, regions such as San Jose, Desamparados, Puntarenas, and Limon in Costa Rica offer accessible transportation networks. If travelers are seeking remote areas with seclusion and adventure, air travel is an option when water or dirt roads cannot be reached.

Costa Rica's transportation infrastructure includes a total of 35,600 kilometers of roadways and highways (5,945 km paved), 950 kilometers of railroads, 115 airports with paved runways (28 without), 730 kilometers of navigable waterways, and six seaports. However, the country's constitution prohibits armed forces from allocating resources towards sectors like education and healthcare.

Nevertheless, Costa Rica boasts a well-educated and healthy population. The literacy rate is at 94% and only 8.3% have received formal education. This skilled workforce provides an opportunity for multinational firms to benefit through direct investment projects.

Life expectancy in Costa Rica averages at 76 years with an infant mortality rate of 13.3 per 1,000 live births. Healthcare services are easily accessible for both locals and foreigners alike, providing comfort for travelers and retirees who choose to settle in Costa Rica.

The country's economy heavily relies on tourism as well as agricultural exports such as bananas, coffee sugar ,and timber.In terms of economic statistics from 1996: the gross domestic product (GDP) was $19 billionAgriculture comprised 18% of Costa Rica's GDP, while industry accounted for 24% and services

made up the remaining 58%. However, there has been a decline in economic growth from 4.3% in 1994 to only 0.9% in 1996. Inflation reached approximately 22.5% in 1995 but has since decreased. Unemployment rates were low at around 4.2% in Costa Rica in 1995 but slightly increased to about 5.5% the following year, with underemployment still being a concern within the labor force.

One aspect that distinguishes Costa Rica from other Central American countries is its history of political and economic stability, making it an attractive option for foreign direct investment opportunities. The country's advantageous location, well-educated workforce, affordable living costs, low operating expenses, reliable infrastructure and telecommunications network, as well as its stable economy make it a popular choice among multinational companies.

In April 1998, Miguel Angel Rodriguez Echeverria was elected as President of Costa Rica, further facilitating partnerships between the government and foreign companies. Upon taking office, Rodriguez collaborated with influential business leaders to strategize for the country's economic future by implementing a modernization and privatization plan aimed at reducing inflation and increasing employment through investments.Additionally, the focus of Costa Rica's development efforts includes promoting tourism, improving infrastructure, and supporting small businesses. A recent significant economic development in the country was Intel's announcement to construct a $300 million Pentium Chip facility in a San Jose suburb. This project not only benefits the local economy by providing job opportunities for 2,000 skilled workers who will assemble and test Intel's microprocessors but also has the potential to attract up to forty international suppliers associated with Intel to establish themselves in the San Jose region. As a result, this move enhances job prospects and solidifies Costa Rica's

Central Valley as a hub for the technology industry.

The Central Valley of Costa Rica is currently experiencing an exciting transition as technology and communications companies set up their presence, earning it the nickname "Silicon Valley of the Latin world". Major multinational corporations like Acer and Microsoft have partnered with Costa Rica to provide customer support for their global clients. Currently, Acer operates a $20 million facility with 350 employees, while Motorola has secured a deal for a $15 million facility with 950 employees in the San Jose area. Other foreign investments that contribute to Costa Rica's high-tech reputation include DSC of Texas, EMC Technology, Seagate, and Hewlett Packard.The DSC project in the Metro Free Trade Zone is an interesting example of the government's commitment to economic development and investment. It allows for tariff exemption on all products except the final one. Costa Rica, with its stable business environment, attracts real estate speculators, venture capitalists, and retirees from the United States and Europe who are enticed by its beautiful climate and coastal scenery. Despite uncertainties in the real estate market caused by land laws and squatter issues, many people still seek opportunities in Costa Rica. Online platforms offer a variety of properties for sale or development including commercial centers, restaurants, residential communities, cottages, and undeveloped jungle plots.

The growth of the real estate and technology markets raises concerns about environmental impact as they coexist with banana plantations, coffee fields, and cleared grazing land. Given Costa Rica's small size limits both real estate development and agriculture potential which could lead to biodiversity destruction; however, ecotourism practices supported by a thriving tourism industry can help prevent this destruction.

Moreover, Costa

Rica's educated population benefits not only international companies but also environmental preservation efforts as citizens are aware of their homeland's ecological importance and have received education on preservation practices.Various organizations, funds, and cooperative efforts are in place to support responsible land utilization. Costa Rica has implemented conservation initiatives that have resulted in a significant number of protected forests and national parks, surpassing other countries. The government actively participates in joint projects like Project CARFIX with FUNDECOR, an NGO focused on environmental issues. This project is funded by the US Agency for International Development and aims to assist community organizations in managing biodiversity and forest resources sustainably around Braulio Carrillo National Park to mitigate negative impacts from development activities.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines has been addressing carbon dioxide pollution resulting from increased industrial activity by exploring cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative energy sources. However, the high costs associated with solar-powered electricity generation and other natural energy resources present challenges. To overcome these challenges, the government is collaborating with private firms such as New World Power Corp., Energia del Nuevo Mundo S.A., and Molinas de Viento de Arenal on the Tierras Morenas Wind Farm Project in Guanacaste province. This project aims to construct a 20-megawatt power plant using wind power technology, which will result in a reduction of 100,000 short tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year—a significant achievement for a small nation with a growing technology industry.Costa Rica possesses various privately funded conservation initiatives involving NGOs, private special interest associations, and government efforts. One such organization is the Bosque Lluvioso Foundation, which secures private funding to preserve and restore forests while expanding scientific

and educational programs. Another collaborative project, the Monteverde Biological Corridor Carbon Sequestration project, involves the US Joint Initiative on Joint Implementation, the Arenal and Monteverde Conservation Associations, and the San Luis Development Association. Their shared objectives include conserving the Arenal-Monteverde area in the long term, improving socioeconomic conditions for corridor residents, and safeguarding and regenerating forests. However, implementing alternative energy projects like Monteverde entails substantial costs ($5,916,225). Consequently, there has been a consideration for promoting low-impact ecotourism as a viable option to fund numerous conservation initiatives in Costa Rica. By generating revenue through increased tourism activity, ecotourism projects possess potential to support conservation efforts led by environmental groups along with government and private foundations. An outstanding example of a successful partnership can be seen between Fundacion Cuencas de Limon and Selva Bananito Lodge in Costa Rica.The Limon Watershed Foundation was founded in 1997 with the aim of addressing issues related to indiscriminate logging and degradation of water quality. The foundation combines ecotourism with conservation efforts, working towards fostering cooperation among local farmers, agricultural corporations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Their main challenge is convincing local farmers, loggers, and residents who rely on exploiting the land for survival to support ecotourism and sustainable development. Despite being less than two years old, Fundacion Cuencas de Limon has successfully managed conflicts of interests and witnessed increased participation from local Ticos. However, it still needs to demonstrate its success in achieving its goals. Fortunately, with financial backing from Selva Bananito Lodge, the foundation is able to preserve rainforest vegetation in the watersheds of Banano, Goban, Estrella, and Bananito Rivers while also educating local residents about conservation efforts. In addition

to this work, they actively monitor parks and reserves to prevent illegal activities. Selva Bananito Lodge was established in 1995 by an American family and is located within a secluded rainforest area that is situated 20 kilometers south and 15 kilometers inland of Puerto Limon. It borders La Amistad Biosphere Reserve and is near Cahuita National Park on its 850-hectare property.The Selva Bananito Lodge relies solely on tourism as a source of income. To minimize negative impacts from tourists, the lodge controls the number of visitors and uses solar heated water. In addition to these measures, it also offers educational rainforest study programs for students and plans to welcome scientific researchers in the future. The lodge has seven small cabins within a limited area.

Selva Bananito Lodge is dedicated to low impact agriculture and cattle management, as well as forest preservation. Its successful management can be attributed to their control of land, proximity to government protected forests, and partnership with Fundacion Cuencas de Limon watershed foundation.

The text discusses how challenges typically associated with ecotourism and land preservation projects are avoided due to the family's wealth and division of responsibilities between partners. A similar project in Rio Blanco, Ecuador faced similar challenges.

The importance of incorporating economic development into ecotourism for conservation purposes is highlighted in the text. Specifically focusing on the case of Rio Blanco, Ecuador, it explores the challenges encountered by a small Latin American village in establishing a successful ecotourism industry and potential solutions.

The text stresses the necessity of local control over ecotourism activities, national oversight and partial financial support, as well as careful planning and organization.The indigenous Quichua community in Rio Blanco initially

relied on hunting and cash crop cultivation. However, deforestation caused by high population density had negative impacts on the community. In response, they implemented an ecotourism project that aimed to generate income and protect the land instead of solely relying on agriculture.

Transitioning from a sole focus on agriculture to a combination of agriculture and tourism posed a major challenge for the community. The objective of this project was to improve living conditions in the Quichua community while also preventing further deforestation.

It is crucial for every member of the community to witness and enjoy the tangible benefits of ecotourism rather than having these profits taken away by other regions or countries. To achieve this goal, it is important to maintain local control over the project. Allowing foreign investors to dominate the tourism industry within a community would only benefit a few locals financially.

However, there are successful alternatives such as Costa Rica's Selva Bananito Lodge, which is owned by foreigners but shares its profits with local families and foundations.

Schaller's study on the Quichua community highlights another issue: lack of cooperation from both the government and locals' incapacity to gain national support.Governments can unintentionally hinder local tourism efforts, while individuals at the local level often lack the political influence and business connections needed to compete internationally against mass tourism. Interestingly, it is actually the national government that has the potential to address these issues by implementing a nationwide program that promotes ecotourism. The Government of Costa Rica serves as an exemplary model for other governments, such as Ecuador, in terms of environmental preservation. Similarly, the US Government has established a program where block grants are given to each

state for welfare programs. This concept could also be applied to provinces and local communities in order to receive block grants for developing ecotourism. These grants would be based on their performance and would encourage ecological preservation and the implementation of innovative tourism programs. By doing so, economic leakages can be reduced and there will be less need to clear additional land for cultivation. Moreover, government subsidies can help level the playing field between mass tourism and smaller scale ecotourism by addressing the lack of economies of scale. It should be noted that although ecotourism may not always be economically efficient, subsidies have the potential to provide long-term benefits if funds are available.
However, it is important to note that an increase in demand for ecotourism may result in larger projects and mass tourism, potentially leading to a loss of local control and decline in sustainability efforts. To address this issue, Asea Brown Boveri (ABB), a multinational electrical engineering firm, has proposed a management strategy outlined by its CEO in World Trade Magazine.

The strategy comprises three main objectives. Firstly, establishing common values that should be shared by all branches of the company. Secondly, creating connections through mentoring programs between similar divisions across different countries. And finally, ensuring that operations in each country adapt the global vision of the company to meet local market and operational needs.

These objectives can also be applied on a broader scale for managing ecotourism development by establishing an American-style trade association. If such an association represents local communities and individual owners involved in ecotourism like the Quichuas, adopting these objectives would greatly benefit small-scale ecotourism ventures throughout Latin America.

The resulting goals of

the trade association's management policy would include preserving cultural identities and maintaining local control for each project while promoting common values.2) The text highlights the importance of fostering connections between similar communities within a specific region or country to prevent conflicts, excessive competition, and promote idea sharing. It emphasizes that both trade associations and block grants play a crucial role in addressing challenges related to ecotourism and sustainable development. This encompasses various aspects such as economic, cultural, social, political, and environmental considerations.

In Latin America, several countries are witnessing growth in their industry and tourism sector by drawing inspiration from Costa Rica. Numerous initiatives like the Selva Bananito Lodge/Fundacion Cuencas de Limon and the Quichua ecotourism development project are currently being implemented throughout the region. These projects have great potential in preserving natural resources and diverse ecological systems while simultaneously promoting economic development and vital industries.

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