Costa Rica has four million inhabitants. Approximately half of them live in the area surrounding San José, in the Central Valley. Costa Ricans (Ticos) are primarily of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. Their physical features are reminiscent of those of the Spanish, but a significant number of them exhibit various Indigenous features. Less than one percent of the population is of purely Indigenous descent; most of them live on reserves located around the Talamanca mountain range.

The Caribbean region has a high percentage of people of African descent, especially along the coast. The grandparents of many of these people came from Jamaica to work on the construction of the railroad. Some Europeans have also settled on the Atlantic coast, attracted by the relaxed lifestyle. Foreigners represent about 1% of the total population. Finally, there is also a minority of Chinese descent scattered throughout the country.

Education

The Costa Rican Constitution establishes that primary education is free and compulsory. Around 70% of secondary education is provided in public schools, while the remaining 30% is provided in accredited private schools. Many national and international universities offer a wide variety of degrees in different fields; some even specialize in agriculture, international relations, or the environment. There are also some schools that offer a North American or European-style education from preschool through high school.