For the eco-tourist, the Central American nation of Costa Rica ranks high on the list of the most desirable places to visit. Costa Rica's popularity stems in large part from its extraordinarily diverse natural environment - from volcanoes to tropical rain forest and coral reefs - and rich wildlife. Much of the country's natural wealth is protected in an extensive system of national parks. Yet this small nation, whose prosperity was originally founded on the cultivation of coffee, also boasts a stable democratic political system that is the envy of much of Latin America. This pictorial tribute will take readers on an evocative journey through the land that Columbus christened 'Rich Coast'. Concise text and beautiful images capture the diversity of the country, from the gracious capital, San Jose, and the Central Valley - with its numerous active volcanoes - to the reef-fringed Caribbean coast and the lively provincial city of Limon.