COMMUNICATIONS
The modern telephone system provides direct-dial service to most countries,
via satellite; it ranks among the best in Central and South America.
Telephone density is 11.1 per 100 with 80% of the population having easy
access to telephone services.
There are seven daily newspapers (one belonging to the State), four weekly
news magazines (one belonging to the State).
Of 119 radio stations, 102 are commercial and 17 belong to public service
institutions.
Twelve color TV broadcasting stations.
Various cable and subscription TV services provide programming from satellite
feeds.
The efficient postal system includes the central office in San José and
branches in all population areas. The current cost to mail a letter to North
America is 50 colones.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Democracy similar to the United States.
Three branches of government:
-Executive- president and two vice presidents, plus advisors.
-Legislative- 57 deputies.
-Judicial- 17 magistrates on the Supreme Court; plus the lower courts.
President and deputies are elected by popular vote to a four-year term. No
reelection privileges.
Magistrates are appointed by the Legislature for an eight-year term.
Elections Tribunal is an independent organization to oversee elections.
Political candidates generally belong to two major parties, the PLN and PUSC.
However, there are several lesser parties active in politics and elections.
CULTURE
There are 31 museums located throughout the country, preserving all aspects of
Costa Rican heritage and culture.
14 theaters, plus numerous art galleries. The country's first bastion of
culture, the 99-year-old National Theater (it celebrates 100 years in October,
1997), continues to host the finest performances from around the world.
Three symphony orchestras; choral groups
Sixty movie theaters provide entertainment in all corners of the country.
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