Costa Rican history

By Kellenacat
  • Sep 18, 1502

    1502

    1502
    On September 18, Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to reach Costa Rica. Spanish colonization begins

  • 1821

    1821
    Costa Rica gains its independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire.

  • 1823

    1823
    The Mexican Empire dissolves; Costa Rica joins El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as the United Provinces of Central America.

  • 1838

    1838
    Costa Rica becomes a fully independent country. The first president was Juan Mora Fernandez

  • 1849- 1859

    1849- 1859
    Juan Rafael Mora leads the fight against William Walker, an American who tries to take control of the region.

  • 1949

    1949
    A new constitution is adopted after a bloody 44-day civil war.

  • 1963

    1963
    The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is created. It is the first of many protected areas in the country.

  • 1968

    1968
    Arenal Volcano erupts.

  • 1987

    1987
    President Oscar Arias Sánchez wins the Nobel Peace Prize. He helped end civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

  • 2010

    2010
    Laura Chinchilla becomes Costa Rica’s first woman President.