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Christopher Columbus visits the area and names it Costa Rica which translates as Rich Coast
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Spain's Juan de Cavallon leads the first successful colonizers into Costa Rica's Central Valley. They establish a small settlement. Costa Rica did not develop into a country with a few people owning all the land as happened in Mexico and the rest of Central America. For a long time cocoa beans were used as payment.
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Coffee is introduced into Costa Rica from Cuba
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Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, & Nicaragua, gain independence
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Juan Rafael Mora Porras is president from 1849 to 1859.
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On 15th of September the exploratory expedition commanded by Rafael Oreamuno hoisted the flag of Costa Rica at Isla del Coco on orders of the government of president Jesús Jiménez. It was later used as a prison for political prisoners.
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US marines invade Costa Rica
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Costa Rica adopts Constitution
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Arenal has not erupted for 450 years. After a period of intensifying activity the volcano produces an explosive eruption of hot avalanches and ejected blocks that devastate the west side of the volcano and kill 78 people.
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Miguel Angel Rodriguez (PUSC) elected president.
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Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez is elected president again.
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A 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit Costa Rica´s region of Volcan Poás, with an epicenter near Cinchona. It was caused by Varablanca-Angel fault.