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On September 18, Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to reach Costa Rica. Spanish colonization begins in 1522
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Costa Rica gains its independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire.
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The Mexican Empire dissolves; Costa Rica joins El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua as the United Provinces of Central America.
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Costa Rica becomes a fully independent country.
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Juan Rafael Mora leads the fight against William Walker, an American who tries to take control of the region.
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The Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve is created. It is the first of many protected areas in the country.
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Arenal Volcano erupts.
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President Oscar Arias Sánchez wins the Nobel Peace Prize. He helped end civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
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Arias is elected president for the second time.
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Laura Chinchilla becomes Costa Rica’s first woman President.
