Military in Costa Rica

By Kayla Allen One of the many reasons Costa Rica continues to grow in popularity is the fact that at the end of its last civil war Costa Rica abolished its own military. Central America, which is so rich and diverse with both culture and breathtaking landscapes, has been plagued with civil unrest and not always the picture of what most people would like to do on their summer vacations. While in recent years traveling in Central America has become far more safe, nothing inspires a sense of peace as much as a country who not only abolished their army but who also took those dedicated funds and funneled them into security, education and culture. What could be more inviting than that? Costa Rica is now enjoying the benefits of earning the nickname "the Switzerland of Central America". Some say that tourism is fast becoming the country's highest annual contributor to its GDP. Along with the abolition of the military came other happy contributors to Costa Rica's growing success. In 1948, the 44-day civil war was the bloodiest event in 20th-century Costa Rican history with more than 2,000 dead. At its end new articles of their constitution were rewritten to eliminate the fraudulent aspect of elections which plagued its government's past. The new constitution also gave its Black population and women the right to vote. Due to its new democracy and the United State's aid in its civil war, Costa Rica and the US became allies further boosting its economy. With a newly empowered people and government, and a growing economy Costa Rica has become the country it is today where families from all over the world can discover new cultures, learn a new language and truly enjoy everything Costa Rica has to offer.