Weekly review

Marine life

Even though Costa Rica has only 0.16 percent of the surface of the planet’s oceans, it is home to at least 6,778 species of marine life, or 3.5 percent of all of the species so far known in the world. The facts are set forth in a book by two University of Costa Rica scientists, Ingo Wehrtmann and Jorge Cortes. Of the total, 4,754 species were identified in the Pacific Ocean and 2,321 in the Caribbean. However, only 288 species live in both Costa Rican maritime areas. Generally speaking, scientists agree, this confirms this Central American nation as a biodiversity hotspot.

Technology at home

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Cellular phone, computer, and cable TV are the information technologies which have most permeated Costa Rican households in the last seven years. In the year 2000, only 11 percent enjoyed a mobile phone; last year had climbed to 60 percent; computers went from 12 percent to 32 percent; and cable TV increased from 12.5 percent to 28.5 percent. The data surfaced in the yearly survey on telecommunications by the National Statistics and Census Bureau. In addition, 99 percent enjoy electricity, 95 percent a color television, and 66 percent a home phone. However, Technology Research Club chairman Roberto Sasso asserted that even though the trend is in the right direction, it is too slow.

Woman president

First Vice-President and Minister of Justice Laura Chinchilla seems strong to become the presidential candidate of the ruling National Liberation Party for the 2010-2014 term. A vast array of hints and encouraging messages, including those of President Dr. Oscar Arias, point to the fact that Mrs. Chinchilla is most likely to be in the next presidential race. Dr. Arias did not openly state his support, but said he would like a woman to take over at the end of his term. Even War to Poverty Minister Fernando Zumbado, who was listed among those aspiring to the candidacy, said that he supports Mrs. Chinchilla. Even though she tops the list of popularity among the politicians most likely to run, according to surveys, the Vice-Minister said that a decision in that regard has not been made yet.

More tourists

This year’s first quarter, the number of tourists increased by 92,000 --or 17 percent—as compared to the first three months in 2007. The overall number of visitors corresponds to those flying into Juan Santamaria and Daniel Oduber international airports. According to Minister of Tourism Carlos Benavides, a majority of the visitors come from the United States, in spite of fears that recession in that nation would result in a decrease in the number of leisure travelers.

China, coffee, and tourism

The consumption of coffee is increasing in China, particularly by young people and the 40 million of tourists who visit that nation every year. Costa Rican growers are taking steps to take advantage of that fact, said Rodrigo Vargas, of Doka Estate plantation in Alajuela. He added that they are planning to take advantage of Chinese tourism also, particularly with tours to show them all of the steps of the production of coffee. This surfaced in a visit by Chinese diplomats to the plantation, which will be followed by that of high authorities from Beijing.

Most wanted

The days on the lam are over for Magdalena Pacheco, who topped the list of most wanted Costa Rican women. She was arrested in a posh suburb in Long Island, New York. She enjoyed a “new identity” and even three children from her marriage to a Costa Rican businessman. She was wanted for her involvement in the murder of businessman Andres Borrase in November 1997 and had fled in 1998, just when a court in Cartago was to rule on the case. Her alleged partner in the murder, Laureano Montero, was sentenced to 25 years at the time.

More Delta flights

The Delta-Northwest merger would mean an eventual increase in the number of flights to Costa Rica. Delta currently operates 33 a week to the United States, 21 from Juan Santamaria International Airport and 12 from Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. If the deal comes through, it would be possible to add non-stop flights to Juan Santamaria from Northwest’s hubs in Detroit, Memphis, and Minneapolis.

Successful filming

The Chosen One, starring Rob Schneider, includes Los Chorros Waterfall, in Grecia, and Arenal Ecology Tropical Park, in La Fortuna, among its locations. The filming was successfully completed at these locations, a spokesperson for Costa Rica Production Support informed. The rest of the film, which is to be premiered in November –including in Costa Rica–, was shot in the United States.