Religion:  Predominantly Roman Catholic [official];  75% Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant . One source states that although the Catholic religion is mandated, that "Costa Ricans are comparatively tepid when it comes to religion...persons of all denominations freely practice their religion without government interference. Some of the other religions practiced are Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism.  There is a small Jewish community with a B'Nai Israel temple and synagogue, and a sprinkling of people hold to Middle Eastern and Asian religious beliefs, including Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims.

Population:   Population (2005 est.): 4,221,000  See map below.

Language: Spanish (official). Foreign Languages: English; 1% Chinese; 1% Indigenous.
 

Costa Rican Spanish is as dynamic a language as any other, and it's full of "Tiquismos" or unique sayings and argot. One of the common Tiquismos is the use of the diminutive- Costa Ricans are called "ticos" because they add this word as a suffix in order to create a diminutive. In other words, instead of saying "blanquito" (small, white), they might say "blanquitico" or "blanquititico", which means the same thing. Ticos also use tons of terms of endearment, which shouldn't be misinterpreted as mean nicknames. For instance, it's common for Ticos to call people "flaco" (thin one) or "gordo" (fat one) without intending any offense at all. People of other races are usually called by their race, as in "chino" (chinese) or "negro" (black one) and this is quite acceptable and inoffensive. Ticos speak more slowly and clearly than in other Latin American countries. Of interest: When one rings a bell, they might call out "Upe!" This is the Costa Rican saying for asking to be let in.