We find on this small but magnificent territory 12.600 acres (0,3 % of the surface of the earth), for about 4 million inhabitants, 55% of the world bio variety. Costa Rica is all over the world recognized. We notably count here a larger variety of butterflies than the entire African continent, and more different types of birds than in the USA. We list in the various ecosystems of the country 1300 sorts of plants,1600 types of fish, around 6500 types of butterflies, 220 types of reptiles and 160 amphibians and another 870 sorts of birds.

It is possible to observe in Costa Rica a natural environment varied in pure jungle forests , the mangrove, the lagoons, the forest of oaks, coral reefs and palm plantations.
However, the other "must see" natural attractions are outstanding volcanoes, their thermal waters and their caves and rare pre-Columbian sites joined by a group of national parks (22), national refuge of wild life (10), biologic reserves (12), forested reserves (8), and protected zones (26), which cover a little more than 25 % of the territory. The country took measures to protect these numerous natural resources.