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All these actions taken by Costa Rica over many years speak well of the country's tradition-that of giving a helpful hand to foreigners in need and offering political stability and respect for the human being - things which are uncommon in many countries. Perhaps that's another reason why people of other nationalities have been arriving in Costa Rica in greater numbers to retire, work, and invest. It's nice to be in a place where you can live in peace, feel accepted and be free of any religious or racial prejudices.
Americans and Europeans
These have played a very important part in the economic development of the country. The United Fruit Company, owned by Americans, pioneered banana cultivation in the Atlantic Lowland and developed it to such a degree that in 1911Costa Rica was the #1 world banana exporter. Even today banana growing in Costa Rica leads the world in productivity per acre. United Fruit created the ports of Golfito and Quepos on the south-western Pacific Coast and introduced banana and African oil palm cultivation in those areas. My own father came to Puerto Limón from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in 1910 to fill the position of buyer / storekeeper for the Costa Rica Railway Company, a subsidiary of United Fruit. He, of course, married a lovely Tica, my mother, Rosa Gallardo Volio.
Germans had a big hand in coffee growing. Through the years members of these three nationalities have intermarried with Ticas and established many successful businesses which are in operation today. Besides introducing know-how and disciplined work ethics, they have acted as important catalysts in the country's economic development. Drawn by growing opportunities, democracy, political stability, and a peaceful environment, more Americans,. Germans and Italians continue to arrive for pleasure, business and retirement.
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