How Big Is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica, located in Central America/Caribbean, is the 128th largest country in the world, covering approximately 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 square miles). That's about 81.94% the size of West Virginia. It is home to approximately 5.2 million people.
Costa Rica
vs
Costa Rica on the Map
Costa Rica's Geography
Of its total area, 51,060 km² is land and 40 km² (0.1%) is water. Costa Rica has approximately 1,290 km of coastline. Within North America, Costa Rica is the 10th largest of 36 countries, sitting between Panama and Dominican Republic. With 102 people per km², it is less densely populated than the North American average of 234 per km².
How Far Across Is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica stretches approximately 354 km (220 mi) from north to south — roughly the distance from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and 372 km (231 mi) from east to west — roughly the distance from Boston to Philadelphia. At highway speeds, it would take roughly 4 hours to drive across.
How Many Times Does Costa Rica Fit?
Similar in Size
How Big Is Costa Rica Compared to Well-Known Places?
| Place | Area | vs Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 2,706 km² (1,045 sq mi) | 19× smaller |
| Belgium | 30,528 km² (11,787 sq mi) | 40% smaller |
| Switzerland | 41,277 km² (15,937 sq mi) | 19% smaller |
| Netherlands | 41,543 km² (16,040 sq mi) | 19% smaller |
| Costa Rica | 51,100 km² (19,730 sq mi) | — |
| South Korea | 99,720 km² (38,502 sq mi) | 95% larger |
| New York | 122,283 km² (47,214 sq mi) | 2.4× larger |
| Florida | 139,670 km² (53,927 sq mi) | 2.7× larger |
| United Kingdom | 243,610 km² (94,058 sq mi) | 4.8× larger |
More Countries in North America
Explore Costa Rica
Costa Rica at a Glance
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Area | 51,100 km² (19,730 sq mi) |
| World Size Rank | #128 of 236 |
| Capital | San Jose |
| Population Density | 102 per km² |
| Population | 5.2 million people |
| Coastline | 1,290 km |
| Life Expectancy | 79.6 years |
| GDP per Capita | $25,800 USD |