On one side is environmental services: wood, timber, plants, barks, roots, leaves, seeds, fruits, flowers, to name a few, which have fueled the culture, industry and scientific research. The services these ecosystems provide to humanity are manifold. This biological heritage, the product of millions of years of evolution, presents us a spectacle of a nature not processed and undomesticated. These areas include islands and beaches, rain forests and dry, active volcanoes, hot springs, caves, river canyons and waterfalls. The system of National Parks and Reserves covers an area of 1342 hectares or 25.6% of its land area. Another factor to consider is the broad expanse of both coasts: a Caribbean coast (255kms) and facing the Pacific Ocean (1103 kms). A mountain range also provides numerous microclimates and a territorial sea of 589.000km2. Situated between the North and South America continents, Costa Rica has served as a bridge of countless species of animals and plants for thousands of years. Its natural wealth, both in species and ecosystems, is partly explained by its geographical position. However it contains nearly 6 percent of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica accounts for only 0.03 percent of the earth's surface (has only 51.100km2).
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