Central America - Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Contributor: Jodi Powell. Lesson ID: 10801

Do you associate baseball with Nicaragua? Or futbol with Costa Rica? Using videos and online articles and quizzes, learn about the beauty and people of a poor land, and about one where leisure reigns!

categories

Geography, World

subject
Geography
learning style
Auditory, Visual
personality style
Otter
Grade Level
Middle School (6-8)
Lesson Type
Dig Deeper

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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As we continue our journey south through Central America, the next two countries we encounter are Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Here's a peek into what you'll learn about these countries:

  • Tthere are no street names in Nicaragua. A person's address is given by whatever major landmarks he lives near.
  • In Costa Rica, it is not uncommon for coffee to be given to babies.

Keep reading to learn more!

Nicaragua

Nicaragua flag

The name Nicaragua is the combination of the two words Nicarao and agua.

Nicarao is the native tribe that occupied Nicaragua when the Spanish arrived, and agua is the Spanish word for water. Nicaragua is both the largest and the poorest country in Central America.

map of Nicaragua

  • Learn the facts from National Geographic Kids: Nicaragua.
  • Read the article, watch the video, and use the map at Easy Science for Kids: Nicaragua.
  • Interesting, fascinating, and surprising facts from theFACTfile: 55 Interesting Facts About Nicaragua.
  • Nicaragua is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere after Haiti.  Watch Nicaraguan Culture: Some interesting trivia [sic], from Lifey, for a personal perspective on life in Nicaragua.

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica flag

  • Do you know the way to San Jose?

Well if you can locate Costa Rica, then your answer should be "Yes", because San Jose is the name of Costa Rica's capital! In Spanish, Costa Rica means rich coast, a name first used by Christopher Columbus. The people, or Ticos (male) and Ticas (female), have one of the highest life expectancies of any people in the world!

map of Costa Rica

  • Begin by looking through the country profile of Costa Rica at the National Geographic Kids site: Costa Rica.
  • Watch Discover Costa Rica, from bestdestination, for an overview of all of the highlights in Costa Rica:
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After reading through these various sources, see if you can determine why so many people choose to visit this Central American country.

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