Costa Rica

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Earthquake destroyed Cartago - 700 killed

1910

Frederico Tinoco ousted President Alfredo Gonzalez

1917

US Marines invaded Costa Rica

1919

President Guradia introduced liberal reforms

1940 - 1944

recognition of workers' rights, minimum wages

US Navy purchased 2/3 of the island Vieques for $1.4 million

1940

Civil War over presidential election - 2,000 dead

March 12 1948 - April 24 1948

New Constitution in effect

1949

Women, people ofAfrica decent given the right to vote; armed forces abolished, replaced with civil guard; social security; and national banks introduced

Irazu Volcano eruped

1963 - 1964

destroyed over 400 homes, 40 killed, crops seriously damaged

Arenal volcano erupted, destroyed town of Tabacón

1968

killed 78

Economy sharply deteriorated

1978

Harsh austerity program introduced to pull Costa Rica out of economic decline

1982

Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras signed peace plan

1987

Earthquake in Limon region

1991

killed 27, injured 400, left 13,000 homeless

Costa Rica settled border dispute over navigation along San Juan River

2000

Serious flooding along Caribbean coast, 13000 forced from homes

2005

Public workers struck for two days in protest of free trade deal with US

2006

Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) barely passed

2007

Largest marijuana bust in nation's history