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Sea Turtle Poll
COSTA RICA'S GOVERNMENT
Costa Rica is a democratic republic. Under the 1949 constitution, all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law, the right to own property, the right of petition and assembly, freedom of speech and the right of habeas corpus. The constitution also divides the government into independent executive, legislative and judicial branches. The executive branch is composed of the president, two vice presidents and a cabinet. The legislature is the National Assembly, composed of 57 members.
Costa Rica has a very strong system of constitutional checks and balances. Executive responsibilities are vested in a president, who is the country's center of power. There also are two vice presidents and a 15-member cabinet. The president and 57 Legislative Assembly deputies are elected for 4-year terms. In April 2003, the Costa Rican Constitutional Court annulled a 1969 constitutional reform which had barred presidents from running for reelection. As a result, the law reverted back to the 1949 Constitution, which permits ex-presidents to run for reelection after they have been out of office for two presidential terms, or eight years. Deputies may run for reelection after sitting out one term, or four years. In October 2007, the country ratified the U.S.-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) by a slender margin in its first national referendum.
The electoral process is supervised by an independent Supreme Electoral Tribunal--a commission of three principal magistrates and six alternates selected by the Supreme Court of Justice. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Justice, composed of 22 magistrates selected for renewable 8-year terms by the Legislative Assembly, and subsidiary courts. A Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV), established in 1989, reviews the constitutionality of legislation and executive decrees and all habeas corpus warrants. The next national elections will take place in February 2010.
The offices of the Comptroller General of the Republic, the Solicitor General, and the Ombudsman exercise oversight of the government. The Comptroller General's office has a statutory responsibility to scrutinize all but the smallest public sector contracts and strictly enforces procedural requirements. Along with the Sala IV, these institutions are playing an increasingly prominent role in governing Costa Rica.
There are provincial boundaries for administrative purposes, but no elected provincial officials. Costa Rica held its first mayoral elections in December 2002, whereby mayors were elected to 4-year terms by popular vote through general elections. Prior to 2002, the office of mayor did not exist, and the president of each municipal council was responsible for the administration of his/her municipality. The most recent nationwide mayoral elections took place in December 2006. Autonomous state agencies enjoy considerable operational independence; they include the telecommunications and electrical power monopoly, the state petroleum refinery, the nationalized commercial banks, the state insurance monopoly, and the social security agency. Costa Rica has no military and maintains only domestic police and security forces. A professional Coast Guard was established in 2000.
Below are just a few of the top governement agencies and all in Spanish, some have English translations.
GOVERNMENT
Government of Costa Rica - Gobierno de Costa Rica
Legislative Assembly - Asamblea Legislativa
Judicial System - Poder Judicial
Supreme Court of Elections (TSE) - Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones
Comptroller General of the Republic(CGR) - Contraloría General de la República
Attorney General of the Republic - La Procuraduría General de la República
MINISTRIES
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto de Costa Rica - Ministry of External Relations and Worship
Ministry of External Commerce (COMEX) - Ministerio de Comercio Exterior
Ministry of Public Education (MEP) - Ministerio de Educación Pública
Ministry of Science and Technology (MICIT) - Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología
National Institute of Insurances (INS) - Instituto Nacional de Seguros
Ministry of Agriculture and Cattle (MAG) - Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería
Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) - Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Comercio
Ministry of Finance and Tax Collecting - Ministerio de Hacienda
Ministry of Health (MS) - Ministerio de Salud
Ministry of Environment and Energy - Ministerio del Ambiente y Energía
Ministry of National Planning and Economical Politics (MIDEPLAN) - Ministerio de Planificación Nacional y Política Económica
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) - Instituto Costarricense de Turismo
SUTEL - The Superintendency of Telecommunications
Costa Rica Social Security System (C.C.S.S.) - Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
National Commission of Prevention of Risks and Attention of Emergencies (C.N.E.) - Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias
Public Register of Properties - Registro Nacional
Costa Rican System of Legal Information - Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica
The Learning Institute (INA) - Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje
Institute of the Coffee (ICAFE) - Instituto del Café
Institute of Cooperatives (INFOCOOP) - Instituto Nacional de Fomento Cooperativo
National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICIT) - Consejo Nacional para Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas
National Council of Production (CNP) - Consejo Nacional de Producción
National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR) de Costa Rica
DIPLOMATIC
Embassy of Costa Rica in the USA - Embajada de Costa Rica en los E.E.U.U
Embassy of the United States in Costa Rica - Embajada de E.E.U.U. en Costa Rica
United Nations - Costa Rica
Most Common Asked US Embassy Questions
PR: 5
| Association of Residents of Costa Rica - http://www.arcr.net/ ARCR Administration S.A. (or ARCR) is a division of Casa Canada Group. This organization serves foreign residents in Costa Rica as well as people abroad who want to obtain residency in Costa Rica. We serve members both prior to their move to Costa Rica and throughout their years of residency here. |
PR: 6
| Attorney General of Costa Rica - http://www.pgr.go.cr/ The Attorney General of the Republic is the highest consultative, technical, legal, public administration, and the legal representative of the State in matters within their competence. - Read more |
PR: 5
| CNREE - Consejo Nacionla de Rehabilitacion y Educacion Especial - http://www.cnree.go.cr/ CNREE - Nacionla Council of Rehabilitation and Special Education. Information on handicap requirements for business. Help centers and those with other disabilities. - Read more |
PR: 6
| Commission for the Prevention of Risks and Attention to Emergencies Securit - http://www.cne.go.cr/ The National Commission for the Prevention of Risks and Attention to Emergencies (Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atencion de Emergencias) provides warnings and assistance to those experiencing a natural disaster in Costa Rica - Read more |
PR: 6
| Costa Rica Department of Health - El Ministerio de Salud - http://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/ El Ministerio de Salud (Department of Health) busca colocar de mejor manera la información relacionada a la Salud del país, para que sea accesible y más fácil de encontrar por las personas, empresas y demás involucrados en la salud del país. - Read more |
PR: 6
| Costa Rica Minister of Energy and Mining - http://www.minae.go.cr/ Ministerio de Ambiente y Energia de Costa Rica - Minister of Mining and Energy. Maps, documents and government info on obtaining mining rights. Videos, Departments and offices. - Read more |
PR: 6
| Costa Rica Ministry of Public Works - http://www.mopt.go.cr/ Ministerio de Obras Públicas, Gobierno de Costa Rica - Ministry of Public Works. MOPT,CONAVI Transportation, airports, construction, services and info - Read more |
PR: 4
| Costa Rica National Insurance. Check your car tag tax. - http://www.ins-cr.com/index.html Si el vehículo consultado corresponde a una placa del Poder Ejecutivo, Diplomático o de Misión Internacional, la información no aparecerá, dado que estos son de caracter confidencial. Agradecemos su comprensión. Costa Rica INS national insurance monopoly to check your annual car tag tax fees - Read more |
PR: 6
| Costa Rica National Registry - http://www.registronacional.go.cr/ Costa Rica's National Registry records legal documentation from cities and villages, and head of jurisdiction, such as , but not limited to census, taxation, registered vehicles, land deeds, and mortgages. - Read more |
PR: 4
| Costa Rica Postal Service. Correos de Costa Rica - http://www.correos.go.cr/ Costa Rica Postal Services. Correos. Information on commercial, courier and electronic services. Rates for sending first class mail, history, general management and delivery. Correos de Costa Rica - Read more |
PR: 6
| Costa Rica Social Security System - CCSS - http://www.ccss.sa.cr Social Security System in Costa Rica. CCSS or Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Info, forms, address and telephone numbers. Avenida segunda, calles 5 y 7 San José, Costa Rica - Read more |
PR: 7
| Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly - http://www.asamblea.go.cr/default.aspx The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Costa Rica. The national congress building is located in the city capital, San José, specifically in El Carmen District in San José Canton. - Read more |
PR: 7
| Costa Rican Government Portal - http://www.gobiernofacil.go.cr/e-gob/weblinks/index.aspx Costa Rican Government-Gobierno Facil - Costa Rican Government Portal, find here all links public institutions of Costa Rica including, public government offices in cities and towns - Read more |
PR: 5
| Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers - http://www.aya.go.cr/ Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers governs and monitors the water supply in Costa Rica. Resources, Plans and permits, newsletters. Clean water and environmental - Read more |
PR: 5
| Costa Rican Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture - INCOPESCA - http://www.incopesca.go.cr/ Incopesca as rector Institute, must promote fisheries and aquaculture development. This regulates, protects and manages the marine and aquatic resources, promoting a sustainable contribution to the country's economic development - Read more |
Costa Rica Real Estate & Classifieds
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Rent to Buy, Buy, or Rent in Costa Tica
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