Editing Economy of Costa Rica (section)

==Natural resources==
{{See also|Ecotourism in Costa Rica}}
Costa Rica's rainfall, and its location in the [[Central American isthmus]], which provides easy access to North and South American markets and direct ocean access to the European and Asian Continents. Costa Rica has two seasons, both of which have their own agricultural resources: the tropical wet and dry seasons. One-fourth of Costa Rica's land is dedicated to national forests, often adjoining beaches, which has made the country a popular destination for affluent retirees and [[Ecotourism|ecotourists]].

A full 10.27% of the country is protected as national parks while an additional 17% is set aside for reserves, wildlife refuges and protected zones. Costa Rica has over 50 wildlife refuges, 32 major national parks, more than 12 forest reserves and a few biological reserves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://costarica.org/national-parks/|title=Costa Rica National Parks – Volcanoes & Rainforest Reserves|website=costarica.org|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

Because of ocean access, 23.7% of Costa Rica's people [[fishing|fish]] and trade their catches to fish companies; this is viewed as "small scale artisanal coastal" fishing and is most common in the Gulf of Nicoya. Costa Rica also charges licensing fees for commercial fishing fleets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/FCP/en/CRI/profile.htm|title=FAO Fishery Country Profile – REPUBLIC OF COSTA RICA|website=fao.org|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=29 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729023318/http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/FCP/en/CRI/profile.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2017/03/15/tuna-fish-costa-rica|title=New study: Costa Rica is giving away its fishing wealth|website=ticotimes.net|date=16 March 2017|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> that are taking tuna, sardines, banga mary, mahi-mahi, red tilapia, shrimp, red snapper, other snappers, shark, marlin and sailfish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sea-ex.com/countryinfo/costarica.htm|title=Costa Rica Seafood Fishing Industry Companies – Info|website=sea-ex.com|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref> In mid 2017, the country was planning to ban large-scale commercial fishing off the southern Pacific Coast in an area nearly a million acres in size. The bill in congress was intended to "protect the extraordinary marine and coastal resources" from  "indiscriminate and unsustainable commercial fishing."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportfishingmag.com/fishing-travel-costa-rica-new-marine-reserve|title=Fishing Travel News — Costa Rica's New Marine Reserve, and More|website=sportfishingmag.com|date=July 2017 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

Sport fishing in Costa Rica is an important part of the tourism industry; species include marlin, sailfish, dorado, tarpon, snook, rooster fish, wahoo, tuna, mackerel, snapper and rainbow bass.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.anywherecostarica.com/maps/fishing|title=Fishing, Costa Rica Map|website=anywherecostarica.com|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.co.cr/sport-fishing-industry-requests-protection-of-sailfish-marlin-in-costa-rica/58551/|title=Sport Fishing Industry Requests Protection of Sailfish, Marlin in Costa Rica |date=28 March 2017|website=news.co.cr|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

In terms of the 2012 [[Environmental Performance Index]] ranking, Costa Rica is 5th in the world, and first among the Americas.<ref name=EPI2012>{{cite web|title=2010 EPI Rankings|url=http://epi.yale.edu/epi2012/rankings|access-date=2012-01-25|author=Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy / Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120505092852/http://epi.yale.edu/epi2012/rankings|archive-date=2012-05-05}}</ref> The World Economic Forum's 2017 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Costa Rica as third of 136 countries based on natural resources, the number of World Heritage natural sites, protected areas and species as well as eco tourism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.co.cr/costa-rica-third-country-natural-resources/60393/|title=Costa Rica Ranks Third in Countries with most Natural Resources – Costa Rica Star News|date=6 May 2017|website=news.co.cr|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>