The year 2009 was filled with ups and downs worldwide from the Swine Flu epidemic to the lingering economic crisis, political change and a global dedication to Green practices. In Costa Rica, the top news stories of the year brought international attention, wide spread mourning as well as hope and progress to the country. Below is a list of the top ten headlines of 2009 in Costa Rica:

1. 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Cinchona
The year 2009 began on shaky ground in Costa Rica when a magnitude 6.1 earthquake devastated several mountain towns near Cinchona on Jan. 8, causing 33 deaths and innumerable damages to infrastructure in the Central Valley, including the capital city of San Jose. The country came together in a display of solidarity, organizing campaigns to collect food and emergency goods, volunteer at temporary housing shelters and construct housing projects to help the victims start over again.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/travel/san-jose-earthquak/1787

2. Chinese Donate & Build National Stadium
In a friendly gesture to cement diplomatic ties, China began work on a $83 million National Stadium project in January. After tearing down the former antiquated structure, an army of Chinese workers set to work, diligently constructing the stadium’s outer core on 8 hour shifts 24 hours a day to have it complete on Dec. 30th as promised, before the New Year. The colossal giant will be the most modern structure in all of Costa Rica, though it still has another year of details to work out including painting, wiring and the construction of a retractable roof. The stadium with capacity for 45,000 is expected to be completed by February 2011.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/costa-rica-news/stadiumcontruction/1822

3. H1N1 – Swine Flu Strikes
April saw the first Costa Rican fall victim to the global epidemic of Swine Flu, a fatality number that has risen to 47 over the past eight months. Even President Oscar Arias was not immune to the outbreak and was declared the first government leader in the world to test positive for the virus. The presence of the epidemic brought face masks to the capital city of San Jose and changed how people interacted with warnings from the Health Minister not to kiss or hug when greeting. The scare has since faded along with global concerns about the epidemic, though several cases are still being treated.

4. Female Candidate Leads Polls for Presidential Elections
“Change” is not a campaign slogan reserved just for President Barrack Obama; it has been on the minds of Costa Rican voters in preparation for the February 2010 Presidential Elections as well. This year, two female candidates ran in the presidential primary elections. Epsy Campbell, a past legislator and politician of African descent participated in her party’s (PAC’s) first primary election against Otton Solis, the founder of the party. Although she did not win, her presence and large crowd of supporters infused the party with life and hope for change. Still in the running, ex-Vice President Laura Chinchilla beat out San Jose’s Mayor Johnny Araya in the PLN’s primary elections and has consistently topped popularity polls. With the slogan “firm and honest”, and a sense for conservative fashion, the politician has succeeded in large part from making her gender the focal point of her critics and supporters alike.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/costa-rica-news/chinchilla-as-president/851

5. Celebrities Trapped in the Costa Rican Jungle
NBC’s release of their newest reality show in June 2009 pitted D-list celebrities against the dangers of the Costa Rican jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. Beyond endearing viewers to the creepy crawlers of the jungle, the show tested the leadership, endurance and squeamishness of celebrities such as Heidi and Spencer Pratt of The Hills, Janice Dickinson of the modeling fame, and Patti Blagojevich, wife to Senator Rod Blagojevich whose judge ruled him ineligible to participate due to a pending court sentence.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/costa-rican-wildlife/im-a-celebrity/1897

6. Costa Rica Tops Happy Planet Index
In an attempt to overhaul the status quo, the annual Happy Planet Index was released in July 2009, nominating Costa Rica as the happiest planet on Earth. The index seeks to prioritize less conventional statistics in determining the success and overall wellbeing of a country. Items like a nation’s environmental impact and consumption are considered alongside life expectancy and overall happiness of the population.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/costa-rica-news/happiest-nation/2001

7. World Surfing Games Hosted in Costa Rica
Costa Rica received the honor of being selected as the International Surfing Association’s choice destination for the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games this past August 2009. The international tournament, which was hosted in Playa Hermosa, Jaco on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, welcomed surf teams from 35 countries and attracted more than 70,000 spectators during the week-long event.
Read More: http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/sports/surf/new-era-of-surf/3547

8. World Cup Soccer Qualifying Series
Another global sporting event had the full attention of the Costa Rican public this year: CONCACAF’s World Cup Soccer Qualifying Series. While the national team was originally considered a shoe-in, having won its first five matches including a home win against the U.S. team, they defied all statistical odds by losing 3 games in a row and ending the season with a tie against the U.S. team, putting them in 4th place. The repercharge match against Uruguay showed the team again netting too little too late, with a 3-2 loss dashing their World Cup dreams. The under-20 national team put La Sele to shame and kept national pride high by coming in 3rd place in the under-20 World Cup.

9. Ex-President Sentenced to 5 Years
The historic year long Caja-Fischel court case came to a close in October 2009 when ex-Costa Rican President Rafael Ángel Calderón was sentenced to 5 years in prison on two counts of embezzlement against the state. The then-director of the Caja (national Social Security entity) and President of the Fischel Corporation also received jail sentences for their involvement in the scheme. The convicted officials received bribes to accept a national debt of $32 million in the form of a no-interest loan from Finland to pay for necessary medical equipment. However, the loan came with the condition that the equipment must be purchased from Finnish companies, which meant it must come from the Fischel Corporation. Much of the equipment purchased wasn’t even needed and was found collecting dust during the duration of the court case.

10. Honduran Coup Peace Talks Take Place in Costa Rica
Costa Rican President Oscar Arias received international attention in 2009 thanks to the role he played in monitoring peace talks between the ousted Honduran President Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti who was declared his successor after a military coup rocked the country in June. President Arias hosted the two political figures at his home in Rohrmoser, San Jose on two occasions in an effort to promote a peaceful solution to the situation in Honduras. The final result of these discussions and further diplomatic talks was the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord, which established a date for democratic elections and the procedures required to restore peace to the country.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on January 4th, 2010