Costa Rica

1. Isolated rural province under Spanish colonial rule within the Captaincy General of Guatemala.
2. 1821: Declares independence from Spain, later establishing a sovereign republic in 1838.
3. 1856: Defeats the invasion of American filibuster William Walker, preserving national sovereignty.
4. 1948: Brief civil war ends and the army is abolished by decree; the 1949 constitution enshrines the ban and invests in social spending.
5. Late 20th Century: Maintains democratic stability and strong healthcare and education systems during widespread regional turmoil.
6. 21st Century: Becomes a global pioneer in ecotourism, forest reforestation, and green energy transition.

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