Not a president, but important all the same!

Cartago, founded in 1562 by Juan Vasquez de Coronado was the first Spanish settlement in Costa Rica, as well as the first capital city.

Called "Muy Noble y Muy Leal" by the Spanish Parliment in 1814, Cartago does not want for ruins, diversity, or history stored within the streets and walls of the city.

Though frequent earthquakes have destroyed buildings again and again, the intensity of the Spanish culture still remains. The ruins of the Santiago Apostle Church are a sight to see, as well as la Basilica de los Angeles, not to mention the bustling mercados that are full of campañeros selling their fresh produce right off the finca.

Leòn Cortès Castro 1936-1940

Leòn Cortès did not start his career in politics. He started as a teacher. Then he just decided to go into polictics. Some of the positions he held before he became president include Governor for the province of Alajuela, director of the National Archives, and Administrator of the Pacific Electric Railway.

Of course since he was a teacher at one point, he liked punctuality, order, and discipline of public employees. This gave him some respect from the people. He did many things during his presidency including transforming the International Bank of Costa Rica, building the Savannah International Airport, building the Main Customs Puntarenas, signed the banana contract Cortès-Chittenden (which led to the construction of the ports of Quepos and Golfito). He promoted the construction of roads and highways, bridges, waterworks, and schools. He also created the weather service. Guess he was a weather man.

He died unexpectedly in 1946.

Federico Tinoco Granados 1917-1919

Federico Tinoco was not a well liked president. Nobody liked him except for his friends and family. He was a dictator who seized control of Costa Rica in 1917. He ruled for two years until the assasination of his brother scared him and he fled the country. His portate is the only one that does not hang in the hall of presidents because he was deemed unworthy to be there.

Tinoco came into power through a military coup (the only successful one in the twentieth century). He was aristrocratic and oligarchic. Upon becoming president he set up his brother, Joaquìn Tinoco as the all-powerful minister of war. Together they filled the jails.

His downfall finally came around when teachers and high school students took to the streets to protest his presidency. Within a few days his brother was dead, killed by a stranger, at the corner from his house. Scared, Tinoco and he fled the country to go live in Paris with his family and friends. He left the country in ruins.

Laura Chinchilla Miranda 2010-present

Costa Rica´s first woman president, and the sixth woman to be president of a Central American country, Laura Chinchilla has a lot going for her already. She is also a member of the PLN, like her predecesor Oscar Arias, and has smoothly transisioned into continuing both the environmental and global policies initiated by Arias´s term.

She has expressed plans to continue working with the UK to combat climate change in 2010, furthur building the sustainable and environmental mindset within Costa Rica. It is expected that she will continue with the current free-trade policies established by the previous government.

Laura´s plans include an emphasis on public safety, reform for international trade, children and youth.

The Olympians: Cleto Gonzàlez Vìquez 1906-1910 & 1928-1932 and Ricardo Jimènez Oreamuno 1910-1914, 1924-1928 &1932-1936

"The Olympians" of Costa Rica were Don Cleto and Don Ricardo who alternated presidencies from 1906-1936.

This picture is of Don Cleto. He ruled first. His political career started at an early age as the mayor of San Jose. Some of his other political jobs before he became President include Secretary of State, Chairman Soto, and Assistant Secretary. What made Cleto so amazing was the tranquility and peace that surrounds his presidency.

He was an example of respect for the law and public freedoms, he paved the streets of San Jose. He finished the railway to the Pacific, expaned the pipeline in San Jose, built the old National Library, created many different Ministries, the Labour Code, National Electricity, Attorney General, plus many more.

This is a picture of the other Olympian, Don Ricardo. Everyone loved him as well. His first term was just after the earthquake in Cartago, so a bit of a challenge coming into office, but he did an excellent job because he ended up being a three time president!!! He rebuilt Cartago and his presidencies were surrounded in tranquillity and peace.

He was a huge promoter of building roads, public buildings, bridges, and pipelines. He created the Mortgage Bank and National Bank Insurance. He finished electification of the railroad to the Pacificand promoted construction of the pier of Puntaranas. In general, he did a lot of internal work that needed to be done in the country (like Don Cleto).

Together "the Olympians" created peace and tranquillity through the Depression era.

José Figueres Olsen 1994-1998

A peaceful transition went off between the Calederón´s son and Don Pepe´s son as José Figueres Olsen took office in 1994.

His past included many travels and studies within the states, including a degree in Engineering from the United States Military Accademy, also known as West Point.

During his term the young Figueres introduced English as a second language in public schools from first grade up. He opened up a second international airport, in Guanacaste, that increased ease and flow of tourism to the northern part of the country. Not only that, but he also increased the sustainable development mindset, pushing Costa Rica to become more technologically productive and to provide an environment of wellbeing for all. Little by little, his administration worked Costa Rica into the global economy.

Fun Fact! He was the first modern president to refrain from spending during the election cycle, and therefore for the first time the incoming government did not have to increase taxes in order to cover previous spending.

Rafael Calderón Fournier 1990-1994

Rafael Calderón Fournier is a representative of the PUSC, the Christian Unity Party, and the son of former Costa Rican president Rafael Calderón Guardia.

Through luck of the draw, they young Calderón came into office during a time filled with concern about a rapidly declining economy, growing mistrust of the government, and issues of overall social unrest.

During his campaign he recognized the need to drastically improve the social situation within Costa Rica, more specifically the growing level of poverty within the cities and towns in the central valley. Unfortunately when he took office, budget cuts kept him from being able to follow through on promises of subsidies and welfare.

The saving grace for the time being became tourism. Calderón promoted free trade, or so he said, and was able to stave of complete destruction of the Costa Rican working class.