Costa Rica

Though covering just 0.03% of Earth's surface, Costa Rica harbours an estimated 5% of the world's biodiversity. Its national park system protects over 25% of the country's territory — an extraordinary commitment for a small nation — and ecotourism has become a cornerstone of the economy. Cloud forests, active volcanoes, Caribbean beaches, Pacific surf breaks, and lowland rainforests all exist within a few hours' drive of the capital.

Costa Rica has been a regional model for democratic governance and environmental policy. In recent decades it has generated nearly all of its electricity from renewable sources — principally hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind power — and has set ambitious targets for carbon neutrality. The country is also a significant exporter of high-value agricultural products, including pineapples, bananas, and coffee, as well as medical devices, which have become the top export commodity thanks to foreign investment in the free trade zone sector.