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GENERAL INFORMATIONS: Peninsulas  |
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Peninsulas
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Costa Rica is destinguished by three large peninsulas, all in Pacific side.
Peninsula of Santa Elena - It`s in North-West part of Costa Rica, close to the border with Nicaragua. It`s surrounded by the bays of: Santa Elena (to the North) and Papagayo (to the South). Its souther-east coast is scattered with the islets of Murcielago archipelag. Its sharp, westernmost tip is called the Point of Santa Elena (it`s noted for one of the oldest rocks in Costa Rica). In 1856 that was the main place of battling against American filibuster William Walker. The majority of its surface is within Santa Rosa National Park.
Peninsula of Nicoya - It`s located in the western side of Costa Rica. It`s the biggest peninsula of the country. Its shape resembles the thigh of chicken. It`s a few millions years older than the surface of the rest of the country. In Precolumbian period there was developed the most advansed culture of Chorotegas Indians. To the North-West it`s limited by a large Bay of Nicoya. Its highest peak is Cerro Azul (1.018 m.a.s.l.). It`s covered by few reserves (Cabo Blanco, Ostional) and national parks (Barra Honda, Las Baulas). In the near future there is expected the strong earthquake (it`s one of the places in the world with best studies of subducion).
Peninsula of Osa - It`s located in the southern part of the country. Its shape resembles the giant forefoot of prehistoric reptile. To the North-East side it`s bordered with Bay of Dulce. To the West it borders with a tiny bay of Drake. The majority of its surface is covered by Corcovado National Park. It`s a place of gold-mining. According to a legend, in the past there was to be a base of famous pirate Francis Drake. In the southern part of that is located the marshy Corcovado lake. The highest peak is Cerro Chocuaco (647 m.a.s.l.).
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