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COSTA RICA.

(Republica de Costa Rica.) Constitution and Government.

The Republic of Costa Rica, an independent State since the year 1821, and forming part from 1824 to 1829 of the Confederation of Central America, is governed under a Constitution promulgated on December 7, 1871, and modified very frequently since that date. Practically there was no consti- tution, but only dictatorships, between 1870 and 1882. The legislative power is vested in a Chamber of Representatives called the Constitutional Con- gress, and made up of 43 deputies, being one representative to every 8,000 inhabitants. By the Election Law of August 18, 1913, universal suffrage was adopted for all male citizens who are of age and able to support them- selves, except those deprived of civil rights, criminals, bankrupts and the insane. Voting for President, Deputies and Municipal Councillors is public, direct and free. According to the election law of October 28, 1918, the election of President and Vice-President of the Republic is made by an electoral college composed of those who at the time of the election are sen- ators and deputies, and by those who, at any time within a period of six months, may have been President of the Republic. The members of the Chamber are elected for the term of four years, one -half retiring every two years. The executive authority is in the hands of a President, elected for the term of four years.

President of the Republic. — Don Julio Acosta, elected on December 7, 1919 ; assumed office May 8, 1920, for a period of 4 years, under the Con- stitution of 1871.

The administration normally is carried on by six Secretaries of State, who are appointed by, and responsible to, the President. They are the Secretaries respectively of the Interior and Police ; of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Public Worship ; of Public Instruction ; of War and Marine ; of Finance and Commerce ; and a Secretary of Public Works under the control of Secretary of Finance and Commerce.

Area and Population.

The area of the Republic is estimated at 23,000 English square miles, divided into seven provinces, San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia, Cartago, Guana- caste, Punta Arenas, and Limon. The last Census was taken in 1892. According to the estimate for December 31, 1918, the population was 459,423, made up as follows : —

Provinoe

Population

Province

Population

San J one Alajuela Heredia Cartago

138,193 110,254 72.736 48,080

Guanacaste. Punta Arenas Limon.

48,217

23,237 23,706

469,481

lim?. are about 3,800 abori'.'ioM (Indian*).