Costa Rica is one of the biologically wealthiest nations in the world.  While the country has only about 0.25% of the world’s landmass, it contains almost 5% of the world’s biodiversity.  Costa Rica, which means “Rich Coast,” has the largest percentage of protected areas in the world.  From the forested mountains to the coral reefs off both coasts, this small country treasures an incomparable diversity of flora and fauna. Costa Rica boasts more than 9000 species of flowering plants and about 800 species of ferns, as well as many other species which are spread throughout the country.