Costa Rica is known for having the oldest democracy in Latin America, since it has been established and uninterrupted since the 1950s. Most importantly, it is one of the few countries that does not have a permanent military force. Today, they are under a presidential constitutional republic, led by Laura Chinchilla, president since 2010. Costa Rica is in Central America, between Nicaragua (to the north) and Panama (to the southeast). Christopher Columbus first visited it during his fourth and final voyage to the New World. Its conquistador was Juan Vasquez Coronado, a pacifist who gained the trust of the region's natives. Costa Rica, or Rich Coast, owes its name to Gil Gonzales Davila after the gold rings that the natives wore on their noses at the time of colonization (Costa Rica - History and culture). For this colony, independence came almost instantly because it was not forced by any war. Spain had left this part of the colonies alone as it focused on minerals from Peru and Mexico. Since Peru and Mexico wanted independence at this time, Spain used most of its resources to fight against them, leaving them no capital to deal with Central America. As a result, it was easier for the Central American colonies to declare their independence because it was already a reality for them. Since that time, Costa Rica was known for its tolerant attitude as whites, Creoles, Spaniards, blacks and Indians coexisted without any problems. In 1823, upon its independence, Costa Rica joined the Federal Republic of Central America with Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. and Nicaragua (La Federacion Del Centro De America). The president of all welfare, the so-called federal government, was Francisco Morazán, a liberal. As president of the provinces...... middle of paper ......eguatemala.com/centroamericahis.html>."Biography of Oscar Arias Sánchez." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, and Web. December 12, 2013. .Rankin, Monica A. The History of Costa Rica. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2012. Print. Tirmenstein, Lisa. “Costa Rica in 1856: Defeating William Walker while Creating a National Identity.” Costa Rica in 1856: defeating William Walker while creating a national identity. Np, and Web. December 12, 2013. “United Provinces of Central America (Historical Federation, Central America). » Encyclopedia Britannica online. Encyclopedia Britannica, nd Web. December 10. 2013. .