Costa Rica was shaken by a large earthquake today, Wednesday, March 11 at 11:24 a.m. CMT. Preliminary estimates set the magnitude between 5.7 and 6.3 with a depth of 28 kilometers. The epicenter was 12 kilometers south west of the south Pacific coastal town of Golfito and 94 kilometers west of David, Panama in the Golfo Dulce. The earthquake was felt all through the southern region of Costa Rica all the way to the Central Valley and capital city of San Jose. This is the second magnitude 6 earthquake to hit the country in just over two months. The first struck 22 miles outside of San Jose on Jan. 8 of this year and had a death toll of over 30 people.
Latin American Herald Tribune
SAN JOSE – Costa Rica’s minister of the environment, energy and telecommunications, Roberto Dobles, has resigned amid reports he illegally granted a mining concession in late 2006 to a company owned by his relatives.
Switzerland, Austria and Germany have the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry, according to the third annual Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, published by the World Economic Forum. Costa Rica ranked 42nd, the highest ranking of any Latin American country in the report.
By GreenMomentum Staff (Green Momentum)
The request for proposals (RFP) launched by Eólico Valle Central (EVCSA) for the installation of a 15.3 MW wind farm in Costa Rica attracted three bids. The companies were Sinohydro (from China), Consorcio Eólico Valle Central JBM and Consorcio Eduinter - TSK.
Alexandra H. Valverde | avalverde@nacion.com (La Nacion)
The Santa Ana-Belen corridor, also known as the Lindora “Platinum” Mile, is becoming saturated with shopping malls, office buildings and restaurants. Several projects are awaiting the issuance of construction permits, while others are expanding.
Alexandra Valverde H. | avalverde@nacion.com (La Nacion)
The two-lane road, which connects Santa Ana with Río Segundo de Alajuela, is to be expanded to six lanes (three in each direction) plus a turning lane in the middle to enable access to local businesses. According to William Matamoros, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Public Transportation in charge of awarding concessions for public works, this will boost traffic in the area by 60%, and simultaneously free up a road that is currently considered impassable during rush hours.