Costa Rica        

Welcome
The Santo Domingo Center was the first MMI 500 center opened in Costa Rica. The Eye Clinic is located in a Lions Club facility and the clinic also supports the Lions Club Eye Bank. The second clinic in Costa Rica is the Laser Center, which serves as a private model of support for future centers in MMI countries.

Dr. Johann Fernández, a graduate of our Ophthalmology Residency Program in the Domincan Republic, serves as Director for these clinics. He is joined by Dr. Carlos Cabezas, also a graduate from the same program.

Future plans for Costa Rica include establishing our own Residency Program

Geography
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.
Area: 51,060 sq km (19,714 sq mi); slightly smaller than West Virginia.
Terrain: Mostly rugged highlands, about 900 to 1,800 m (about 3,000 to 6,000 ft) above sea level. Several mountain ranges extend nearly the entire length of the country. A central plateau, the Meseta Central, is located between the ranges and contains the bulk of the population. The coastal area has gorgeous beaches with either white sand or sand of volcanic origin. More than 25% of the territory is protected as National Parks. Cocos Island, 78 sq km (30 sq mi) in area, is known for the many stories about its supposed buried treasures.

History
When confronted by Spanish soldiers and missionaries, native Costa Ricans resisted violently. Those who did not succumb to the epidemics that swept over the isthmus either died fighting or fled to remote areas. Since the late 19th century the country has been generally peaceful. It is still a largely agricultural country, although industries such as tourism are rapidly expanding..        

Weather
The climate of Costa Rica ranges from tropical on the coastal plains to temperate in the interior highlands. Average annual temperatures range from 31.7°C (89°F) on the coast to 16.7°C (62°F) inland. A rainy season lasts from May to December. Annual precipitation in the country averages about 3,000 to 3,500 millimeters (120 to 140 inches).

Goverment
Costa Rica is a democratic republic governed under a constitution established in 1949. The capital city is San Jose.

Economy
Currency: Costa Rican colon (C)            
Industries: microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products.            
Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber.        

Project Sites
The Laser Center is located in Hospital Clínica Bíblica Torre Médica Omega. 8 piso San José Teléfono: (506) 258-30-31 Fax: (506) 248-14-21

Fundación Científica Santo Domingo, diagonal a la entrada de emergencias del Hospital Clínica Bíblica. San José. Teléfono: (506) 223-64-35 Fax: (506) 223-65-17