The richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations in Egypt. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C. Egypt has been ruled by many nations, becoming independent in 1952. CIA’s World Factbook is a public resource providing basic intelligence on 265 world entities, including country profiles and one-page factsheets. Learn more. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

Costa Rica proclaimed its independence from the United Provinces of Central America in 1838. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country’s democratic development. Costa Rica still maintains a large agricultural sector but has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. CIA’s World Factbook is a public resource providing basic information on 258 world entities, including country profiles and one-page factsheets. Learn more.