Costa Rica faced more than its share of struggles in 2005, but there were bright spots, too. Clockwise, from bottom left: The death of Pope John Paul II brought thousands to San José’s Metropolitan Cathedral in April; controversy over the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) inspired another year of marches – both against the pact, such as this one on March 1, and in favor; a March bank robbery in the peaceful mountain town of Monteverde (pictured, a tourist leaving the scene) and a July fire at Hospital Calderón Guardia (a patient reacts outside the building) stunned the nation. And it rained – oh, did it rain – causing floods on the Caribbean (left) and Pacific coasts, as well as a dengue fever outbreak made more serious by the abundance of breeding pools for mosquitos.
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But breakthroughs in environmental protections, some economic achievements despite tough odds, and new efforts to improve the lives of indigenous people such as the child pictured above, a member of the southern Caribbean’s Bribrà group, marked 2005 as well. And sometimes, as for Glenda Hines at the Limón Carnaval in October (below), despite it all – even the rain – life is good.
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