Celebrating Virgen de Los Angeles Day: Costa Rica’s Revered National Holiday
Costa Rica comes alive every August 2nd for Virgen de Los Angeles Day. This deeply rooted religious and cultural celebration honors the Virgin of Los Angeles, the patron saint of Costa Rica. The holiday, one of the most significant in the country, draws over a million people to the city of Cartago in a remarkable display of faith, tradition, and community spirit.
A Brief History of Costa Rica: A Journey to Independence and Modern Success
Beginning in the 15th century, Spanish missionaries began colonizing Central and Latin America, claiming the region as part of the Spanish empire. Central America established its independence from Spain in 1821, and Costa Rica’s history formally began in 1823 as a part of the United Provinces of Central America. Costa Rica later declared its independence on August 30, 1848, establishing itself as a formal nation.