1990: Deforestation

The Spanish colonial farmers began the trend of unsustainable land use when they did not follow the farming methods that the indigenous created. The indigenous changed which crops they grew on which land in order to preserve the nutrients in the soil and prevent deforestation. However, the Spanish grew the same crop year in and year out on the same tracts of land. To them, the forests were the enemy -- they covered the precious soil that they wanted to take advantage of. At one point, cattle was the new trend and the conversion from crops to pasture took a huge toll on the land. Also, once the topsoil is unprotected, it soon becomes eroded due to the rain, wind, and cattle.

In 1950, 75% of the country's surface was still covered with forest.

In 1990, 23% of Costa Rica remained covered with forest.

Now it's said that 51% of the country is back under forest cover.