Costa Rica,
geologically one of the youngest land bridges between North and South Americas, has one of the richest flora and fauna in the world. High volcanic mountain ranges dividing the land into two parts are the main factor determining the biological diversity: the variety of altitudes, climate and humidity zones of the Cordilleras are the natural habitat of 12.000 species of plants and 237 species of mammals alone. The unparalleled abundance of flora and fauna attracts luxury tourists and backpackers alike - mainly from North America, but also from Europe (e.g. Spain and Germany). In 2006 the 1.6 million registered visitors set a new record of foreign currency income - 1.6 billion USD. With this result Costa Rica clearly takes the first place among the countries of Central America when it comes to tourism income. Panama comes second with the foreign currency income of 1.2 billion USD in 2006.

Saving the Rainforest
Tourism, the major source of foreign currency income in Costa Rica, is based on a number of national parks covering over 1/5 of the area of the whole country. Their existence is mainly the result of a political decision in the 1980s. It is then that the previously legal systematic slash-and-burn land clearance for the needs of agriculture and cattle breeding was stopped and further devastation of the rainforest was forbidden. In addition, reforestation subsidies were introduced. These steps were mainly dictated by the environmental awareness of the government. At the same time they helped to secure the basis of tourism and develop forest cultivation. However, after the state subsidies were cut down in 1996, the reforestation lost its momentum despite the growing demand for wood and wooden products on the international markets.

The Precious Teak Wood
The long-term wood production program inspired mainly foreign investors. Various species of noble woods are planted in Costa Rica and the most popular export wood is teak which originally comes from Burma. This noble wood not only grows fast - the first crops obtained by thinning can already be gathered after seven years and logging is possible after 15 - 20 years - but owing to its first rate properties it also fetches high prices - from 400 to 2000 Euro for 1 cubic meter. (For comparison 1 cubic meter of spruce wood which can be logged only after 60 years costs about 120 Euro.)

CONTACT

T: +43.2236.379.078
F: +43.2236.379.07821
E: headoffice@bodome-group.com
I: www.bodome-group.com



BóDòMé Head Office,
Industriestrasse D2
A-2345 BRUNN/GEBIRGE
AUSTRIA

Environment Protection Model in Costa Rica

Forestry in Central America

CONTACT

Bodome Farm Partners SA
Bodome Group & Teak Partners

COSTA RICA

Apdo 412-1200
San José, Costa Rica

Skype:matthaeus.lill.costarica
Skype:bodome.group

T ¬ +43 676 843 193 300
F ¬ +43 2236 37 90 78 20

E ¬ bp@bodome-group.com
I ¬ www.bodome-group.com