What continent is Costa Rica actually located on?

Question

I know people say, "Central America." But really which is it on? North America or South America? Any answers helps. Please provide links or proof.

Answer 1

Jordan B, Central America is a part of N. America. So Costa Rica is an North American nation.

Answer 2

Costa Rica straddles both the Caribbean and Cocos Plates.

Answer 3

it's in North America

Answer 4

It is on North America

On the link it is on the right of the page where it says it is in north America

Answer 5

It is in North America.  North America extends all the way through Panama and ends at Colombia, and includes all Central American nations.

Answer 6

"Continents are understood to be large, continuous, discrete masses of land, ideally separated by expanses of water."

-The Myth of Continents: A Critique of Metageography

By Martin W. Lewis, Kären Wigen

The definition of continents often depends completely on your point of view.  Many people consider the Americas one continent (in the same way people consider Eurasia or even Africa-Eurasia a continent) because it is one continuous landmass with no natural divisions.

That being said, the best answer is probably North America because South America clearly seems to be it's own large landmass.  Often the two are divided along the Panama Canal.  Although the canal is artificial, so, one could point out, is the practice of dividing up continents.