The decimal system for moneys was adopted in 1863, and the French metric system was adopted for weights and measures in 1884. WAYS OF COMMUNICATION. The exceptional conditions of Costa Rica appear still more interesting when the situation she occupies is considered in relation to the points destined by nature for the uniting of the two great oceans. On the north the Nicaragua Canal will mark ere long her northern boundaries; on the south the Panama route. A simple glance at the map will show the facilities her territory affords for other interoceanic roads. At present an important mixed road crosses the central and wellsettled part of the Republic from the port of Limón, on the Atlantic side, to the Pacific port of Puntarenas, uniting the principal centers of population. The most important part of this road being THE ATLANTIC RAILROAD, With branches to Carrillo, Boca de Matina, Valverde, Swamp, etc. The trunk line of the Atlantic Railroad ends at present in Alajuela, touching at Cartago, San José, Heredia, and many other smaller towns. From Alajuela to Esparza a wagon road about thirty miles long across the "Monte del Aguacate," connects that line with THE PACIFIC RAILROAD, This railroad from Esparza to Puntarenas will be connected with that from Limón to Alajuela, and to that end a concession was granted to an English company, and thus the interoceanic railway will be completed. THE NORTHERN RAILROAD. Another railway to connect the Atlantic line with a point on the River San Juan and Nicaragua Lake is to be constructed and will permitthe great improvement of an enormous amount of very fertile land, and will connect the country with the Costa Rica and Nicaragua Canal. CANALS. That which renders the situation of Costa Rica exceedingly favorable, and which will certainly one day permit her to consider herself as privileged among nations, says Paul Biolley, is that she "Costa Rica and Her Future," cited. occupies exactly the territory comprised between the two great interoceanic canals, which are most likely to be opened eventually, to the commerce of the world. Although the Republic does not touch directly on the Panama Canal, its commerce will naturally gain by the conclusion of this vast enterprise. A contract was entered into July, 1888, between the Government of Costa Rica and the Nicaragua Canal Company which sets forth the rights of the Republic to part of the waters and territory which the projected canal by the River San Juan and the Lake of Nicaragua would utilize, and makes clear the concessions which the Government would grant the company upon the execution of the work, this being declared of public benefit. WAGON ROADS. All the cities, towns or villages are connected by wagon roads. more or less well built and maintained. The communication with the Province of Guanacaste is also effected on the Gulf of Nicoya by little steamers, as well as that with the extreme south coast in both oceans, to Golfo, Dulce, on the Pacific, and Talamanca, on the Atlantic. MAILS. The domestic mail service is well organized. Correspondence for foreign countries is dispatched by the steamers touching at Limón and Puntarenas, as follows: Atlantic Side-To Europe, via Hamburg, twice a month, 12th and 29th. To Europe, by British Royal Mail, once a month, the 9th. To Europe, via Marsella, once a mouth, the 12th. To Europe and the United States, via New York, Fridays. To Europe, the United States and Mexico, via New Orleans, Mondays. Pacific Side-To West Indies and South America, via Puntarenas and Panamá, three times a month. To other States of Central America, three times a month. TELEGRAPH. Costa Rica was the first Central American State to have telegraph communication. It has been extended in every direction between all the cities, towns, and villages. Communication throughout Central America is charged at the same rate as within the country. The price for ten words is 20 cents, and for every five or less additional, 5 cents. The nearest office of the cable company CABLE COMPANY Is at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, not far from the frontier, and, of course, connected with the Costa Rican telegraphs. Concession was granted to one European company to connect Costa Rica with the cable on the Atlantic side by means of an office to be established at Limon, and besides, the Government opened negotiations for the establishment of a new office of the Central and South American Cable, at a point on the Pacific coast within Costa Rican territory. TELEPHONE SERVICE Was introduced in 1886, and is now operated not only within the limits of the cities, but between city and city, all over the country. REAL ESTATE. The property owners are so numerous and the Costa Ricans' habits of order so marked, it being an essentially agricultural country, that the necessity of a mortgage law was apparent for the purpose of maintaining and securing the rights of all. The registry of property and mortgages was opened in 1867. The values recorded since, to the 31st of March, 1892, are as follows: Real estate registered, 70,638 farms: value, $46,968, 170. Mortgages registered amounting to $9,675.303.* Sales of properties or value of the transfer of real estate, mortgages, and cancellation of mortgages made during the year 1892, are as follows: The Ley Hipotecaria of Costa Rica, which is considered perfect in its class, allows the mobilization, as may be said, of the real estate |