The highest regions of Costa Rica are found in the center of country and the lowlands, which are more extensive and flat, extend to Caribbean coast in the northeast. On the Pacific side, the marine shelf cuts sharply into the coast forming bays, capes, cliff faces and inlets. The Costa Rica mountain ranges form and independent group within the Central American massif. Three of these ranges run roughly from northwest to southeast with a fourth crossing them at the widest part of the country and forming a huge cross. In this Central Range lies the Central Valley (where we find the cities of San José, Alajuela and Heredia) and the Guarco Valley, in the province of Cartago.
Two volcanic ranges dominate the northwest of Costa Rica. First, the Sierra Volcanica Guanacaste with its volcanoes, Orosi, Miravalles, Tenorio and Arenal, which offers a breathtaking show with its night-time eruptions, plus Rincón de la Vieja, whose volcanic activity keeps the mud in the foothills bubbling permanently. In this area, we can also visit Lake Arenal. With a surface area of about 85 sq. km, it is an ideal spot for water sports such as windsurfing, water-skiing, motor boat racing and fishing.
Second, in the northwest, is the Sierra Volcanica Tilaran, formed by the hills of Abangares, Aguacate and Cedral. In the transverse chain of the Central Highlands, the volcanoes Poás, Barva, Irazú and Turrialba are the most accessible to the visitor. All of these volcanoes form an important part of our country's natural and geological heritage. Finally, to the south, are Costa Rica's highest mountains, in the non-volcanic Talamanca Range.
Of these, Chirripó is the most impressive, being the highest in the country at 3,821 Mts. Also, due to the type of landscape, composition of the soil and climatic conditions at the summit, its vegetation is similar to that found in bleak mountain ranges -still another facet of Costa Rica's incredible natural heritage.
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