In my research, I learned that one of the most famous products of the Osa is not a tangible thing, but rather, experiences. Eco-tourism is a booming industry in Costa Rica, and the Osa is no exception. As a country boasting some of the most biodiverse land in not just Mesoamerica, but the world, the experiences to be gained from a visit to the Osa are highly sought after. Both the flora and fauna of the peninsula are remarkably fascinating and beautiful to observe, so it is no surprise that a major driver of the local economy is simply providing visitors the opportunity to bird watch in the forest, swim on the beaches, and generally learning about the ecosystems present in the region from locals. These experiences are marketed in a variety of ways, and can be different from each other. For example, one may spend a week in an eco-lodge in the rainforest on the Osa to experience the jungle, or one could go for a tour of a mangrove swamp to learn about the ecology of these biomes and their importance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEcosystem Services and Sustainable Ecotourism.\u201d Vascular Plants of the Osa Peninsula Costa Rica<\/em>, sweetgum.nybg.org\/science\/projects\/osa\/ecosystemservices\/. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gold Mining is another resource that is a surprise to some, but is still an important part of the Osa’s economy historically and to this day. It is found in several major rivers on the Osa, some of which have been incorporated into Corcovado National Park. Historically, it has been collected from the rivers and used as a form of currency by locals. However, from the 30’s-80’s there was a large amount of foreign professional miners who harvested large amounts of gold from the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guevara, Miguel. \u201cGold Mining Impacts on the Osa Peninsula Costa Rica.\u201d Grow Jungles<\/em>, 28 June 2021, growjungles.com\/gold-mining-impacts-on-the-osa-peninsula-costa-rica\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The cattle industry has been a major driver of the economy on the Osa Peninsula. Beginning in earnest around 1948, it was shown that the abiotic factors of the environment that allowed such biodiversity to flourish on the peninsula proved just as effective in helping livestock grow in the region. The animal products made from the cattle grown here are mainly distributed in the towns of Puerto Jimenez and Bahia Drake, both on the Osa. They are grown mainly by grazing, and used for both dairy and meat products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cordero-Castro, J. D., and R. WingChing-Jones. \u201cBovine Meat and Milk Production in the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica\u201d.\u00a0UNED Research Journal<\/em>, vol. 15, no. 2, July 2023, p. e4578, doi:10.22458\/urj.v15i2.4578.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rice is also a prime crop on the Osa. Farmers have very high yields in these areas due to the rich soil, similarly to the way that the richness of the natural resources of the region are optimal for growing livestock. While many grow rice for their own consumption, it is still very common for farmers to sell their crop at local markets or to partner with larger trade groups for export. After harvesting, seeds are washed and de-husked and sold as white rice usually, either at local markets or in the towns on the Osa, Puerto Jimenez and Bahia Drake. The main drag on this line of work is that it is heavily weather dependent, with widely ranging years of rain where there can be heavy amounts one year or a pretty dry year the next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSRI International Network and Resources Center.\u201d System of Rice Intensification – Costa Rica<\/em>, sri.ciifad.cornell.edu\/countries\/costarica\/index.html. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bananas are another staple of the Osa, ever since the ownership of Costa Rica by the United Fruit Company. They’re grown usually on small plantations, on trees in bunches. They are pretty simply processed and distributed, due to the fact that they grow in bunches that just need to be cut down and sold as such. Often, farms such as Finca Kobo opt against using heavy machinery in harvesting due to tradition and years of small farming. They are often sold locally and in the nearby towns but some farmers form partnerships with larger companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAgriculture at Finca Kobo.\u201d Finca Kobo<\/em>, www.fincakobo.com\/finca_agri.html. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLearn about the Banana Industry.\u201d Go Visit Costa Rica<\/em>, www.govisitcostarica.com\/travelInfo\/day-trips\/banana-industry.asp. Accessed 1 Sept. 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In my research, I learned that one of the most famous products of the Osa is not a tangible thing, but rather, experiences. Eco-tourism is a booming industry in Costa Rica, and the Osa is no exception. As a country boasting some of the most biodiverse land in not just Mesoamerica, but the world, the … <\/p>\n