Sidebar #53 - GAM

The namesake of this blog series, “Chepe Chronicles”, relates to “Chepe”, which is a nickname for San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. More formally, this part of the country is known as the Gran Area Metropolitana, or the Greater Metropolitan Area - “GAM” for short.  The “Central Valley” is also a common descriptor. The vast majority of the country’s population and political and financial power emanates from this part of the country. Of the 5 million or so Ticos living in Costa Rica, roughly 3 million, or 60 percent, call the GAM home. All of the major soccer teams in Costa Rica are based here. This part of the country is also Costa Rica’s transit hub and is marked by temperate weather, high levels of development, and a lots of presa (traffic). Our Peace Corps Pre-Service Training took place in Escazú, a suburb within the GAM; however, most volunteers aren’t traditionally placed in this region (my placement was an exception). The GAM isn’t particularly crowded with tourists (it’s far from the beaches); however, it is a vital part of Costa Rica’s culture and livelihood, and that makes it an important place to visit when coming to Costa Rica.



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