Is banana a natural resource for Costa Rica?

Answer 1

depends on what you mean by natural resource

bananas are grown extensively in Costa Rica and the revenue generated by this crop is in the top 10 sources of income for the country

bananas are not native to Costa Rica (they are native to southeast Asia and first grown in the area of Papua New Guinea) but its weather makes for favorable cultivation

the banana growing industry is controversial to say the least as it brings a number of problems along with its benefit.

bananas (and the industrialized cultivated fruit) have played a major role in the history of Costa Rica and all Central American countries especially because of the major influence that the United Fruit Co. (later to become Dole and Chiquita) have had on local governments.

banana cultivation has severe environmental impact and has been accused of being a major polluter