Costa Rica’s strict building codes prevent major damage in powerful quake

The relatively little damage from a 7.6 earthquake was due in large part to strict building codes in Costa Rica, a country that has long enjoyed more stability, better governance, and stronger economic development than many of its Central American neighbors.

“We have a culture of concrete and steel,” said a Costa Rican engineer. “Years ago we abandoned building in mud and adobe, something that’s caused a lot of problems and that they’re continuing in other countries.”

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