This article was published about a month ago in the New York Times about Costa Ricans (Ticos, as they call themselves) being the happiest people of the 148 nations to rate themselves. With beaches on both sides of the country and one of the most well preserved rain forests in the world, I would think so. Interestingly, the author attributes much of the countries contentment to the nation’s decision to dissolve the army and reinvest in education and wildlife preservation.