[1] The Republic of Costa Rica recognizes eight native ethnicities; Bribris, Chorotegas, Malekus, Ngöbe, Huetars, Cabecars, Borucas and Terrabas.
[2] The Law also provides the territories of self-government and autonomy according to the traditional organization of the tribes, yet this is hardly applied.
[1] According to the Law all non-indigenous residents with properties in the areas acquired before the promulgation of the Law should be relocated and/or indemnified, and all posterior acquisition of lands is illegal and should be expropriated with no compensation,[1] but this hasn't been endorsed by Costa Rica's government.
[1] Tension between indigenous and white residents of the areas of Salitre and Cabagra has become violent to the point of mutual aggressions.
[3] Currently there are 24 officially recognized indigenous territories: