Cartago

Some Facts about Cartago

Size: 3'125 km2
Population : 393,000
Coordinates: 09¼, 48',59" north and 83¼, 42', 09" west
Borders: North and East: Limón; West: San José
Capital: Cartago
Km from Puntarenas to San José: 21 km
Anexion: 1848
Weather: Cartago

Cantóns in Cartago

Cantón 1: Cartago
Cantón 2: Paraíso
Cantón 3: La Unión
Cantón 4: Jiménez
Cantón 5: Turrialba
Cantón 6: Alvarado
Cantón 7: Oreamuno
Cantón 8: El Guarco

Before the Spanish came to this province the indigenous tribe Huetares lived in the following towns: Cirriava, Querco, Coco or Aco, Istaro, Uxarraci, Abituri, Turichiqui, Turrialva la Grande, Turrialva la Chica, Tobosi, Oroci, Ebuxebux, Teotique, Parragus and Supragua or Xufragia. In 1563 Don Juan Vázquez de Coronado transferred the City of Guarzimuñoz to to the Guarco Valley using the name of Cartago.

Cartago is the city that was most affected by earthquakes, some of them caused by the volcano Irazú. In 1841 and 1910 the city was almost totally destroyed. For that reason you'll find hardly any buildings older than 70 years. En 1574 the first church was constructed. It was destroyed by earthquakes and reconstructed in the years 1656, 1718, 1756, 1822, 1841 and 1910 in the middle of reconstruction. Today this place is called 'Ruinas de la Parroquia'. Also destroyed in the same year was the Supreme Court of Central America, which was a gift of the American Andrew Carnegie. In 1948 Cartago was the prime target in the Civil War.

General Description

The numerous farmer villages that cover the land with a multicolor carpet from the different plantations produce coffe, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, macadamia nut, pejibaye, and ornamental plants. There are som National Parks and Protected Wildlife Refuges in Cartago: The Papantí National Park, the Irazú Volcano National Park, and the Guayabo National Monument, which is the largest and most important archeological site discovered in Costa Rica.

Interesting Sites

There are several interesting locations in the city like ruins of the old 'Parroquía' situated in the center of the city and surrounded by a beautifully manicured park. Then the Basilica, where the image is displayed which according to history appeared at the same place in 1635. The City Market with all its delicatessens on display. the 'Cuartel de Armas offers an excellent Photo opportunity just like the 'Lankaster' Gardens with all it Orchids. There are hot water springs to swim in and finally but not last the 'Instituto Tecnológico' the Technical College San Luis Gonzaga.

Climate

The cool climate during the whole year is very pleasing. The average temperature being 2024 Degree Celsius with no extremes during the year. In the higher elevation, for instance in Tierra Blanca, the temperatures are considerably lower. Cartago is at 1435m above sealevel, San Francisco: 1330m; Guadalupe: 1400m; Corralillo: 1664.

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