Alajuela
| Alajuela | ||
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Coordinates: 10 ° 1 ′ N , 84 ° 13 ′ W Alajuela on the map of Alajuela province
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| Basic data | ||
| Country | Costa Rica | |
| province | Alajuela | |
| City foundation | 1782 | |
| Residents | 50,753 (Ber. 2009) | |
| - in the metropolitan area | 1,611,616 | |
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| Detailed data | ||
| surface | 8.88 km 2 | |
| Population density | 5,700 inhabitants / km 2 | |
| height | 952 m | |
| Post Code | 20101 - 20114 | |
| Time zone | UTC −6 | |
| City Presidency | Laura María Chaves Quirós | |
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Alajuela is a city in the Central American state of Costa Rica with 47,494 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2005) and the capital of the province of Alajuela .
geography
The town lies at the foot of the 2,704 meter high volcano Poas .
history
Alajuela was founded in 1782. One reason was to spare the residents on the southern slopes of the Poas volcano near the city the long way to the church in Heredia . In the La Lajuela settlement that already existed at that time, the inhabitants built their own church.
In 1823 Alajuela fought together with San José on the Republican side against Heredia and Cartago , who divided the camp of the monarchists, for the independence of Costa Rica. The monarchists were in favor of joining Mexico . But the Republican Armed Forces won the battle of April 5, 1823 in Ochomogo. It was one of the few acts of war on Costa Rican territory. After the end of this brief civil war, the Central American Confederation was founded on July 1, 1823 ( Provincias Unidas de Centro América ).
Alajuela has had a German twin town Lahr / Black Forest since May 2006. This is the first city partnership between cities in Germany and Costa Rica.
Culture and sights
Buildings
Noteworthy is the bronze statue of the city-born national hero Juan Santamaría . At the Battle of Rivas in 1856, through his heroic death, he was responsible for the victory of the Costa Ricans over the Filibusters under William Walker . The Museo Juan Santamaría was set up for the national hero . It is located in the former prison building.
Interesting in the city center is the cathedral of the Alajuela diocese with the enormous dome over the altar area. In the Mercado Municipal , which is well worth seeing, there is the opportunity to try out the Costa Rican cuisine.
Parks
The so-called Mango Festival takes place every year in July in the city park with its numerous mango trees. Concerts are held every Sunday in the music pavilion there.
Near the city, the butterfly farm at La Guácima de Alajuela and Zoo Ave at La Garita de Alajuela are worth a visit. The zoo is a kind of large-scale tropical bird park, but it also shows a number of mammals and reptiles in the midst of lush vegetation.
Economy and Transport
Alajuela is the trading center for the sugar and coffee grown in the area .
Alajuela is home to Costa Rica's most important international airport, Aeropuerto Juan Santamaría . The distance to the capital San José is about 20 kilometers.
Town twinning
- Lahr / Black Forest , Germany
- Dothan , USA
sons and daughters of the town
- José María Alfaro Zamora (1799–1856), politician and President of Costa Rica (1842–1844 and 1846–1847)
- León Cortés Castro (1882–1946), politician and President of Costa Rica (1936–1940)
- Adolfo Díaz (1875–1964), Nicaraguan President (1911–1917 and 1926–1929)
- Juan José Lara Arias (1790–1856), politician and President of Costa Rica (March 4 to 17, 1835)
- Álvaro Mesén (* 1972), football player
- Francisco José Orlich Bolmarcich (1907–1969), politician and President of Costa Rica (1962–1966)
- Javier Gerardo Román Arias (* 1962), Roman Catholic Bishop of Limón
- Bernardo Soto Alfaro (1854–1931), politician and President of Costa Rica (1885–1889)
- Luis Rafael de la Trinidad Otilio Ulate Blanco (1891–1973), politician and President of Costa Rica (1949–1953)
Climate table
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Average monthly temperatures and rainfall for Alajuela
Source: WMO
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