Heredia, Costa Rica

 Heredia is a province of Costa Rica located in its north-central area in which remains some of the colonial elements from its origins. To the north it borders Nicaragua, to the east is the province Limón, to the south the province San José, and to the west Alajuela. The capital is the city of Heredia. The province covers an area of 2,656.98 km², and has a population of 449,257. The "province of flowers", as named by Costa Ricans, is subdivided into ten cantons and forty seven districts.

Province of Heredia

Location: At the easthern side of the center of the northern zone of Costa Rica.
Coordinates: 10°25'N 84°0'W
Subdivisions: Cantons: 10, Districts: 47
Area: 2,656.98 km² 1 (1,041.31 sq mi)
Population: 449,257 (2010) 2
Capital City: Heredia.
     Elevation: 1,150 m ASL (3,773 feet)
     Average Temperature: 19.8 °C (67.6 °F)
     Annual Rainfall: 1,500 - 2,000 mm (59-79 inches)
Features & Attractions:
"El Fortín", "Liceo de Heredia", "República de Argentina" school, Heredia Church, Postal Office Building, Culture Museum.
Braulio Carrillo National Park, Barva Volcano, Sarapiquí river.
UNA, OVSICORI, INBIO (National Biodiversity Institute and Park), La Selva Biological Station.
Palacio de Los Deportes, Ojo de Agua, Monte de la Cruz.
Typical Restaurant La Casona de Mi Tierra (San Pablo).
Ecotourism: Gavilán Lodge (Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí), Rara Avis Rainforest Lodge (Sarapiquí).
   Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge (Highlands of Heredia).

The Province of Heredia and its Cantons
Notes & References for this table:   [1] IGN 2009.   [2] INEC (Jan 2009).  [3] Range of temperature throughout the province.  [4] Distance (in km) and direction, from the capital of province.  [5] Altitude (in m above sea level) and temperature at the capital city of the province.  [6] Capital of province.  [7] From San José.

Nº	Canton Name	Area [1] (km2)	Population (2009) [2]	Temp. [3]	Capital	km from CoP [4]	Altitude (m ASL), Temp. [5]	Rainfall (mm/year)	Foundation
1	Heredia [6]	282.60	119,670	23ºC	Heredia	10, N [7]	150 | 23ºC	2,250	Dec 7, 1848
2	Barva	53.80	32,272	15-24ºC	Barva	3, N	1,176	2,500	Dec 7, 1848
3	Santo Domingo	24.84	39,152		Santo Domingo	3, SE	1,170	2,000	Sep 28, 1869
4	Santa Bárbara	53.21	33,514		Santa Bárbara	7, NNW	1,140	3,000	Oct 3, 1855
5	San Rafael	48.39	42,651	20-22ºC	San Rafael	2, NE	1,264	2,500	May 28, 1885
6	San Isidro	26.96	18,127	16-25ºC	San Isidro	8, E	1,360 | 17.4ºC	2,500	Jul 13, 1905
7	Belén	12.15	22,530	21ºC	San Antonio	8, WSW	912	2,000	Jun 8, 1907
8	Flores	6.96	17,408		San Joaquín	4, SW	1,054	2,500	Aug 12, 1915
9	San Pablo	7.53	23,513		San Pablo	2, E	1,200	2,250	Jul 18, 1961
10	Sarapiquí	2,140.54	55,089		Puerto Viejo	51.8, NNE	37	4,500	Nov 18, 1970

"El Fortín", built in 1876 have 13.24 m of height. Iconic monument of the province of Heredia, Costa Rica. © 2010 (Derechos reservados) Costa Rica 21 S.A.

 Heredia city, as the capital of the province, is currently undergoing a rapid process of industrialization, and is located 10 kilometers north of the capital of Costa Rica, San José. The city is home to one of the second-largest university in the country, the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), that accepts many international students, and formerly was the "Escuela Normal de Heredia". The campus of the UNA is named after the great educator and patriot Omar Dengo.

Warm most of the year, the temperatures are tempered by the amount of cloud cover that characterizes the zone. The rains are spread throughout the year, but the rainiest period is from May to October.

From the beginnings of Costa Rica as a militarized country, as a perennial testimony of the lack of military expertise of Costa Rican people, the main monument of Heredia, the "Fortín" fort tower exhibits its peepholes opening wide to outside, giving advantage for the enemy fire. But as the rare editions of postage stamps whose value lies on its defects, the "Fortín" is now one of the treasured monuments to the peace of a country whose people abolished its army. By edict of 2 November 1974, the "Fortín" was declared National Monument.

From a popular culture and folklore point of view, Heredia (mainly the capital city and the region belonging to the Central Plateau or "Valle Central") is called "Ciudad de las Flores" (city of flowers) not as much due to the presence or cultivation of flowers (which can justify it), but by traditional allusiveness to original people established in the original colonial settlement, having "Flores" (flowers) as their last name. But also this denomination is used to make realized about the beauty of Heredian women, which are considered by many Costa Ricans and foreigners as the most beautiful in the country.