Cartago (canton)
Cartago | |
|---|---|
View of central Cartago in 2024 Old Durán Sanatorium Interior of the Basilica | |
| Motto(s): Fide et pace (Latin) "Faith and Peace" | |
Cartago canton | |
| Coordinates: 9°47′20″N 83°55′34″W / 9.7889852°N 83.9261136°W | |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Province | Cartago |
| Creation | 23 June 1563 (City) 7 December 1848 (Canton) |
| Head city | Oriental |
| Districts | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Body | Municipalidad de Cartago |
| • Mayor | Mario Redondo Poveda (PAY) |
| Area | |
• Total | 278.66 km2 (107.59 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,575 m (5,167 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 147,898 |
• Estimate (2022) | 165,417 |
| • Density | 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Cartaginés (m), Cartaginesa (f) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
| Canton code | 301 |
| Website | www |
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Cartago is a canton in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, with an estimated population of 165,417 as of 2022. It ranks as the fifth-most populous canton in the country and is the 42nd largest by area. Cartago is bordered by Desamparados and El Guarco to the south, Goicoechea and Vázquez de Coronado to the north, Oreamuno and Paraíso to the east, and Montes de Oca, La Unión, and Desamparados to the west.
The administrative and historical center of the canton is the City of Cartago, which comprises the Oriental and Occidental districts, rather than being a single district. Founded in 1563 by Spanish conqueror Juan Vásquez de Coronado, Cartago is the second-oldest surviving city in Costa Rica, after Espíritu Santo de Esparza, which was established in 1557. It served as the colonial capital of Costa Rica from 1563 until 1823, after the Ochomogo War. Following the amendments to the Constitution of 1847, the canton itself was officially established as a municipal administrative division on 7 December 1848 by law N° 36.