Alajuela (canton)

Alajuela was created on 7 December 1848 by decree 167.^[2]

Alajuela has an area of 391.62 km² (151.21 sq mi)^[3] and a mean elevation of 942 m (3,091 ft).^[1]

Northward from the city of Alajuela, the canton continues along the border with the province of Heredia to its east, encompassing a strip of the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range) between Poas Volcano and Barva Volcano. On the Caribbean side of the mountains, the canton takes in a portion of the Sarapiquí area. The Río Poás (Poas River) forms the major portion of the canton's western border, finally giving way to the Río Poasito as the territory ascends into the Cordillera Central.^{[citation needed]}

Southwest of the city of Alajuela, the canton of Alajuela ends at the confluence of the Río Grande (Great River) and the Río Virilla (Virilla River).^{[citation needed]}

In the center of Alajuela, next to Parque de Alajuela, also known as "Parque de los Mangos", is Alajuela Cathedral, whose main feature is its red dome. This park is a popular place for locals to socialize, especially in the afternoons. One block west of the park is the Mercado Central de Alajuela, a bustling shopping centre.^{[citation needed]} Poás Volcano National Park is about 37 kilometres (23 mi) north of Alajuela city and is known for its five waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.^[9]

To the north of the Central Park is the Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría. This museum, situated in a building built in 1894–45, which was formerly a prison in the barracks of Alajuela, contains many historical maps, artifacts and portraits of the 1856-1857 campaign. In 1977 it became the headquarters of the Centro de Investigación para el Perfeccionamiento Técnico (CIPET), an institution of the Ministry of Public Education.^[10]

The canton of Alajuela is subdivided into the following districts:

1. Alajuela
2. San José
3. Carrizal
4. San Antonio
5. Guácima
6. San Isidro
7. Sabanilla
8. San Rafael
9. Río Segundo
10. Desamparados
11. Turrúcares
12. Tambor
13. Garita
14. Sarapiquí

Alajuela was estimated to have 322,143 inhabitants in 2022, an increase from its 254,886 at the time of the 2011 census.^[13][14]

Alajuela had a Human Development Index of 0.784 in 2022,^[15] the highest score in its province and 19th among all cantons in Costa Rica.

It is a major area for the production of coffee, strawberries and ornamental plants.^[16][17] The Doka Estate lies within the canton, in Sabanilla District, and is a major coffee producing estate, supplying directly to Starbucks.^[18]