Río Cuarto (canton)
| Río Cuarto | |
|---|---|
| Cantón | |
  Río Cuarto | |
| Coordinates: 10°24′44″N 84°12′56″W / 10.41222°N 84.21556°WCoordinates: 10°24′44″N 84°12′56″W / 10.41222°N 84.21556°W | |
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Province | Alajuela |
| Canton | Río Cuarto |
| Area | |
| • Total | 254.20 km2 (98.15 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 100-1,800 m (−5,800 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 11,074 |
| • Density | 44/km2 (110/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (UTC−06:00) |
| ZIP codes | 216 |
| Climate | Af |
Río Cuarto is the 16th canton of the province of Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Recent history
It is the most recent canton of the country, when being promoted to such after agreement of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in second debate the Thursday 30 of March 2017,[1][2] and was segregated from the canton of Grecia, although it was not bordering on it.
Location
It is located to the north of the Poás Volcano.
It limits to the north and the west with the canton of San Carlos, to the east and also to the north with the canton of Sarapiquí to the south with the cantons of Alajuela and Alfaro Ruiz.
Its head, the city of Río Cuarto, is located 70.8 km north of San José, the nation's capital. (1 hour 52 minutes on Highway 126, the fastest route, taking into account the traffic)
Overview
Rio Cuarto is one of those places where it seems that the nature wasted all its charms. The vegetation overflows with green, multicolored flowers, fruits and trees. The fauna is composed of dozens of species, some with animals as striking as the caribbean monkeys, the lazy, and birds of all tones.
The type of vegetation is typical of the Humid Tropical Forest, characterized by the presence of trees up to 40 meters in height, ferns, epiphytic plants and mosses. The area also has abundant fruit plantations, ornamental and medicinal plants.
Demography
It has an estimated population of 11,074 inhabitants (2011).[3]
The canton is composed of the city of Río Cuarto, located at an altitude of 425 meters above sea level.
Includes the towns of:
- Ángeles Norte
- Bolaños
- Bosque Alegre
- Caño Negro
- Carmen
- Carrizal
- Colonia del Toro
- Crucero
- Flor
- Hule
- La Trinidad
- Laguna
- Lagos
- Merced
- Montelirio
- Naranjales
- Palmar
- Palmera
- Pata de Gallo
- Peoresnada
- Pinar
- Pueblo Nuevo
- San Fernando
- San Gerardo (Parte)
- San Jorge
- San José
- San Rafael
- San Vicente
- Santa Isabel
- Santa Rita
- Tabla
Physical aspects
Area
The canton has an area of 254.20 km² and is located between 10 ° 24'44 "north latitude and 84 ° 12'56" west longitude.
Dimensions
It has a maximum width of 38 km and is delimited by the rivers Toro and Caño Negro, and the massif of the [Congo Volcano].
Its territory has an elongated form that extends from northeast to southwest.
Altitude
The territory has an altitude of between 100 and 1800 meters above sea level.
It presents these great variations of altitude, since in the south zone of the canton are the foothills of the central volcanic mountain range (reaching its maximum point in the already mentioned Congo Volcano), whereas in north direction the land descends until its lowest point in the surroundings of the town of San Rafael.
Climate
Its climate is temperate humid, between 16 °C to 28 °C, depending on the locality.
Geology
It has materials of volcanic origin of the Quaternary period. Also predominant are Pleistocene rocks, as well as lahar is, recent and present volcanic buildings, and Holocene pyroclastics. The presence of this large amount of volcanic material explains the fertility of the soils of the canton.
Geomorphology
The main volcanic massif is the Poas Volcano in the south, to which belong other subunits such as the Congo volcano, the Caldera de Hule (which forms the Congo and Hule lagoons) and the maar ( Crater of explosion) of Río Cuarto (that forms Río Cuarto Lagoon).
Hydrography
The water resource in the area is also abundant; Proof of this is the presence of high waterfalls, lagoons, rivers and frequent falls. And the weather is cool and pleasant, although a bit rainy at this time of year.
The main rivers are the Toro, Río Cuarto, Sardinal, María Aguilar and Caño Negro rivers. The Caño Negro, Pozo Azul and Quebrada Gata rivers are tributaries of the Toro River. All these rivers discharge their waters in the Sarapiquí river, that takes them to the river San Juan.
Among the lagoons of the canton are Río Cuarto and Congo. Both are lagoons of volcanic origin, occupying ancient outbreaks of eruption.
Economy
Produce, milk, beef, pork, chicken meat, pineapple, cassava, electric power, ornamental plants, among others.
References
- ↑ "Río Cuarto will be the 82nd canton of Costa Rica". El País.
- ↑ "It's official! Río Cuarto is the canton 82 of Costa Rica". La Prensa Libre.
- ↑ "National Census of Population and Housing 2011" (pdf). INEC.