| Escazú | |
|---|---|
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.38 km2 (1.7 sq mi) |
| Population | 13,426 |
Escazú, officially San Miguel de Escazú, is the capital city of the canton of Escazú in the province of San José in Costa Rica. It is also the name of the district that includes the city, a subnational entity with 14,815 inhabitants.
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The city lies at an elevation of 1,101 meters above sea level on the northeast slopes of the Cerros de Escazú, 9 kilometers west of the national capital city of San José. The climate is moist tropical: it is not unknown for Escazú to experience rainfall on a day in which San José is dry and sunny. November and December frequently bring high winds.
Over the past couple of decades Escazú has become an expatriate enclave: several embassies have their residences located here, including the residence of the US Ambassador and the British Ambassador. The past few years have seen a significant influx of newly arrived foreigners from North America, South America and Europe. It is home to many bars and restaurants, especially those of the more chic (and expensive) variety. Rents and prices reflect this and Escazú is the most well-known upscale location in Costa Rica. Here, one can find English movie theaters and even a luxurious country club. There are also many fine restaurants and dining areas in this part of town, with an excellent nightlife. Banks, pharmacies, shops, grocery stores and even an 18-hole championship golf course can be found here, along with one of the biggest and most modern shopping malls in Central America, Multiplaza. Escazu also houses the only IMAX movie theater in the country, located in one of the country's newest malls known as "Avenida Escazu".
Many locations in the canton are prized for their scenic outlooks. This zone is one of the most developed parts in the metropolitan area, populated by families with high incomes and many apartment blocks and residential areas.
San Miguel District (Also known as simply Escazú District or Escazú Centro), is the first of three that make up the canton. It lies in the center of this municipality, limiting west to Santa Ana Canton, north to San Rafael district and south to San Antonio district.[1]
The district has an area of 4.38 km² and a population of 14,815 inhabitants by June 30, 2008 (3,382.42 inhabitants per km²).[2]
The football soccer club Brujas F.C. was born here.The name of the team "Brujas" is a reference to the nickname of the city "La ciudad de las brujas" (The City of the Witches). However, the team moved in 2009 to Desamparados.