Quesada, Costa Rica
| Ciudad Quesada | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
  Ciudad Quesada | |
| Coordinates: 10°19′25″N 84°25′37″W / 10.32361°N 84.42694°WCoordinates: 10°19′25″N 84°25′37″W / 10.32361°N 84.42694°W | |
| Country |
 Costa Rica |
| Province | Alajuela |
| Canton | San Carlos |
| City | September 26, 1991 |
| Government | |
| • Syndic | Adolfo Enrique Vargas Aragonés (CUSC) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 145.3 km2 (56.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 656 m (2,152 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 43,399 |
| • Density | 300/km2 (770/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
| Climate | Af |
Ciudad Quesada (Spanish pronunciation: [keˈsaða]) is a capital of the district of Quesada in the canton of San Carlos in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. Although Quesada is the official name (formerly La Unión[1]), it is commonly called San Carlos (like the canton) so as to generalize the whole area. Nevertheless, Quesada is the most populated city of the canton of San Carlos.[2]
The city is the region's economic and political center.[1] This is especially true with regards to economic agriculture and dairy activity. Quesada and adjacent areas produces 65% of all the milk that the nation of Costa Rica utilizes.[1]
Geography
Ciudad Quesada lies at an elevation of 656 meters above sea level[3] at the foot of the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range) on the southern edge of the San Carlos Plain (Llanura de San Carlos), an expansive lowland that forms a major part of the Caribbean slope in northern Costa Rica. It is 79 km. north-west of the provincial capital city of Alajuela and 90.9 km. from the national capital city of San José.[4]
The district of Quesada has an area of 145,31 km², and has a population of 42,060 habitants.[2]
History
In the beginning it was called La Unión, then people changed its name to Villa Quesada. The small town of "Villa Quesada" was granted the title of "Ciudad" (City) by a law of July 8, 1953.
Economy
The city is a major commercial center for ranching and agricultural enterprises in the surrounding area. It is known for its leather goods, as well as for its dairy production. The city harbours some important manufacturing plants related to the agribusiness sector.
This city harbors facilities of Costa Rica's largest dairy cooperative in order to produce cheese and powder milk. It also has a R&D center operating in the same facilities Dos Pinos.
Tourism
There are several hot springs in the area, some of which have developed into resorts, attracting Costa Ricans and foreign tourists.
Nearby Places of Interest
Zoológico La Marina: A private nonprofit zoo operated by the Alfaro family on five hectares of their cattle ranch. There are more than 450 species of animals and birds on display, most of which were confiscated by the government from illegal private ownership. The facility also maintains a successful breeding program of tapirs, an increasingly endangered species. (11 kilometers northeast of Ciudad Quesada on the road to Aguas Zarcas)
Sports
The town's football club is A.D. San Carlos, who have spent over 25 years in the Costa Rican Primera División. They play their home games at the Estadio Carlos Ugalde Álvarez.