Cartago, Costa Rica
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Ruins of Santiago Apóstol Parish in Cartago, Costa RicaSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Ruins_in_Cartago,_Costa_Rica_by_Daniel_Vargas_-_27.jpg
Author: Daniel32708
Cartago is a city in central Costa Rica, about 25 km (16 mi) to the east of the capital San José. The city is 1,435 m (4,707 ft) above sea level, at the base of the Irazú Volcano. The city limits cover 152 sq km (59 sq mi). It has a population of 157,000 people (2011 estimate).
Due to its location in the highlands, Cartago enjoys a pleasant climate that is much cooler than the lowlands. Temperatures hover between a low of 11.1°C (52°F) in January to a high of 25.9°C (78.6°F) in September. Cartago gets the most rain in December, at 177 mm (6.97 in).
Cartago has been established since the 16th century. Founded in 1563, it received its coat of arms from King Philip II of Spain in 1565. It served as the capital of Costa Rica until 1823, when Republican leader Gregorio Jose Ramirez relocated the capital to San José.
Natural disasters have hit Cartago a number of times, with earthquakes in 1822, 1841 and 1910, and the eruption of Irazú Volcano in 1963.
River in Pejivalle, CartagoSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pejivalle,_Cartago,_Costa_Rica_4.jpg
Author: MongeNajera
Cartago is the site of the most important church in Costa Rica, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles, which becames a major pilgrimage site during the feast day of the Virgin of the Angels, which falls on 2 August every year.
Another site worth visiting are the ruins of the Santiago Apóstol Parish, just five blocks from the Basilica. The ruins here are not buildings that have fallen to disrepair, but rather buildings that were never actually completed.
Visiting Cartago
You can reach Cartago by taking a bus from San José.Places of Interest in Cartago
- Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles
Most important cathedral in Costa Rica. - Cachi Dam
Dam built in the 1970s, creating a man-made lake surrounding by scenic mountains. - Irazú Volcano
One of the most famous volcanoes in Costa Rica. - Lankaster Botanical Gardens
Located in Paraiso, 7 km to the east of Cartago. It has some of the best collections of orchids and epiphytes in Central America. - Orosi Valley
A picturesque valley with a small town, located 12 km (8 mi) to the east of Cartago/ - Ruins of Santiago Apóstol Parish
An unfinished church building that was destroyed by the earthquake of 1910. - Turrialba
The second biggest provincial town in the area after Cartago, noted for having excellent rafting activities.
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