Cartago, the city of the mists, mountains and ancient Metropolis

The Ancient Metropolis 

Known as the ancient capital, the city of Cartago is famous for its deep Catholic ties and for being the first successful settlement in Costa Rica. Cartago is a city located in the center and on the central volcanic axis of Costa Rica, with no access to the coast. Founded by Juan Vázquez de Coronado in 1563, it was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823, during the colony and the beginning of the Republic. It is considered the oldest city in the country. In 2011 it had about 50 000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the province of Cartago, one of the seven provinces of Costa Rica.

In the western sector of the city is the industrial zone, one of the largest in the country. An industrial complex along the 8 km of National Route 2 on the Llano del Tejar straight, which includes El Tejar, Coris, Guadalupe and La Lima, with prominent industries in the medical sector and high technologies.

The entire northern sector, comprised by the great slope of the Irazú Volcano has a rich history and agricultural tradition of vegetables, tubers and vegetables. Sector where the districts of Llano Grande, Tierra Blanca, Cot and villages of the canton of Oreamuno are located.