Alvarado (canton)

Alvarado is a canton in the Cartago province of Costa Rica.^[2][3] The head city is in the Pacayas district.

Alvarado
Canton
Alvarado Municipality building
Flag
Alvarado canton
Alvarado Alvarado canton location in Costa Rica
Coordinates: 9.9432302°N 83.8009515°W / 9.9432302; -83.8009515
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Cartago
Creation	9 July 1908[1]
Head city	Pacayas
Districts	Districts Pacayas Cervantes Capellades
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Municipalidad de Alvarado
Area
• Total	81.06 km2 (31.30 sq mi)
Elevation	1,610 m (5,280 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	14,312
• Density	180/km2 (460/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Canton code	306
Website	www.munialvarado.go.cr

History

Alvarado was created on 9 July 1908 by decree 28.^[1]

Geography

Alvarado has an area of 81.06 km²^[4] and a mean elevation of 1,610 metres.^[2]

The defunct Atlantic railway line delineates a portion of the southern boundary of the oval-shaped canton, along with the Reventazón River. The Turrialba River on the east and the Birrís River on the west help establish the canton's northern limits, which reach into the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range).

Districts

The canton of Alvarado is subdivided into the following districts:

1. Pacayas
2. Cervantes
3. Capellades

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	±% p.a.
1927	3,568	—
1950	4,597	+1.11%
1963	6,465	+2.66%
1973	7,484	+1.47%
1984	8,338	+0.99%
2000	12,290	+2.45%
2011	14,312	+1.39%
2022	17,134	+1.65%
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos[5] Centro Centroamericano de Población[6]

For the 2011 census, Alvarado had a population of 14,312 inhabitants.^[7]

Transportation

Road transportation

The canton is covered by the following road routes:

• National Route 10
• National Route 219
• National Route 230
• National Route 402
• National Route 403
• National Route 404
• National Route 417