- Zarcero
Zarcero is the capital city of the canton of
Alfaro Ruiz in the province of Alajuela inCosta Rica . It is also the name of the distrito (district) that includes the city. The district of Zarcero covers an area of 12.01 km²,Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), 2001.] and has a population of 4,060. [Estimates of Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC), May 2003.]Geography
The city lies at an elevation of 1,736 meters above sea level in the Cordillera Central (Central Mountain Range) of Costa Rica, 50 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital city of
Alajuela and 27 kilometers southeast ofCiudad Quesada .Zarcero, known for its brisk mountain climate, lies in a dairy and agricultural area also noted for the local enterprises that practice organic farming. Distinctive jams, cheese and other dairy products are among the items produced.
History
Zarcero was granted the title of "ciudad" (city) by a law on July 24, 1918.
Places of Interest
Parque Francisco Alvarado: The park sits in front of the church at the town center. It is noted for its
topiary garden produced and maintained by Evangelisto Blanco since the 1960s. Shrubs in the park have been trimmed into the shapes of various animals, including some that are quite abstract and bizarre.Iglesia de San Rafael: Zarcero's pink and blue church was constructed in 1895. The interior features very nice paintings of the
stations of the cross . Materials for the construction of the church are not what they seem. Columns are painted to look like marble, and the exterior is metal siding, not brick as it appears.References
External links
* [http://www.zarcero.co.cr Zarcero.co.cr] Zarcero`s officcial web site
* [http://www.ranchoamalia.com Rancho Amalia]
* [http://www.cabinaslapradera.com Cabinas La Pradera]
* [http://www.1costaricalink.com/costarica/costarica-191.htm Travel information for Zarcero]
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