Aguas Zarcas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aguas Zarcas
District
Aguas Zarcas Location in Costa Rica
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Alajuela
Canton	San Carlos
Area
• Total	185.86 km2 (71.76 sq mi)
Elevation	489 m (1,604 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	20,239
• Density	108.894/km2 (282.034/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Postal code	21004

Aguas Zarcas is a district located in the San Carlos canton. It is part of the Alajuela province in Costa Rica.

What's in a Name?

The name "Aguas Zarcas" means "light blue waters." This name comes from the warm, light blue spring waters found in the area.

A Look Back in Time

Aguas Zarcas was settled by people from Germany, Italy, and Spain. This began around the 1800s. These early settlers helped clear paths through the mountains. This made it easier for others from places like Villa Quesada to move in and build new homes.

Where is Aguas Zarcas?

Aguas Zarcas covers an area of about 185.86 square kilometers. This makes it the eighth largest district in its canton. The land here varies a lot in height. It ranges from 100 meters to 2100 meters above sea level.

In the southern part of the district, you'll find the foothills of the Central Mountain Range. As you go north, the land slopes down towards the plains of San Carlos. Aguas Zarcas is located in the northern part of Costa Rica.

It shares borders with several other districts:

• To the north: Cutris
• To the west: La Palmera
• To the east: Pital and Venice
• To the south: The canton of Sarchí

The main town, also called Aguas Zarcas, offers great views of the hills. These hills are part of the Juan Castro Blanco National Park. The town is about 16.6 km northeast of Quesada. It's also about 88.4 km northwest of San José, which is the capital city of Costa Rica.

How Many People Live Here?

According to the 2011 census, Aguas Zarcas had a population of 20,239 people. This made it the second most populated district in its canton at that time.

Getting Around

Aguas Zarcas has several important roads that help people travel through the district. These include:

• National Route 4
• National Route 140
• National Route 250
• National Route 747
• National Route 749
• National Route 750
• National Route 751

Towns and Communities

The district of Aguas Zarcas is made up of 17 different communities. The main town is also called Aguas Zarcas. The other communities are:

• Altamira
• Caño Negro
• Cerro Cortés
• Concepción
• Coope-San Juan
• Esquipulas
• Garabito
• La Caporal
• La Gloria
• Los Chiles
• Los Lotes
• Los Angeles (Las Delicias)
• Montecristo
• Pitalito
• Santa Fe
• San Jose

Fun and Games

Aguas Zarcas is home to a Civic Center. These centers are special places for sports and recreation. They are supported by the government and private groups. Their goal is to help people come together through art and sports.

Local Traditions

Every year, the community hosts popular festivals. These events often feature fun mechanical rides and bullfights. Another special tradition is "El Tope," a horse parade. Riders dress up in their best clothes and show off their colorful horses.

What Drives the Economy?

The economy of Aguas Zarcas has a strong focus on farming.

• Agriculture: Many chicken farms are located throughout the district. Local farms also grow crops like cassava and pineapple. These products, along with citrus fruits from other areas, are processed and packed here for export.
• Services: In the town of Aguas Zarcas, you can find many services. These include health clinics, schools, banks, legal help, places to stay, post offices, and car repair shops. There are also places for fun, like sports courts, gyms, swimming pools, and nightlife spots.
• Trade: Local shops sell fast food, groceries, shoes, clothes, appliances, and other items. Fresh vegetables, chicken, and milk produced nearby are also sold in various places around the town.

Places to Visit

Aguas Zarcas shares hot mineral springs with the nearby district of La Palmera. These springs are a popular spot for visitors.

See also

In Spanish: Aguas Zarcas para niños