Atenas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Atenas
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District
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Catholic church in central Atenas
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 Atenas
Location in Costa Rica
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| Country |  Costa Rica |
| Province | Alajuela |
| Canton | Atenas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.76 km2 (3.77 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 698 m (2,290 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 7,546 |
| • Density | 773.2/km2 (2,002.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
| Postal code |
20501
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| Climate | Aw |
Atenas is a district in the Atenas canton. It is part of the Alajuela province in Costa Rica. The main town area is often called Atenas city.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Atenas means Athens. This is the capital city of Greece.
Where is Atenas?
Atenas covers an area of about 9.76 square kilometers. It sits at an elevation of 698 meters above sea level. This district is on the western edge of Costa Rica's Central Valley.
It is located about 25 kilometers southwest of Alajuela city. The Juan Santamaria International Airport is 20 kilometers away. Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, is 35 kilometers from Atenas.
The area has different heights, from 300 meters to 1,200 meters above sea level. This means that different parts of Atenas have slightly different weather.
The town is surrounded by mountains and fields where coffee grows. It is a good farming area. Every Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, there is a farmer's market. Here, you can find fresh local produce.
The town center has a church and a park with palm trees. There is also a health center, pharmacies, and doctors. You can find dentists, a tennis court, and fitness centers. There are also swimming pools, banks, shops, and restaurants.
Atenas is a popular place for people from North America and Europe to retire.
In 2011, a large landslide happened near the Atenas exit of the main highway. The exit has since been fixed and reopened. This makes travel to San José and the Pacific beaches easier.
The Best Climate in the World?
Many people say Atenas has the 'best climate in the world'. This is because the temperature and humidity stay steady all year. Temperatures usually range from 19 Celsius at night to 34 Celsius during the day. The average temperature for the year is about 26 Celsius.
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1864 | 569 | — | |
| 1883 | 853 | 49.9% | |
| 1892 | 811 | −4.9% | |
| 1927 | 1,648 | 103.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,204 | 33.7% | |
| 1963 | 2,962 | 34.4% | |
| 1973 | 3,592 | 21.3% | |
| 1984 | 4,451 | 23.9% | |
| 2000 | 7,182 | 61.4% | |
| 2011 | 7,546 | 5.1% | |
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Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |
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According to the 2011 census, Atenas had 7,546 people living there.
Getting Around
Road Transportation
Several main roads pass through the Atenas district:
National Route 3
National Route 134
National Route 135
National Route 707
See also
In Spanish: Atenas (Costa Rica) para niños
