Filadelfia de Guanacaste facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Filadelfia
District
Central Park of Filadelfia
Filadelfia Location in Costa Rica
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Guanacaste
Canton	Carrillo
Area
• Total	125.14 km2 (48.32 sq mi)
Elevation	17 m (56 ft)
Population
• Total	7,953
• Density	63.553/km2 (164.601/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Postal code	50501

Filadelfia is a cool city in Costa Rica. It is the main city in the Carrillo area, located in the Guanacaste Province. People call it an "archaeological city." This is because many ancient burial sites have been found near the Tempisque River.

What's in a Name? Filadelfia's Story

Filadelfia used to have a different name: Siete Cueros. This name came from a special tree called "seven leather trees" that grew a lot in the area. Imagine a town named after its trees! The name Filadelfia was given in 1877. It honors a soldier named Filadelfo Soto.

A Look Back: Filadelfia's History

Long ago, in the early 1800s, the people of Sietecueros wanted to be part of a different area. They asked the government to join Guanacaste City. Their request was approved!

Later, in 1915, Sietecueros officially became a "town." It was given the new name Filadelfia. Then, in 1947, Filadelfia was given the title of "city." This happened under the leadership of President Teodoro Picado Michalski.

The main church in Filadelfia is dedicated to James, son of Zebedee. It became a parish in 1894.

Exploring Filadelfia's Geography

Filadelfia covers an area of about 125 square kilometers (48 square miles). It sits at an elevation of 17 meters (56 feet) above sea level.

Where is Filadelfia Located?

Filadelfia is surrounded by other areas. To the north, it borders Liberia. To the south, it borders Santa Cruz and Belén. Bagaces is to the east, and Palmira is to the west.

The city is right in the middle of the Tempisque Valley. This valley is surrounded by hills that are not very tall, usually under 200 meters (656 feet).

Water and Weather in Filadelfia

The Tempisque River flows through the district. This river makes it easy to reach the Gulf of Nicoya. The weather in Filadelfia is usually very hot.

• During the rainy season, the temperature is around 27 to 28 degrees Celsius (81-82°F).
• In summer, it gets even hotter, between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius (93-97°F).

Filadelfia city is located near the Tempisque River and the Rio Las Palmas. Sometimes, a weather event called El niño causes these rivers to flood. Serious floods happened in October in 1995, 1999, and 2007.

Filadelfia's Neighborhoods and Villages

Filadelfia has several neighborhoods and smaller villages.

• Neighborhoods (Barrios): Bambú, Cinco Esquinas, Hollywood, La Cruz, Santa Lucía
• Villages (Poblados): Ballena (part), Corralillo, Guinea, Isleta (part), Jocote, Juanilama, Moralito, Ojoche, San Francisco

Discovering Ancient History: Archeology

Filadelfia is famous for its archaeological finds. Many ancient pieces have been discovered here, some thousands of years old! This is why it's known as the "Archaeological City." The local government wants to make this title official. They hope to create projects to share and promote these amazing treasures. These finds date from 800 BC to 1500 AD.

Ancient Roads and Paths

Archaeologists have found different types of old roads and paths in this area. Some were paved with rocks, and others were made of soil.

One interesting path was found in a place called La Ceiba. This path was about 40–50 centimeters (16-20 inches) wide. This suggests that ancient people walked in single file, one after the other. It seems they used packed sand to build it, which helped it last a long time.

How Filadelfia Makes Money: Economy

Filadelfia is located in the middle part of the Tempisque River area. It is surrounded by huge fields where sugarcane is grown. Because of this, the local economy mainly focuses on sugarcane. There are two big companies in the district. They process and package sugarcane and melons.

The El Viejo Sugar Mill

Main entrance to the El Viejo sugar mill

The main sugar mill here is called Azucarera El Viejo, S.A. This company produces about 50,000 tons of sugar each year. It processes half a million tons of sugarcane. Over 500 farmers in the Tempisque area grow this cane.

Besides sugar, the mill also creates other products. It makes animal feed from sugarcane waste. It also produces electricity using biomass from the cane waste. The animal feed helps cattle and other animals get enough nutrients. Azucarera El Viejo also protects a large wildlife reserve. This reserve is over 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) and is home to many plants and animals.

The Melon Company

A cantaloupe melon

Melones de Costa Rica, S.A. started in Filadelfia in 1988. All the melons they grow are sent to other countries. They export to places like the United States and Europe. This company provides many jobs for local people.

Melon planting starts in November and finishes in February. The melons are harvested from January to early May. It takes about 60 days for the melons to grow.

Two main types of melons are grown:

• Cantaloupe: This variety produces about 1,200 boxes per hectare. This is considered a good amount.
• Honeydew: This variety produces about 2,000 boxes per hectare. However, the market price for honeydew is usually lower.

Exporting melons requires careful checks for quality. They also need the right temperature and proper transportation to reach other countries.

Fun Times: Filadelfia's Celebrations

Filadelfia has many fun events and traditions throughout the year.

Sports and Cultural Week

The city holds a "Cultural and Sports Week" in the first two weeks of July. This event has activities for both kids and adults. It also includes religious services.

Religious Celebrations

• Holy Week: Like the rest of Costa Rica, Filadelfia celebrates Holy Week. This includes special parades, church services, and prayers.
• Patron Saint Festival: In July, they celebrate the patron saint, Santiago Mayor. These activities include selling food, church services, and other religious events.
• "Los Portales" (The Mangers): This special tradition happens every December 24. It starts at 5 PM and ends at 8 PM. It's a bit like a mix of Las Posadas (from Mexico and Spain) and Trick-or-treating (from the United States). People visit houses in the town that have a manger scene. The goal is to visit the Baby Jesus and give a small donation. This donation is usually a small amount of Costa Rican money (about $0.03) and is voluntary. When you give a donation, the house owner gives you a gift back! This might be a drink (like chicha), snacks, candy, or small presents. Kids especially love this activity and go with their parents. There are no special ceremonies, just the act of visiting.

Population: Who Lives in Filadelfia?

According to the 2011 census, Filadelfia had a population of 7,953 people.

Getting Around: Transportation

Road Transportation

Filadelfia is connected by important roads. These include:

• National Route 21
• National Route 920

Photo Gallery

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  Main church of Filadelfia

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  Tempisque River in Filadelfia

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  Sugar Mill in Filadelfia

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  2007 Floods in the hamlet of Bambú

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  Crop of sugarcane for El Viejo Mill

See also

In Spanish: Filadelfia (Costa Rica) para niños