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Guápiles, Pococí facts for kids

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Guápiles
District
Guápiles district location in Costa Rica
Guápiles district location in Costa Rica
Guápiles
Location in Costa Rica
Country  Costa Rica
Province Limón
Canton Pococí
Creation 19 September 1911
Area
 • Total 222.63 km2 (85.96 sq mi)
Elevation
262 m (860 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 36,469
 • Density 163.810/km2 (424.266/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−06:00
Postal code
70201

Guápiles is a district found in the Pococí area of the Limón province in Costa Rica. It's a busy and important place in the country.

What's in a Name?

The name Guápiles might come from two rivers that flow on both sides of the town. People used to say these rivers were "Guapes," which means "twins."

The name of the larger area, Pococí, comes from a native leader called a "cacique." This cacique lived here when the Spanish first arrived. Other important caciques in the region were Camaquiri and Cocorí. You can find their names in old history books and stories from Costa Rica.

A Look Back in Time

Guápiles was officially created on September 19, 1911. This happened through a special law called Ley 12.

Exploring Guápiles' Geography

Guápiles covers an area of about 222.63 square kilometers. It sits at an elevation of 262 meters above sea level.

The town is often called the main entrance to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. It's an important stop for travelers heading to the coast.

Guápiles' Climate

Guápiles has a tropical climate. This means it's generally warm all year round. It also gets a lot of rain, especially during certain months.

Climate data for Guapiles
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.5
(81.5)
27.8
(82.0)
28.5
(83.3)
29.1
(84.4)
29.7
(85.5)
29.3
(84.7)
28.6
(83.5)
28.9
(84.0)
29.4
(84.9)
29.1
(84.4)
28.3
(82.9)
27.8
(82.0)
28.7
(83.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 18.6
(65.5)
18.9
(66.0)
19.4
(66.9)
20.1
(68.2)
20.9
(69.6)
21.1
(70.0)
21.0
(69.8)
20.8
(69.4)
20.7
(69.3)
20.6
(69.1)
20.4
(68.7)
19.5
(67.1)
20.2
(68.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 276.1
(10.87)
238.5
(9.39)
215.4
(8.48)
241.5
(9.51)
430.4
(16.94)
443.7
(17.47)
509.8
(20.07)
474.6
(18.69)
375.8
(14.80)
448.6
(17.66)
470.9
(18.54)
451.9
(17.79)
4,577.2
(180.21)
Average precipitation days 20.6 17.4 17.4 17.6 22.3 23.4 25.4 25.4 22.9 23.2 22.5 21.9 260
Source: World Meteorological Organization (temperature 1971–1998, precipitation 1964–1998)

How Many People Live Here?

Historical population
Census Pop.
1927 1,236
1950 4,636 275.1%
1963 7,616 64.3%
1973 7,297 −4.2%
1984 11,216 53.7%
2000 27,368 144.0%
2011 36,469 33.3%

Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos
Centro Centroamericano de Población

According to the 2011 census, Guápiles had a population of 36,469 people. This number shows how the district has grown over the years.

Towns and Neighborhoods

The main city in the district is also called Guápiles. It's one of the biggest cities outside of Costa Rica's Central Valley.

Guápiles is about 64 kilometers northeast of San José, the capital city. You can reach it by taking Route 32. The city of Limón is 99 kilometers to the east.

Here are some of the smaller places that make up the district:

  • City: Guápiles
  • Neighborhoods (Barrios): Cecilia, Diamantes, Emilia, Floresta, Coopevigua (1,2,3), Garabito, Palmera, Los Sauces, La Urba, Toro Amarillo
  • Villages (Poblados): Blanco, Calle Ángeles, Calle Gobierno, Corinto, Flores, Marina, Prado (part), Rancho Redondo, San Rafael

What People Do for Work

Today, like in many parts of the Caribbean coast, the main jobs in Guápiles are in farming. People grow crops like bananas and pineapples. They also grow basic grains and raise livestock (farm animals).

The area is also known for its beautiful scenery. This makes it a great place for tourists to visit and enjoy nature.

Getting Around Guápiles

Roads and Routes

Several important roads connect Guápiles to other parts of Costa Rica. These roads help people and goods move in and out of the district.

The main road routes that pass through Guápiles are:

  • CR RNP 4.svg National Route 4
  • CR RNP 32.svg National Route 32
  • CR RNS 149.svg National Route 149
  • CR RNS 247.svg National Route 247
  • CR RNS 249.svg National Route 249

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Guápiles para niños

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