Los Chiles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Los Chiles
District
Los Chiles Location in Costa Rica
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Alajuela
Canton	Los Chiles
Area
• Total	504.21 km2 (194.68 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	13,262
• Density	26.3025/km2 (68.123/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Postal code	21401

Los Chiles is a district located in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. It's part of the Los Chiles canton.

History of Los Chiles

Los Chiles started as a small settlement. Fishermen and other workers lived here. They worked near the Río San Juan river in Nicaragua.

On May 4, 1970, Los Chiles officially became a city.

In the 1980s, Los Chiles was important during a conflict in Nicaragua. It was a route for supplies for a group called the Contras. They were fighting against the government at that time, known as the Sandinista government. During this period, people from the United States military were sometimes seen in the town.

Geography and Location

Los Chiles covers an area of about 504 square kilometers. It is located 43 meters above sea level.

This district is on the San Carlos Plain in northern Costa Rica. It is 14 kilometers southeast of San Carlos in Nicaragua. Los Chiles is also 97 kilometers northwest of Ciudad Quesada. It is 175 kilometers from the provincial capital city of Alajuela. The national capital city of San Jose is 198 kilometers away.

Population and Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Los Chiles had a population of 13,262 people.

Transportation in Los Chiles

Road Transportation

The district has several important road routes:

• National Route 35
• National Route 138
• National Route 760

Airports

Los Chiles has its own airport. It is called Los Chiles Airport. It has a grass runway on the east side of town.

Economy and Local Life

Los Chiles is a "border town." It is only four kilometers from Nicaragua. Many people living in the city were born in Nicaragua.

The Río Frío is on the western edge of town. This river is a main way to reach small villages and farms nearby.

The town is also a center for farming and sportfishing. There is a gas station here, which is the only one for 20 kilometers around. A civil guard checkpoint is on Highway 35 south of town. You can also find a bank, some basic restaurants, and places to stay called cabinas.

Tourism and Attractions

• Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: This is a watery area with marshes and a seasonal lake. It is full of amazing wildlife. You can hire boats in Los Chiles to travel 23 kilometers down the Río Frío. This trip takes you to Lake Caño Negro inside the reserve. It is a great place for watching birds. Many tours from La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano area come to Los Chiles. Visitors then get on covered boats to go down the Río Frío to the reserve.

• Solentiname Islands: These are a group of islands in Nicaragua lake. Fishermen, farmers, painters, and crafters live here. You can reach them from Los Chiles by going up the Río Frío to San Carlos in Nicaragua. From San Carlos, boats travel into the lake to the islands.

Climate in Los Chiles

This area usually has a clear dry season. Los Chiles has a tropical savanna climate. This type of climate is often called "Aw" on climate maps.

See also

In Spanish: Los Chiles para niños