Pérez Zeledón (canton) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pérez Zeledón
Canton
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Pezeta (P.Z.)
Anthem: Himno Municipal de Pérez Zeledón
Pérez Zeledón Location in San José Province Show map of San José Province Pérez Zeledón Location in Costa Rica Show map of Costa Rica
Country	Costa Rica
Province	San José
Creation	9 October 1931
Head city	San Isidro de El General
Districts	Districts San Isidro de El General El General Daniel Flores Rivas San Pedro Platanares Pejibaye Cajón Barú Río Nuevo Páramo La Amistad
Government
• Type	Municipality
• Body	Municipalidad de Pérez Zeledón
Area
• Total	1,901.08 km2 (734.01 sq mi)
Elevation	690 m (2,260 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	134,534
• Estimate  (2022)	156,917
• Density	70.7671/km2 (183.2861/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Canton code	119

Pérez Zeledón is a canton (like a county) in the San José area of Costa Rica. It's located in the Brunca region, which is in the southern part of the country. The main city and capital of this canton is San Isidro de El General.

The canton has natural borders like the Río Savegre to the northwest and the Río Guabo to the southwest. High mountains from the Cordillera de Talamanca (Talamanca Mountain Range) are to the east. The Río General flows through the middle of the canton, giving its name to the capital city.

History of Pérez Zeledón

Pérez Zeledón was officially created on October 9, 1931. It started with four main areas called districts: Ureña, El General, Daniel Flores, and Rivas. Ureña was the first capital city.

Early Settlements

In the late 1800s, many families began living in the El General valley. Small villages, called caseríos in Spanish, like El General, Palmares, Rivas, and Ureña, grew larger after 1900.

Ureña became a much bigger settlement. By 1911, during the time Ricardo Jiménez Oreamuno was in charge, special shelters were built. These shelters were in places like Ojo de Agua, El Cerro de la Muerte, and División. They helped the area, now known as Pérez Zeledón and El General Valley, to grow even more.

Role in the Civil War

San Isidro de El General, the capital of Pérez Zeledón, was given a special title: Ciudad Mártir. This means "Martyr City." It received this honor because of its important role in the Costa Rican Civil War of 1948. A special rule, Decree Nº274, officially recognized the city's brave actions.

This decree explained that the leaders of the new government wanted to publicly thank San Isidro de El General for its great effort. They wanted to make sure the city's important actions were never forgotten.

Pérez Zeledón was also where some big battles happened during the war. One of the most famous was the Battle of San Isidro de El General. About 200 government soldiers fought against revolutionary forces in the city's main square. José Figueres Ferrer and his revolutionary army won this battle. This victory helped them control the southern Pacific part of Costa Rica.

Geography

Pérez Zeledón covers an area of about 1,901 square kilometers. Its average height above sea level is 690 meters.

Districts

The canton of Pérez Zeledón is divided into these districts:

• San Isidro de El General
• El General
• Daniel Flores
• Rivas
• San Pedro
• Platanares
• Pejibaye
• Cajón
• Barú
• Río Nuevo
• Páramo
• La Amistad

Population Data

In 2022, Pérez Zeledón had an estimated population of 156,917 people. This is more than the 134,534 people counted in the 2011 census.

A report by the United Nations Development Programme showed that Pérez Zeledón has a Human Development Index of 0.746. This index measures things like how long people live, how much education they get, and their income. A higher number means better development.

Economy

Chirripó National Park is 3,820 meters above sea level.

A view of Cerro Chirripó.

The economy of Pérez Zeledón mainly relies on farming, raising animals, trade, and tourism. Its location helps a lot because it acts like a "bridge" between Costa Rica's capital, San José, and the southern areas near Panamá.

Key Economic Activities

Important farming activities in the area include:

• Growing Sugar Cane
• Growing Coffee
• Growing Tiquizque (a root vegetable)
• Growing Bananas
• Growing Blackberryes

Coffee and sugar cane are the most important crops for the region's economy.

Raising animals is also a big part of the economy. Pigs and cattle are the most important animals raised here. Cattle are used for meat and for producing milk.

Trade has grown a lot in recent years. This is because many credit unions, banks, and local businesses have opened in the canton. Also, companies from the Central Valley (San José) have set up operations here.

Tourism

The main reason people visit Pérez Zeledón is its amazing variety of nature. Tourist spots include the Chirripó National Park. This park has one of the highest peaks in Central America and the Caribbean, reaching 3,820 meters (about 12,533 feet) above sea level.

Another popular activity is going on journeys along the fast-moving rivers, known as rapids.

The Parque Internacional La Amistad, which means 'The Friendship International Park', is another important park in the area.

Education

12 de Marzo School in San Isidro de El General, Pérez Zeledón.

The first elementary school in Pérez Zeledón opened between 1902 and 1906. It was called Escuela Mixta de Ureña. It was located in the Ureña district, south of San Isidro de El General's central park.

After the Costa Rican Civil War, the school moved to a new building. It is now called "Escuela 12 de Marzo". This name honors the start date of the Costa Rican Civil War, which had just ended when the school moved to its current location.

Transportation

Road Transportation

These are the main road routes that go through Pérez Zeledón:

Notable People

• Keylor Navas, a famous football goalkeeper.

See also

In Spanish: Cantón de Pérez Zeledón para niños