Alajuela
is the capital city of the province of Alajuela in Costa
Rica. It is also the name of the district (distrito) that
includes the city. Alajuela serves as the capital for the
canton of Alajuela, an area much larger than the district.
The district of Alajuela covers an area of 8.88 km²
(1), and has a population of 46,554 (2). It lies at an elevation
of 952 meters above sea level (1) in the Central Valley
(Valle Central), 19 kilometers northwest of the national
capital city of San José.
Alajuela is
the birthplace of Juan Santamaría, the national hero
of Costa Rica. It hubs the Juan Santamaría International
Airport, the main airport serving Costa Rica (IATA: SJO
/ ICAO: MROC), which is located 3 kilometers south of the
city.
Alajuela is
also the hometown of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense [football]
club.
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