Limón,
also known as Puerto Limón, is the capital city of
the homonymous province of Costa Rica. It is that country's
main Caribbean port, and has a population of around 105,000
(including many neighboring small cities). The city, and
the province in general, is home to most of Costa Rica's
citizens of African descent. Originally from Jamaica, these
workers were brought to the area in the late 19th century
to build the railroad line from San José to Limón.
The train boosted the country's banana exports and economy
in general. By the time the line was closed, the city was
the country's primary harbor.
Limón is also home to speakers of Mekatelyu, a creole
of English.
Limón
is famous in Costa Rica for its yearly fall festival, which
occurs the week of October 12, the date Columbus first weighed
anchor off Limón's coast in 1502. This festival draws
tourists from across the country as well as from abroad,
as well as a wide variety of merchants who sell everything
from necklaces to doormats.
Limón
is a province of Costa Rica. It is located in the eastern
part of the country at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
It borders from the south clockwise the country Panama,
the provinces Puntarenas, San José, Cartago and Heredia,
and the country Nicaragua. The capital is Limón.
The province covers an area of 9,189 km², and has a
population of 339,295 (2000). It is subdivided into six
cantons. About 50 percent of Limón's residents are
Afro-Caribbean (mostly Jamaican) ancestry. English creole
and Spanish are spoken in the province. The town of Puerto
Viejo de Limón is a popular surfing destination featuring
the Salsa Brava and Cockle's beach.
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