San
José (Spanish: San José; IPA:) is the capital
and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the centre of
the country, sprawling across the Central Valley, the city
is the seat of the government, the focal point of political
and economic activity, as well as the major transportation
hub of this Central American nation.
Founded in 1738, San José is one of the youngest
capitals of Latin America by its year of foundation, though
it was named capital until 1823. Nowadays it's a modern
city with bustling commerce, brisk expressions of art and
architecture, and spurred by the country's improved tourism
industry, a significant destination and stopover for foreign
visitors.
Officially,
the city's current population is 346.799, inhabiting the
area corresponding to San José Canton, the first
of twenty administrative units in San José Province,
though the metropolitan area stretches beyond the canton
limits and comprises a third of the country's population.
Besides, San José exerts a strong influence on a
wider range because of its proximity to minor cities (Alajuela,
Heredia and Cartago) and the country's demographic assemblage
in the Central Valley.
The city lies
at a mean elevation of 1,161 m above sea level, and enjoys
a stable climate throughout the year, with an average temperature
of 23C and precipitation of 150 mm per month.
The University
of Costa Rica was established here in 1843, in that time
with the name of "University of Santo Tomás".
San José also serves as the headquarters of the Inter-American
Court of Human Rights. The city is served by Juan Santamaría
International Airport, 23 km west of downtown, near Alajuela.
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