Heredia, Costa Rica

Prior to its founding, the area around Heredia was inhabited by the native tribe that is known as the Huetares, who were commanded at the coming of the Spanish by the cacique Garabito. In 1706 settlers from Cartago, set up a small church at a place they called "Alvirilla", which soon became more populated. Between 1716 and 1717 the settlers moved their village to the north, to a place the indigenous people called Cubujuquí. In 1736 Heredia was deemed sufficiently large to be granted its own parish, and the first incarnation of the Iglesia de la Inmaculada was built to serve as its parish church. ==Geography==

Heredia has an area of and an elevation of metres. Overview Heredia is located 11 km north of San José and is part of the Greater Metropolitan Area. == Demographics ==

For the 2011 census, Heredia had a population of inhabitants. == Transportation ==

Road transportation The district is covered by the following road routes: • National Route 3 • National Route 5 • National Route 112 • National Route 113 • National Route 126 • National Route 171 Rail transportation The Interurbano Line operated by Incofer goes through this district. The rebuilt and national heritage Heredia railway station is a staffed station in the south of the district. ==Sports==

The city's football club is Herediano, who have won the league title 28 times. They play their home games at the Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero. ==Sister cities==

• Marietta (Georgia, USA) • Richfield (Minnesota, USA) • Ariel (Israeli occupied West Bank) ==Notable people==

• Nathalia Alfaro, beach volleyball player who played in the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2005. • Marvin Angulo, professional footballer who currently plays for Deportivo Saprissa. • Óscar Arias, President of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010, and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987. • Fernando Baudrit Solera, former Dean of the College of Law at the University of Costa Rica and public jurist. • Jeannette Benavides, Costa Rican nanotechnologist and physical chemist • Jewison Bennette, professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Herediano and the Costa Rica national team. • Anthony Contreras, footballer who plays as a forward for AD Guanacasteca, on loan from Herediano. • Alfredo González Flores, President of Costa Rica from 1914 to 1917. His home, the House of Culture-Alfredo Gonzales Flores, was declared a National Monument in November 1974. • Zelmira Segreda Solera de Cappella, soprano singer. • Manfred Ugalde, footballer for Twente on loan from Belgian First Division B club Lommel. • Carlos Villegas, winger for club Deportivo Saprissa. • Paulo Wanchope, former Costa Rica national football team player and manager. ==Climate==

Very warm year-round, the temperatures are tempered by the amount of cloud cover that affects the area. Rainfall is spread throughout the year, but the rainiest period is May to October. The climate is relatively mild throughout the year. In the Köppen climate classification, Heredia is in the tropical monsoon climate (Am) zone. ==See also==