Grecia (canton)


Grecia is the third canton in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of, and has a population of 85,087. The capital city of the canton is also called Grecia.

Geography

The canton lies among ridges and valleys on the southwestern slope of Poas Volcano. One area is completely separated from the remainder of the canton by the Cordillera Central. Known as Río Cuarto, this area lies on the Caribbean Plain, and is intended to form its own canton at some unspecified future date.
The Río Poás and the Río Prendes establish a large portion of the eastern border of the elongated canton, with the Río Sarchí serving the same purpose on its western edge. The Río Grande is the southern border.

Districts

The canton of Grecia is subdivided into eight districts :
  1. Grecia
  2. San Isidro
  3. San José
  4. San Roque
  5. Tacares
  6. Río Cuarto
  7. Puente de Piedra
  8. Bolívar

    History

Grecia was first mentioned as a canton in a decree dated July 27, 1867.
The canton was established by a decree of August 7, 1868. It is named for the country of Greece.