La Cruz Canton
| La Cruz | |
|---|---|
|
Cantón |
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 Location of La Cruz Canton in Guanacaste Province |
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| Country | Costa Rica |
| Province | Guanacaste |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,383.90 km2 (534.33 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2013) | |
| • Total | 23,598 |
| • Density | 17/km2 (44/sq mi) |
Cantón
La Cruz is the tenth canton in the province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica. The canton covers an area of 1,383.90 km², and has a population of 23,598.
The canton is the northernmost in the country. It encompasses the Pacific coastline from the border with Nicaragua as far south as Bahía Nancite, including the Península de Santa Elena.
The name of La Cruz dates back to the incident at the time when the mules carried the cattle from Nicaragua to Esparza, when one of them passing through the region fell dead because he pursued a cow that had escaped from the herd. This is why their peers placed a cross of sticks on his grave. Later, this cross served as a reference to the mules that went over there to make a break and also count the cattle, before continuing their journey to their final destination. Over time the site led to the formation of a burgeoning population, which began to be known as La Cruz.
In Pre-Columbian times the area currently known as the canton de La Cruz, was part of a province of the Indians called Chorotegas whose domains ranged from the Nicoya Peninsula to Lake Nicaragua, made up of several villages or domains.
The region was discovered by Don Gil Gonzalez Davila in 1522, on their march to another province of the Chorotegas, which was under the authority of the chief of the Nicarao people (in the territory now known as Nicaragua). In 1561 Don Juan de Cavallon from Granada passed through this area in his expedition to reach the Central Valley. In September 1562 Juan Vásquez de Coronado passed by this area too, who brought cattle and horses from León. He also went through the region of Perafán de Ribera in his journey towards Cartago.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, the first farmers from Rivas, Nicaragua came to this region, beginning the formation of ranches. On March 20, 1856, our troops fought their first battle against the filibusters of William Walker in the Hacienda Santa Rosa, and succeeded in defeating the invaders.
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Wikipedia