Costa Rica is administratively divided into seven provinces which are subdivided into 82 cantons, and these are further subdivided into districts. Cantons are the only administrative division in Costa Rica that possess local government in the form of municipalities. Each municipality has its own mayor and several representatives, all of them chosen via municipal elections every four years.
The original 14 cantons were established in 1848, and the number has risen gradually by the division of existing cantons. Law no. 4366 of 19 August 1969, which outlines the creation of administrative divisions of Costa Rica, states that new cantons may only be created if they have at least one percent of the republic's total population, which was {{nts|4301712}} as of the last census (2011).[1][2] The last new canton, Río Cuarto, was created on March 30, 2017.[2][3]
The largest canton by population is the capital San José with a population of {{nts|288054}}. The smallest canton by population is Turrubares with {{nts|5512}} residents.[2] The largest canton by land area is San Carlos, which spans {{convert|3347.98|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}, while the smallest is Flores at {{convert|6.96|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.[4]
The mayor's main duties are to liaise with the municipal council, district councils and the entire administrative apparatus of the canton, and to approve and implement the decisions taken by the municipal council.[6] The number of members of the municipal council varies from one canton to another, and they are elected by local elections held every four years.[7] The head of the council is titled the municipal president (presidente municipal). The council's main task is to manage the canton at the local level, and is responsible for planning basic policies and establishing budgets. More specifically, the responsibilities include urban and agricultural planning and organizing cultural affairs, health care, education and industry.[8] Each municipal president appoints a number of working commissions that deal with issues specific to the municipality.[9]
| Name | Province | Population
(2011)[10] | Population
(2000)[11] | Change[10][11] | Land area (km²)[4] | Population density | Incorporation date[4] |
|---|
| San José{{double-dagger|alt=National Capital and Provincial Capital}} | San José | 288054|309672|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | 44.62}} | 288054|44.62|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Escazú | San José | 56509|52372|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | 34.49}} | 56509|34.49|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Desamparados | San José | 208411|193478|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | 118.26}} | 208411|118.26|km2|prec=1}} | 1862 |
| Puriscal | San José | 33004|29407|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | 553.66}} | 33004|553.66|km2|prec=1}} | 1868 |
| Tarrazú | San José | 16280|14160|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | 297.50}} | 16280|297.50|km2|prec=1}} | 1868 |
| Aserrí | San José | 57892|49319|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|167.10}} | 57892|167.10|km2|prec=1}} | 1882 |
| Mora | San José | 26294|21666|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|162.04}} | 26294|162.04|km2|prec=1}} | 1883 |
| Goicoechea | San José | 115084|117532|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|31.50}} | 115084|31.50|km2|prec=1}} | 1891 |
| Santa Ana | San José | 49123|34507|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|61.42}} | 49123|61.42|km2|prec=1}} | 1907 |
| Alajuelita | San José | 77603|70297|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|21.17}} | 77603|21.17|km2|prec=1}} | 1909 |
| Vásquez de Coronado | San José | 60486|55585|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|222.20}} | 60486|222.20|km2|prec=1}} | 1910 |
| Acosta | San José | 20209|18661|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|342.24}} | 20209|342.24|km2|prec=1}} | 1910 |
| Tibás | San José | 64842|72074|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|8.15}} | 64842|8.15|km2|prec=1}} | 1914 |
| Moravia | San José | 56919|50419|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|28.62}} | 56919|28.62|km2|prec=1}} | 1914 |
| Montes de Oca | San José | 49132|50433|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|15.16}} | 49132|15.16|km2|prec=1}} | 1915 |
| Turrubares | San José | 5512|4877|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|415.29}} | 5512|415.29|km2|prec=1}} | 1920 |
| Dota | San José | 6948|6519|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|400.22}} | 6948|400.22|km2|prec=1}} | 1925 |
| Curridabat | San José | 65206|60889|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|15.95}} | 65206|15.95|km2|prec=1}} | 1929 |
| Pérez Zeledón | San José | 134534|122187|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1905.51}} | 134534|1905.51|km2|prec=1}} | 1931 |
| León Cortés Castro | San José | 12200|11696|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|120.80}} | 12200|120.80|km2|prec=1}} | 1961 |
| Alajuela{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Alajuela | 254886|222853|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|758.32}} | 254886|758.32|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| San Ramón | Alajuela | 80566|67975|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1018.64}} | 80566|1018.64|km2|prec=1}} | 1856 |
| Grecia | Alajuela | 76898|65119|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|395.72}} | 76898|395.72|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| San Mateo | Alajuela | 6136|5343|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|125.90}} | 6136|125.90|km2|prec=1}} | 1868 |
| Atenas | Alajuela | 25460|22479|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|127.19}} | 25460|127.19|km2|prec=1}} | 1868 |
| Naranjo | Alajuela | 42713|37602|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|126.62}} | 42713|126.62|km2|prec=1}} | 1886 |
| Palmares | Alajuela | 34716|29766|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|38.06}} | 34716|38.06|km2|prec=1}} | 1888 |
| Poás | Alajuela | 29199|24764|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|73.84}} | 29199|73.84|km2|prec=1}} | 1901 |
| Orotina | Alajuela | 20341|15705|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|141.92}} | 20341|141.92|km2|prec=1}} | 1908 |
| San Carlos | Alajuela | 163745|127140|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|3347.98}} | 163745|3347.98|km2|prec=1}} | 1911 |
| Zarcero | Alajuela | 12205|10845|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|155.13}} | 12205|155.13|km2|prec=1}} | 1915 |
| Valverde Vega | Alajuela | 18085|16239|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|120.25}} | 18085|120.25|km2|prec=1}} | 1949 |
| Upala | Alajuela | 43953|37679|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1580.67}} | 43953|1580.67|km2|prec=1}} | 1970 |
| Los Chiles | Alajuela | 23735|19732|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1358.86}} | 23735|1358.86|km2|prec=1}} | 1970 |
| Guatuso | Alajuela | 15508|13045|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|758.32}} | 15508|758.32|km2|prec=1}} | 1970 |
| Río Cuarto | Alajuela | 11074|-|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|254.20}} | 11074|254.20|km2|prec=1}} | 2017 |
| Cartago{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Cartago | 147898|132057|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|287.77}} | 147898|287.77|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Paraíso | Cartago | 57743|52393|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|411.91}} | 57743|411.91|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| La Unión | Cartago | 99399|80279|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|44.83}} | 99399|44.83|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Jiménez | Cartago | 14669|14046|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|286.43}} | 14669|286.43|km2|prec=1}} | 1903 |
| Turrialba | Cartago | 69616|68510|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1642.67}} | 69616|1642.67|km2|prec=1}} | 1903 |
| Alvarado | Cartago | 14312|12290|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|81.06}} | 14312|81.06|km2|prec=1}} | 1908 |
| Oreamuno | Cartago | 45473|39032|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|202.31}} | 45473|202.31|km2|prec=1}} | 1914 |
| El Guarco | Cartago | 41793|33788|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|167.69}} | 41793|167.69|km2|prec=1}} | 1939 |
| Heredia{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Heredia | 123616|103894|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|282.60}} | 123616|282.60|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Barva | Heredia | 40660|32440|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|53.80}} | 40660|53.80|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Santo Domingo | Heredia | 40072|34748|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|24.84}} | 40072|24.84|km2|prec=1}} | 1869 |
| Santa Bárbara | Heredia | 36243|29181|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|53.21}} | 36243|53.21|km2|prec=1}} | 1882 |
| San Rafael | Heredia | 45965|37293|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|48.39}} | 45965|48.39|km2|prec=1}} | 1885 |
| San Isidro | Heredia | 20633|16056|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|26.96}} | 20633|26.96|km2|prec=1}} | 1905 |
| Belén | Heredia | 21633|19834|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|12.15}} | 21633|12.15|km2|prec=1}} | 1907 |
| Flores | Heredia | 20037|15038|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|6.96}} | 20037|6.96|km2|prec=1}} | 1915 |
| San Pablo | Heredia | 27671|20813|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|7.53}} | 27671|7.53|km2|prec=1}} | 1961 |
| Sarapiquí | Heredia | 57147|45435|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|2140.54}} | 57147|2140.54|km2|prec=1}} | 1970 |
| Liberia{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Guanacaste | 62987|46703|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1436.47}} | 62987|1436.47|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Nicoya | Guanacaste | 50825|42189|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1333.68}} | 50825|1333.68|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Santa Cruz | Guanacaste | 55104|40821|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1312.27}} | 55104|1312.27|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Bagaces | Guanacaste | 19536|15972|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1273.49}} | 19536|1273.49|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Carrillo | Guanacaste | 37122|27306|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|577.54}} | 37122|577.54|km2|prec=1}} | 1877 |
| Cañas | Guanacaste | 26201|24076|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|682.20}} | 26201|682.20|km2|prec=1}} | 1878 |
| Abangares | Guanacaste | 18039|16276|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|675.76}} | 18039|675.76|km2|prec=1}} | 1915 |
| Tilarán | Guanacaste | 19640|17871|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|638.39}} | 19640|638.39|km2|prec=1}} | 1923 |
| Nandayure | Guanacaste | 11121|9985|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|565.59}} | 11121|565.59|km2|prec=1}} | 1961 |
| La Cruz | Guanacaste | 19181|16505|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1383.90}} | 19181|1383.90|km2|prec=1}} | 1969 |
| Hojancha | Guanacaste | 7197|6534|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|261.42}} | 7197|261.42|km2|prec=1}} | 1971 |
| Puntarenas{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Puntarenas | 115019|102504|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1842.33}} | 115019|1842.33|km2|prec=1}} | 1862 |
| Esparza | Puntarenas | 28644|23963|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|216.80}} | 28644|216.80|km2|prec=1}} | 1848 |
| Buenos Aires | Puntarenas | 45244|40139|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|2384.22}} | 45244|2384.22|km2|prec=1}} | 1914 |
| Montes de Oro | Puntarenas | 12950|11159|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|244.76}} | 12950|244.76|km2|prec=1}} | 1915 |
| Osa | Puntarenas | 29433|25861|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1930.24}} | 29433|1930.24|km2|prec=1}} | 1940 |
| Quepos | Puntarenas | 26861|20188|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|543.77}} | 26861|543.77|km2|prec=1}} | 1948 |
| Golfito | Puntarenas | 39150|33823|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1753.96}} | 39150|1753.96|km2|prec=1}} | 1949 |
| Coto Brus | Puntarenas | 38453|40082|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|933.91}} | 38453|933.91|km2|prec=1}} | 1965 |
| Parrita | Puntarenas | 16115|12112|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|478.79}} | 16115|478.79|km2|prec=1}} | 1971 |
| Corredores | Puntarenas | 41831|37274|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|620.60}} | 41831|620.60|km2|prec=1}} | 1973 |
| Garabito | Puntarenas | 17229|10378|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|316.31}} | 17229|316.31|km2|prec=1}} | 1980 |
| Limón{{dagger|alt=Departmental Capital}} | Limón | 94415|89933|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|1765.79}} | 94415|1765.79|km2|prec=1}} | 1909 |
| Pococí | Limón | 125962|103121|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|2403.49}} | 125962|2403.49|km2|prec=1}} | 1911 |
| Siquirres | Limón | 56786|52409|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|860.19}} | 56786|860.19|km2|prec=1}} | 1911 |
| Talamanca | Limón | 30712|25857|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|2809.93}} | 30712|2809.93|km2|prec=1}} | 1969 |
| Matina | Limón | 37721|33096|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|772.64}} | 37721|772.64|km2|prec=1}} | 1969 |
| Guácimo | Limón | 41266|34879|dec=1|align="right"|invert=on}} | {{nts|576.48}} | 41266|576.48|km2|prec=1}} | 1971 |
| Costa Rica | 4301712|3810179|dec=1|align="right"|bold=on|invert=on | bgcolour=#f2f2f2} | {{nts|51100}} | {{Pop density|4301712|51100|km2|prec=1}} |
1. ^{{cite book |last= Comisión Nacional de División Territorial Administrativa|date=1980 |title= Estudio sobre la División Territorial Administrativa de la Republica de Costa Rica |trans-title= Study on the Administrative Territorial Division of the Republic of Costa Rica |location=Costa Rica |publisher=Imprenta Nacional|language=Spanish |at=§53}}
2. ^{{cite news|last=Pérez |first=Carlos Arrieta |title=Río Cuarto será el cantón 82 de Costa Rica|url=http://www.elpais.cr/2017/03/30/rio-cuarto-sera-el-canton-82-de-costa-rica/|accessdate=March 30, 2017|agency=El País}}
3. ^{{cite news|last=Granados|first=Greivin|title=¡Es oficial! Río Cuarto es el cantón 82 de Costa Rica|url=http://www.laprensalibre.cr/Noticias/detalle/107154/950/es-oficial-rio-cuarto-es-el-canton-82-de-costa-rica-|accessdate=March 30, 2017|agency=La Prensa Libre}}
4. ^1 2 {{cite web|url=http://www.ifam.go.cr/PaginaIFAM/ifams/Descargas/CDI/Legal/Divisi%C3%B3n%20Territorial%20CR%20%20Publicado%20en%20La%20Gaceta%2026%20mayo%202009.pdf |title=Division Territorial Administrativa de Costa Rica|trans-title= Administrative Territorial Divisions of Costa Rica |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |format=PDF |date=2009 |language=Spanish |accessdate=December 30, 2015 |dead-url=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802162747/http://www.ifam.go.cr/PaginaIFAM/ifams/Descargas/CDI/Legal/Divisi%C3%B3n%20Territorial%20CR%20%20Publicado%20en%20La%20Gaceta%2026%20mayo%202009.pdf |archivedate=August 2, 2015 }}
5. ^1 {{cite book |last= Alfaro and Zeledón|date=2006 |title=Derechos ciudadanos y el gobierno local en Costa Rica |trans-title=Rights of citizens and local governments in Costa Rica |location=San José |publisher=Lara Segura & Asoc. |language=Spanish|page=35}}
6. ^{{cite book |last= Alfaro and Zeledón|date=2006 |title=Derechos ciudadanos y el gobierno local en Costa Rica|trans-title=Rights of citizens and local governments in Costa Rica |location=San José |language=Spanish |publisher=Lara Segura & Asoc. |pages=36–37}}
7. ^{{cite web |url=http://www.tse.go.cr/pdf/elector/mayo2011.pdf |title=El Elector |trans-title=The Elector |language=Spanish |date=May 2011 |publisher=Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120164233/http://www.tse.go.cr/pdf/elector/mayo2011.pdf# |archive-date=2013-01-20 |dead-url=yes |df= }}
8. ^{{cite book |last= Unidad de Información y Adiestramiento|date=1987 |title=La Municipalidad y sus funciones |trans-title=The Municipality and its functions|location=San José |language=Spanish | at=§6}}
9. ^{{cite book |last= Unidad de Información y Adiestramiento|date=1987 |title=La Municipalidad y sus funciones |trans-title=The Municipality and its functions |location=San José |language=Spanish |at=§11}}
10. ^1 2 3 {{cite web |url=http://www.inec.go.cr/A/MS/Censos/Censo%202011/Resultados%20preliminares/C%2001.%20Costa%20Rica%20Poblaci%C3%B3n%20total%20por%20sexo,%20total%20de%20viviendas%20por%20ocupaci%C3%B3n%20y%20promedio%20de%20ocupantes%20seg%C3%BAn%20provincia,%20cant%C3%B3n%20y%20distrito.xls |title=Población total por zona y sexo, según provincia, cantón y distrito |trans-title=Total population by area and sex, province, county and district |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |format=XLS |date=2011 |language=Spanish |accessdate=December 23, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305045205/http://www.inec.go.cr/A/MS/Censos/Censo%202011/Resultados%20preliminares/C%2001.%20Costa%20Rica%20Poblaci%C3%B3n%20total%20por%20sexo%2C%20total%20de%20viviendas%20por%20ocupaci%C3%B3n%20y%20promedio%20de%20ocupantes%20seg%C3%BAn%20provincia%2C%20cant%C3%B3n%20y%20distrito.xls |archivedate=March 5, 2016 |df= }}
11. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.inec.go.cr/A/MS/Censos/Censo%202000/Carater%C3%ADsticas%20Demogr%C3%A1ficas/C01.Poblaci%C3%B3n%20total%20por%20zona%20y%20sexo,%20seg%C3%BAn%20provincia,%20cant%C3%B3n%20y%20distrito.xls |title=Población total por zona y sexo, según provincia, cantón y distrito |trans-title=Total population by area and sex, province, county and district |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos |format=XLS |date=2000 |language=Spanish |accessdate=December 23, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505220123/http://www.inec.go.cr/A/MS/Censos/Censo%202000/Carater%C3%ADsticas%20Demogr%C3%A1ficas/C01.Poblaci%C3%B3n%20total%20por%20zona%20y%20sexo%2C%20seg%C3%BAn%20provincia%2C%20cant%C3%B3n%20y%20distrito.xls |archivedate=May 5, 2016 |df= }}
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