Escazú, Costa Rica

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Escazú
Location of Escazú
Area
 • Total 4.38 km2 (1.69 sq mi)
Population 13,426

Escazú, officially San Miguel de Escazú, is the capital city of the canton of Escazú in the province of San José in Costa Rica. It is also the name of the district that includes the city, a subnational entity with 14,815 inhabitants.

The area is inhabited primarily by upper-mid to high income families, and known in the Costa Rican collective consciousness as home to the country's economic elite.

Generalities

The city lies at an elevation of 1,101 meters above sea level on the northeast slopes of the Cerros de Escazú, 9 kilometers west of the national capital city of San José. The climate is mostly tropical: it is not unknown for Escazú to experience rainfall on a day in which San José is dry and sunny. November and December frequently bring high winds.

A Modern City

File:Escazu Im56.jpg
Skyline of Escazu City.

Escazú is one of the most affluent places in Costa Rica, with many expensive restaurants and shops, and has some of the most exclusive shopping and dining venues in the country. It has new developments, like Avenida Escazu, which holds the country's first IMAX theater. Avenida Escazu is a modern outdoor mall/center. This mall has many international brands like Max Mara, Women's Secret, Cortefiel, and Adolfo Dominguez, and the country's first Starbucks. Another unique feature of Escazu is that it is home to one of the most luxurious mall in Costa Rica, Multiplaza Escazu, with stores from large international brand names like Zara, Armani Exchange, MNG, Guess, Lacoste, Tiffany and Co., Carolina Herrera, Salvatore Ferragamo, among others. Many locations in the city are prized for their scenic outlooks. This zone is one of the most developed parts in the metropolitan area, populated by families with high incomes. Escazú contains many apartment blocks and residential areas.

Over the past couple of decades, Escazú has become an expatriate enclave: several embassies have their residences located here, including the residence of the US Ambassador, Dutch, British, German, Canadian, and South Korean Ambassadors. The past few years have seen a significant influx of newly arrived foreigners from North America, South America and Europe. It is home to many bars and restaurants, especially those of the more chic (and expensive) variety. Rents and prices reflect this and Escazú is one of the most well-known upscale locations in Costa Rica.[1] The city offers many venues that are English speaking oriented like movie theaters, health clinic, business centers and a luxury country club.

District information

San Miguel District (Also known as simply Escazú District or Escazú Centro), is the first of three that make up the canton. It lies in the center of this municipality, limiting west to Santa Ana Canton, north to San Rafael district and south to San Antonio district.[2]

The district has an area of 4.38 km² and a population of 14,815 inhabitants by June 30, 2008 (3,382.42 inhabitants per km²).[3]

Sports

The football soccer club Brujas F.C. was born here.The name of the team "Brujas" is a reference to the nickname of the city "La ciudad de las brujas" (The City of the Witches). However, the team moved in 2009 to Desamparados.

See also

Escazú (canton) San José Province San José, Costa Rica


References

External links