La Palmera, San Carlos

La Palmera is a district of the San Carlos canton, in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.

History
La Palmera was created on 5 February 1952 by Decreto Ejecutivo 15.

Geography
La Palmera has an area of 100.45 km2 which makes it the eleventh district of the canton by area and a mean elevation of 350 metres.

It is located at an elevation range between 100 and 2200 meters above sea level.

It is located in the northern region of the country and borders four districts; Cutris to the north, Aguas Zarcas to the East, Florencia and y Quesada  to the west. While to the south it borders with the canton of Sarchí.

Its head, the town of La Palmera, is located 19.4 km (54 minutes) NE of Ciudad Quesada and 106 km (3 hours 4 minutes) to the NW of San Jose the capital of the nation.

Demographics
For the 2011 census, La Palmera had a population of 6,321 inhabitants. It is the tenth more populated district of the canton, behind of Quesada, Aguas Zarcas, Pital, La Fortuna, Florencia, Pocosol and Cutris.

Road transportation
The district is covered by the following road routes:
 * CR RNP 4.svg National Route 4
 * CR RNS 140.svg National Route 140
 * CR RNT 747.svg National Route 747
 * CR RNT 748.svg National Route 748

Settlements
La Palmera has 6 population centers:
 * La Palmera (head of the district)
 * La Marina
 * Santa Rosa
 * Concepción
 * San Francisco
 * La Unión

Economy
The main activity of this place is livestock, and in less proportion the cultivation of citrus, sugar cane, roots and tubers. There is also the exploitation of calcium carbonate.

Tourist services are also offered in the facilities of La Marina and the thermal waters (shares sources with Aguas Zarcas) where you can appreciate the nature that characterizes the place.

La Palmera urban area, has health services, educational, restaurants and grocery stores.