Zarcero (canton)

Zarcero is a canton in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.

Hiking trails, pure water creeks, friendly people, landscapes and natural attractions are features of the area.

Toponymy
The name means an abundance of the elmleaf or thornless blackberry plant, in Spanish called zarzamora.

It was originally given the name "Alfaro Ruiz" in remembrance of Juan Alfaro Ruíz, a hero from the National Campaign of 1856, or Filibuster War. The head city of the canton is the eponymous Zarcero district.

History
Zarcero was created on 21 June 1915 by decree 27.

Geography
Zarcero has an area of 155.13 km² and a mean elevation of 1,777 metres.

To the north, the region borders canton San Carlos, to the south it borders canton Naranjo, to the east it borders canton Sarchí and to the west it borders the canton San Ramón.

The canton itself is diamond-shaped, with the Espina River forming the border on the northwest and the southwest sides. The Toro River forms the southeastern border, and the La Vieja River borders the northeast.

Districts
The canton of Zarcero is subdivided into the following districts:
 * 1) Zarcero
 * 2) Laguna
 * 3) Tapezco
 * 4) Guadalupe
 * 5) Palmira
 * 6) Zapote
 * 7) Brisas

Demographics
For the 2011 census, Zarcero had a population of 12,205 inhabitants.

The canton has a 93% literacy rate, and by the year 2012 had a Human Development Index of 0.726 according to the United Nations Development Program. The region also has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

Road transportation
The canton is covered by the following road routes: • CR RNS 141.svg National Route 141

• CR RNT 741.svg National Route 741

Economy
The economy of the canton is based on agriculture, primarily coffee and vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, potatoes and chiverre. Livestock and their products, especially "natilla Zarcero", a form of sour cream that originated in this area, make up another large portion of the economy. There are also smaller pastry, bread and other agriculturally-based industries in Zarcero. Tourism likewise has an impact on the economy. Two protected areas help attract tourist attention, a section of Juan Castro Blanco National Park and El Chayote Protected Zone.

One feature of the canton is Evangelista Blanco Brenes Park, a park with topiary-designed bushes located in front of the Iglesia de San Rafael Arcángel in the center of the city of Zarcero.