VI. POPULATION.
Reading edition
The population of Costa Rica is nearly all white and mostly descendants of Spaniards from Galicia. The Indians are not numerous and are completely distinct from the civilized race. The Negroes and mixed breeds live almost exclusively on the coast-lands.
The Costa Ricans are a well formed, robust and healthy people with regular features. The women are gracious, have splendid eyes and abundance of hair, and appear affable in manner. The men are intelligent, industrious, economical, honest and peaceable, as well as polite, truthful and generous. They respect order and property, love to work, and are proud of their wealth and of the independence of their nation.
Every Costa Rican owns property of some kind. The better class of women follow in their dress the fashions of Europe; the lower classes have gowns of muslin or calico, and wear petticoats, rebozos and very often panama hats. Some adorn themselves with earrings and other jewelry and some wear shoes.
The men dress in European style. The lower class, consisting of hard-working farmers, owners of small coffee plantations and ox-carts and oxen for internal traffic, wear coarse cloth coats, drill or cotton trousers, and straw or felt hats. Most of these people go barefooted.
The houses of the wealthy have all modern conveniences. Those of the poorer classes are nearly comfortless. They are mostly low and built of adobes, with a roof of tiles, and are arranged in regular streets crossing each other at right angles. The public buildings are spacious and ornamental.
Among the principal buildings in San José are the New National Theatre, in which about 1,000,000 pesos were invested; the National Palace; the Palace of Justice; the Executive Mansion; the Episcopal Palace; the National Distillery; the Market; the University; the High School for Young Ladies; the High School for Young Men; the Custom House; the Mint, etc.
The city possesses charitable institutions, such as hospitals, orphan asylums, insane asylums, etc., all under the management of corporations and associations constantly laboring for their improvement. The cemeteries are under the supervision of charitable associations. There are several parks, a Museum, a Public Library and scientific, legal, medical, literary and musical societies, an International Club and a German Club, etc.
The streets are mostly macadamized or paved with stones and lighted by electricity. Nearly every city is well-supplied with water conducted through pipes.
The food of the poor comprises meat, beans, corn, rice, tortillas and plantains.
Saturday is the especial market day of the cities, and from sunrise till noon the market-places are crowded with sellers and buyers. Here can be found all kind of vegetables and fruits, potatoes, corn, beans, coffee, tobacco, sugar, cheese, meat and other food, besides earthenware, hammocks, hats, rebozos, charcoal, etc.
The population of Costa Rica in 1897 was calculated to be 288,769, as follows:
90,940 inhabitants in the Province of San José.
67,972 ” ” ” Alajuela.
45,161 ” ” ” Cartago.
37,603 ” ” ” Heredia.
23,769 ” ” ” Guanacaste.
8,925 ” ” Comarca de Limon.
14,399 ” ” ” Puntarenas.
The last census, that of 1892, gave 243,205 as the entire population of the Republic.
The following table shows the population of the different “cantones” in 1892 and 1897:
Province of San José.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
San José 39,112 46,410
Escazú 6,522 7,735
Desamparados 6,471 7,616
Puriscal 6,845 8,092
Aserri 6,030 7,140
Mora 5,814 6,902
Tamazú 2,583 3,070
Goicoechea 3,341 3,975
Total 76,718 90,940
Province of Alajuela.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Alajuela 19,300 22,967
San Ramon 9,928 11,781
Grecia 8,797 10,472
Atenas 6,208 7,373
San Mateo 3,353 3,986
Naranjo 6,847 8,092
Palmares 2,770 3,296
Total 57,203 67,967
Province of Cartago.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Cartago 25,898 30,821
Paraiso 7,819 9,282
La Union 4,256 5,058
Total 37,973 45,161
Province of Heredia.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Heredia 16,480 19,635
Barba 2,964 3,522
Santo Domingo 5,118 6,069
Santa Barbara 2,845 3,379
San Rafael 4,204 4,998
Total 31,611 37,603
Province of Guanacaste.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Liberia 5,883 7,021
Cañas 2,165 2,570
Bagaces 1,476 1,749
Santa Cruz 5,948 7,021
Nicoya 4,577 5,438
Total 20,049 23,799
Comarca de Limon.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Limon 7,484 8,925
Comarca de Puntarenas.
Canton. 1892. 1897.
Puntarenas 8,869 10,472
Esparta 3,298 3,927
Total 12,167 14,399
The following table shows the constant natural increase of the population, beginning with the year of 1868:
1868 131,510 1878 163,633 1888 216,650
1869 134,416 1879 167,248 1889 224,250
1870 137,387 1880 170,943 1890 232,034
71 140,423 1881 174,720 1891 240,126
72 143,525 1882 178,581 1892 248,500
73 146,696 1883 182,528 1893 257,155
74 149,937 1884 188,895 1894 266,122
75 153,250 1885 195,483 1895 275,400
76 156,636 1886 202,297 1896 285,003
77 160,097 1887 209,357 1897 288,799
The population of Costa Rica prior to 1868 was as follows:
1864 120,499
1844 79,982
1835 74,565
1826 61,846
1778 24,536
Costa Rica being a country of immense resources, with great opportunities for success in industrial, agricultural and commercial enterprises, it may be interesting to know its smaller subdivisions, called barrios or districts, as presented in the following table, taken from the latest census, that of 1892:
Province of San José.
Canton de San José.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad { Distrito del Carmen 1,941 } 2,243 }
or { ” La Merced 2,713 } 9,265 2,544 } 10,061 19,326
Capital de { ” Catedral 1,758 } 2,095 }
San José. { ” Hospital 2,853 } 3,179 }
Barrio de San Pedro 1,273 1,418 2,691
” de San Juan 1,061 1,236 2,297
” de Curridabat 957 973 1,930
” de Zapote 485 509 994
” de San Isidro 974 997 1,971
” de San Vicente 797 867 1,664
” de Alajuelita 1,428 1,416 2,844
” de San Francisco 286 276 562
” de Uruca 675 737 1,412
” de San Jeronimo 187 169 356
” de Mata Redonda 456 486 942
” de Hortillo 194 180 374
” de San Sebastian 361 434 795
” de Las Pavas 470 484 954
Total 18,869 20,243 39,112
Canton de Escazú.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Escasú (Centro) 440 521 961
Barrio de San Antonio 741 757 1,498
” de San Rafael 835 870 1,705
” de Santa Ana 761 699 1,460
” de Salitral 475 423 898
Total 3,252 3,270 6,522
Canton de Desamparados.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Desamparados (Centro) 556 651 1,207
Barrio de San Juan de Dios 486 512 998
” de San Miguel 479 515 994
” de San Cristobal 191 238 429
” de San Rafael 384 391 775
” de Rosario 226 205 431
” de Patarra 225 209 434
” de Los Frailes 186 215 401
” de San Antonio 385 417 802
Total 3,118 3,353 6,471
Canton de Goicoechea.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Guadalupe (Centro) 667 702 1,369
Barrio de San Francisco 161 182 343
” de Ipsis y Purral 260 298 558
” de Blancos y San Gabriel 277 303 580
” del Charco y Rancho Redondo 146 117 263
” de Mata de Platano 103 125 228
Total 1,614 1,727 3,341
Canton de Puriscal.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa del Puriscal (Centro) 597 604 1,201
Barrio de San Rafael 398 373 771
” de San Pablo 371 319 690
” de Barbacoas 245 224 469
” de Desamparaditos 234 257 491
” de San Antonio 299 299 598
” de San Juan 234 211 445
” de Grifo Alto 216 212 428
” de Grifo Bajo 176 183 359
” de Mercedes 358 316 674
” de Candelarita 366 353 719
Total 3,494 3,351 6,845
Canton de Aserri.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Aserri (Centro) 587 652 1,239
Barrio de Monte Redondo 265 258 523
” de Pirris 49 52 101
” de San Ignacio 428 399 827
” de La Legua 189 132 321
” de Sabanillas 320 270 590
” de Cangrejal 176 170 346
” de Tarbaca 195 171 366
” de Cacao 198 199 397
” de La Ceiba 97 78 175
” de Ococa 105 90 195
” de Poas 124 125 249
” de Guaitil 251 223 474
” de Palmichal 114 113 227
Total 3,098 2,932 6,030
Canton de Mora.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Pacaca (Centro) 435 456 891
Barrio de Los Altos y Tienfres 369 332 701
” de Jateo 166 164 330
” de Brasil 138 140 278
” de Guajabo y Jaris 416 452 868
” de Rodeo 53 53 106
” de Morado 283 295 578
” de Tabarcia 261 238 499
” de Picagres 190 198 388
” de Piedra Blanca 206 201 407
” de Piedras Negras 388 380 768
Total 2,905 2,909 5,814
Canton de Tarrazú.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de San Marcos (Centro) 437 378 815
Barrio de San Pablo 241 230 471
” de San Andrés 111 93 204
” del General 149 135 284
” de Santa Maria 432 377 809
Total 1,370 1,213 2,583
Province of Alajuela.
Canton de Alajuela.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Alajuela (Centro) 1,750 2,078 3,828
Barrio de San Pedro 797 794 1,591
” de San Rafael 632 733 1,365
” de San José 741 798 1,539
” de Santiago Este 528 538 1,066
” ” ” Oeste 483 507 990
” de Concepcion 755 784 1,539
” de Sabanilla 734 722 1,456
” de San Antonio 681 720 1,401
” de Turrúcares 420 388 808
” de Desamparados 436 455 891
” de Tuetal 249 261 510
” de Garita 249 254 503
” de San Isidro 330 333 663
” de Itiquis 279 290 569
” de Sarapiqui 106 61 167
” de Carrillos 196 218 414
Total 9,366 9,934 19,300
Canton de Palmares.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Palmares (Centro) 324 417 741
Barrio de Esquipulas 280 266 546
” de Buenos Aires 271 294 565
” de Zaragoza 289 273 562
” de La Granja 190 166 356
Total 1,354 1,416 2,770
Canton de San Ramon.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de San Ramon (Centro) 912 1,077 1,989
Barrio de Santiago Norte 261 249 510
” ” ” Sur 621 615 1,236
” de Concepcion 281 268 549
” de Piedades Norte 502 486 988
” ” ” Sur 544 536 1,080
” de San Juan 729 733 1,462
” de San Isidro 346 361 707
” de San Rafael 595 622 1,217
” de Los Angeles 112 78 190
Total 4,903 5,025 9,928
Canton de Grecia.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Grecia (Centro) 663 716 1,379
Barrio de San Isidro 388 405 793
” de Sarchi Norte 523 509 1,032
” de Sarchi Sur 291 267 558
” de Sirri 383 372 755
” de Puente Piedra 293 334 627
” de San Jeronimo 279 252 531
” de San Roque 297 299 596
” de San Pedro de la Union 190 191 381
” de San José 393 366 759
” de Tacares 265 239 504
” de Los Angeles 215 198 413
” de San Juan 196 186 382
” de Guatuso 77 10 87
Total 4,453 4,344 8,797
Canton de Atenas.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Atenas (Centro) 388 423 811
Barrio de Jesus 581 544 1,125
” de Mercedes 432 446 878
” de Santiago 254 268 522
” de Concepcion 364 365 729
” de San Isidro 255 232 487
” de Candelaria 196 209 405
” de San José 265 248 513
” de Los Angeles 177 190 367
” de Santa Eulalia 188 183 371
Total 3,100 3,108 6,208
Canton de San Mateo.
Barrios etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa San Mateo (Centro) 340 361 701
Barrio de Santo Domingo 384 357 741
” de Desmonte 244 217 461
” de Ramadas 198 186 384
” de Mastate 293 226 519
” de Jesus Maria 146 125 271
” de Maderal 141 135 276
Total 1,746 1,607 3,353
Canton de Naranjo.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa del Naranjo (Centro) 777 830 1,607
Barrio de San Juanillo 444 546 990
” de Zarcero 374 334 708
” de San Miguel 392 413 805
” de Candelaria 281 283 564
” de Buena Vista y Tapesco 291 267 558
” de Barranca 280 219 499
” de Concepcion 259 246 505
” de San Carlos 189 112 301
” de Laguna 161 149 310
Total 3,448 3,399 6,847
Province of Cartago.
Canton de Cartago.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Cartago (Centro) 1,638 1,853 3,491
Barrio de San Nicolas 1,357 1,407 2,764
” de Los Angeles 1,192 1,338 2,530
” de San Francisco 1,134 1,203 2,337
” de Carmen 988 1,066 2,054
” de San Rafael 892 995 1,887
” de La Concepcion 891 920 1,811
” de Guadalupe 961 1,075 2,036
” de Pascon y Pacayas 786 714 1,500
” de Santa Cruz y Capelladas 667 550 1,217
” de Corralillo 350 312 662
” de San Juan de Tobosi 270 278 548
” de Quebradilla y Bermejo 201 194 395
” de Tablón 170 171 341
Pueblo de Cot 399 418 817
” de Tobosi 395 360 755
Aldea de Cervantes 397 356 753
Total 12,688 13,210 25,898
Canton de Paraiso.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa del Paraiso (Centro) 932 967 1,899
Barrio de Juan Viñas y Turialba 1,293 870 2,163
” de La Flor 366 331 697
Pueblo de Orosi 590 596 1,186
” de Tucurrique 347 292 639
” de Chirripo 158 122 280
Aldea de Cachi 278 238 516
” de Palomo y Ujarrás 227 212 439
Total 4,191 3,628 7,819
Canton de la Union.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de la Union 530 547 1,077
Barrio de San Diego 394 408 802
” de San Rafael 333 328 661
” de Concepcion 293 259 552
” de Dulce Nombre 185 182 367
” de San Juan 243 238 481
” de San Ramon 167 149 316
Total 2,145 2,111 4,256
Province of Heredia.
Canton de Heredia.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Heredia (Centro) 2,873 3,174 6,047
Barrio de San Pablo 891 904 1,795
” de San Joaquin 815 826 1,641
” de San Isidro 970 1,003 1,973
” de Mercedes 547 588 1,135
” de San Antonio 559 648 1,207
” de El Barreal 356 347 703
” de Sarapiqui 307 164 471
” de La Rivera 292 330 622
” de San Francisco 430 456 886
Total 8,040 8,440 16,480
Canton de Barba.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Barba (Centro) 419 493 912
Barrio de San Pedro 490 496 986
” de San Pablo 251 262 513
” de Santa Lucia 122 130 252
” de San Roque 161 140 301
Total 1,443 1,521 2,964
Canton de Santa Barbara.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Santa Barbara (Centro) 326 362 688
Barrio de San Pedro 290 278 568
” de San Juan 294 302 596
” de Santo Domingo 167 136 303
” de Jesus 315 375 690
Total 1,392 1,453 2,845
Canton de Santo Domingo.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Santo Domingo (Centro) 948 1,032 1,980
Barrio de San Miguel 516 477 963
” de Santo Tomas 393 417 810
” de Santa Rosa 359 395 754
” de San Vicente 177 214 391
” de Paraisito 95 95 190
Total 2,488 2,630 5,118
Canton de San Rafael.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de San Rafael (Centro) 808 804 1,612
Barrio de San José 481 494 975
” de Los Angeles 277 257 534
” de Santiago 341 383 724
” de Concepcion 172 187 359
Total 2,079 2,125 4,204
Province of Guanacaste.
Canton de Liberia.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Liberia (Centro) 1,095 1,131 2,226
Barrio de Sardinal 567 540 1,107
” de Filadelfia 388 390 778
” de Cañas Dulces 463 335 798
” de Palmira 296 257 553
” de Buenos Aires 254 167 421
Total 3,063 2,820 5,883
Canton de Cañas.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Cañas (Centro) 179 222 401
Barrio de Colorado 434 207 641
” de Sandillal 147 134 281
” de Hotel 124 132 256
” de Santa Rosa 91 65 156
” de Buenaventura 94 80 174
” de Bebedero 102 61 163
” de Javia 46 47 93
Total 1,217 948 2,165
Canton de Bagaces.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Bagaces (Centro) 180 239 419
Barrio de Bebedero 112 77 189
” de Agua Caliente 52 48 100
” de Tamarindo 85 37 122
” de Monte Negro 51 56 107
” de Montaña 68 59 127
” de Pijijé 68 54 122
” de Rio Blanco 63 48 111
” de Salitial 32 25 57
” de Joreo 26 18 44
” de Cofradia 38 40 78
Total 775 701 1,476
Canton de Santa Cruz.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Santa Cruz (Centro) 346 386 732
Barrio de Belen 368 399 767
” de Veintisiete de Abril 352 382 734
” de Santa Rosa 296 300 596
” de Limon 220 223 443
” de Tempate y Arenal 297 294 591
” de Lagunilla 160 174 334
” de San Juan 150 139 289
” de Porte Golpe 151 162 313
” de Arado 144 137 281
” de Santa Barbara 244 263 507
” de Bolsón 175 186 361
Total 2,903 3,045 5,948
Canton de Nicoya.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Villa de Nicoya (Centro) 376 428 804
Barrio de Corralillo 222 186 408
” de Matina 181 175 356
” de San Antonio 161 167 328
” de Santa Rita 167 130 297
” de Matambú 158 153 311
” de Dulce Nombre 127 134 261
” de Sabana grande 176 172 348
” de Humo 118 121 239
” de Santa Ana 87 102 189
” de San Joaquin 85 93 178
” de San Lazaro 60 62 122
” de San Pablo 38 51 89
” de San Vicente 71 70 141
” de Zapote 126 138 264
” de Pueblo Viejo 132 110 242
Total 2,285 2,292 4,577
Comarca de Puntarenas.
Canton de Puntarenas.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Puntarenas (Centro) 1,188 1,350 2,538
Barrio de los Quemados 704 567 1,271
” de Pitahaya 148 100 248
” de Lagartos 85 67 152
” de Abangares 81 57 138
” de Rio Grande 81 62 143
” de Paquera 146 130 276
” de Chomes 190 132 322
” de Ciruelitas 120 83 203
” de Puerto Alto 98 60 158
” de Cabo Blanco 105 106 211
” de Corosal 128 106 234
” de Barranca 136 100 236
” de Jicaral 66 47 113
” de Chacarita 77 55 132
” de Lepanto 75 63 138
” de Chira 51 45 96
” de San Miguel 55 43 98
” de Jigaute 52 53 105
” de Morales 57 45 102
” de Tambar 53 36 89
” de Las Agujas 85 58 143
” de Curú 29 36 65
” de Presidio de San Lucas 153 — 153
” de Golfo Dulce (Centro) 303 220 523
” de Cabagra 43 40 83
” de Buenos Aires 125 154 279
Pueblo de Terraba 107 124 231
” de Baruca 175 214 389
Total 4,716 4,153 8,869
Canton de Esparza.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Esparza (Centro) 607 638 1,245
Barrio de San Jerónimo 159 140 299
” de San Rafael 275 232 507
” de San Juan Grande 89 83 172
” de San Juan Chiquito 53 50 103
” de Macacona 131 113 244
” de Los Nances 118 87 205
” el Barón 52 40 92
” de Paires 91 86 177
” de Marañonal 69 66 135
” de Juanilama 80 39 119
Total 1,724 1,574 3,298
Comarca de Limon.
Canton de Limon.
Barrios, etc. Males. Females. Total.
Ciudad de Limon (Centro) 1,517 627 2,144
Barrio de Reventazon 656 119 775
” de Matina 530 103 633
” de Jimenez 879 106 985
” de Hospital in 12 millas 340 171 511
” de Tortuguero 124 48 172
” de Estrella, Cieneguita, } 269 160 429
” de Bananito y Cahuita }
” de Talamanca 926 909 1,835
Total 5,241 2,243 7,484
Costa Rica had in 1892, taking this census as a basis, 313 communities distributed as follows:
76 in the province of San José with 76,718 inhabitants } 203,505 inhabitants in tierra templada or temperate zone.
73 ” ” Alajuela ” 57,203 ” }
32 ” ” Cartago ” 37,973 ” }
31 ” ” Heredia ” 31,611 ” }
53 ” ” Guanacaste ” 20,049 ” } 39,700 inhabitants in tierra caliente or warm zone.
40 ” comarca de Puntarenas ” 12,167 ” }
8 ” ” Limon ” 7,484 ” }
As may have been observed, there is a great repetition of names in Costa Rica, especially of places named in honor of saints, which for commercial convenience will probably be changed. Of communities there are not less than
Key to column headings:
A: In the Department of San José. B: In the Department of Alajuela. C: In the Department of Cartago. D: In the Department of Heredia. E: In the Department of Guanacaste. F: In the Comarca de Puntarenas.
A B C D E F
10 named San Rafael 3 2 3 1 1 1
7 ” San Juan 2 2 1 1 1 -
7 ” San Isidro 1 4 1 1 - -
7 ” Concepcion - 4 2 1 - -
6 ” San Antonio 3 1 - 1 1 -
5 ” San Pedro 1 2 - 2 - -
5 ” San Francisco 2 - 1 1 1 -
5 ” Los Angeles - 3 1 1 - -
5 ” San José 1 3 - 1 - -
5 ” San Pablo 2 - - 2 1 -
4 ” San Miguel 1 1 - 1 - 1
4 ” Santiago 1 1 1 1 - -
3 ” San Vicente 1 - - 1 1 -
3 ” San Jerónimo 1 1 - - 1 -
3 ” Mercedes 1 1 - 1 - -
3 ” Buenos Aires - 1 - - 1 1
3 ” Santa Rosa - - - 1 2 -
2 ” Santa Ana 1 - - - 1 -
2 ” San Ramon - 1 1 - - -
2 ” San Roque - 1 - 1 - -
2 ” Jesus - 1 - 1 - -
2 ” San Joaquin - - - 1 1 -
2 ” Santa Barbara - - - 1 1 -
Of these 313 communities, distributed in 5 provinces with 28 cantones and in 2 comarcas with 3 cantones, the following table gives their relative importance:
Centers. Inhabitants. In the warm zone. In the temperate zone.
1 had 44 1 —
12 had from 50 to 100 11 1
51 ” 100 ” 250 40 11
79 ” 250 ” 500 25 54
109 ” 500 ” 1,000 17 92
27 ” 1,000 ” 1,500 3 24
18 ” 1,500 ” 2,000 1 17
7 ” 2,000 ” 2,500 2 5
5 ” 2,500 ” 3,000 1 4
2 ” 3,000 ” 4,000 - 2
1 ” 6,000 ” 7,000 - 1
1 ” 20,000 ” 25,000 - 1
—— —— ——
313 101 212
In order to give an idea of the density of the population, there is roundly presented in the following table the area of each province and comarca, its total population and its population per square kilometer:
Surface in square km. Total Population. Population in square km.
Province of San José 4,000 80,000 20.00 } Temperate zone.
” Alajuela 11,000 60,000 5.45 }
” Cartago 3,500 40,000 11.43 }
” Heredia 1,500 30,000 20.00 }
” Guanacaste 10,000 20,000 2.00 } Warm zone.
Comarca de Puntarenas 11,000 12,000 1.09 }
” Limon 13,000 8,000 0.61 }
In regard to the age of the population, the census of 1892 shows that there were:
Males. Females. Years.
4,820 4,348 of less than 1
15,153 14,438 from 1 to 5
16,706 16,688 ” 5 ” 10
14,849 13,865 ” 10 ” 15
11,876 12,450 ” 15 ” 20
11,412 11,764 ” 20 ” 25
11,160 10,838 ” 25 ” 30
9,652 9,520 ” 30 ” 35
6,868 6,283 ” 35 ” 40
5,824 5,878 ” 40 ” 45
3,929 3,817 ” 45 ” 50
3,949 4,032 ” 50 ” 55
2,037 2,084 ” 55 ” 60
2,085 2,145 ” 60 ” 65
913 952 ” 65 ” 70
593 755 ” 70 ” 75
347 426 ” 75 ” 80
147 281 ” 80 ” 85
85 110 ” 85 ” 90
43 58 ” 90 ” 95
32 43 ” 95 to over 100
The military census gives the following figures of able-bodied men in the different cantones, provinces and comarcas:
Province of San José.
Total.
San José 3,345 from 18 to 35 years 1,218 from 36 to 50 years, 4,563
Escasú 702 ” ” 241 ” ” 943
Desamparados 1,121 ” ” 372 ” ” 1,493
Puriscal 931 ” ” 289 ” ” 1,220
Aserri 623 ” ” 197 ” ” 820
Mora 767 ” ” 235 ” ” 1,002
Tarrazú 299 ” ” 88 ” ” 387
Goicoechea 362 ” ” 138 ” ” 500
8,150 ” ” 2,778 ” ” 10,928
Province of Alajuela.
Alajuela 2,125 from 18 to 35 years 732 from 36 to 50 years, 2,857
San Ramon 1,191 ” ” 409 ” ” 1,600
Grecia 1,121 ” ” 387 ” ” 1,508
Atenas 943 ” ” 151 ” ” 1,094
San Mateo 428 ” ” 142 ” ” 570
Naranjo 697 ” ” 229 ” ” 926
Palmares 442 ” ” 157 ” ” 599
6,947 ” ” 2,207 ” ” 9,154
Province of Cartago.
Cartago 2,512 from 18 to 35 years 869 from 36 to 50 years, 3,387
Paraiso 923 ” ” 327 ” ” 1,250
La Union 381 ” ” 163 ” ” 544
3,816 ” ” 1,359 ” ” 5,175
Province of Heredia.
Heredia 1,929 from 18 to 35 years 738 from 36 to 50 years, 2,667
Barba 341 ” ” 122 ” ” 463
Santo Domingo 623 ” ” 201 ” ” 824
Santa Barbara 298 ” ” 109 ” ” 407
San Rafael 478 ” ” 136 ” ” 614
3,669 ” ” 1,306 ” ” 4,975
Province of Guanacaste.
Liberia 732 from 18 to 35 years 257 from 36 to 50 years, 989
Cañas 122 ” ” 40 ” ” 162
Bagaces 146 ” ” 51 ” ” 197
Santa Cruz 578 ” ” 185 ” ” 763
Nicoya 491 ” ” 139 ” ” 630
2,069 ” ” 672 ” ” 2,741
Comarca de Puntarenas.
913 from 18 to 35 years 270 from 36 to 50 years, 1,183
Comarca de Limon.
78 from 18 to 35 years 39 from 36 to 50 years, 117
Total Costa Rica 25,642 ” ” 8,631 ” ” 34,273
The movement of the population in regard to births, deaths and increase was in 1892 as follows:
Province or Comarca. Births. Deaths. Increase.
San José 3,458 1,665 1,793
Alajuela 2,633 1,159 1,474
Cartago 1,616 802 814
Heredia 1,412 835 577
Guanacaste 717 284 433
Puntarenas 464 264 200
Limon 62 58 4
Total 10,362 5,067 5,295
During the first half of 1897 there were in the capitals of the same provinces or comarcas the following births and deaths:
Births. Males. Females. Deaths.
Illegitimate. Legitimate. Total. Males. Females. Total.
San José 179 428 607 } 247 209 456
Alajuela 82 290 372 } 117 115 232
Cartago 63 357 420 } 133 117 250
Heredia 13 76 89 } 825 795 85 92 177
Liberia 34 13 47 } 13 14 27
Puntarenas 35 15 50 } 44 35 79
Limon 28 7 35 } 38 24 62
Total 434 1,186 1,620 825 795 677 606 1,283
Deaths by Ages.
From 1 to 5 years 709
From 6 to 20 years 65
From 21 to 50 years 317
From 51 and upward 192
Total 1283
These data show in favor of births over deaths an increase of 337, of whom 148 were males and 189 females.
The causes of death in each 1000 cases were as follows:
Fever 220 Heart failure 31
Cholera infantum 112 Apoplexy and paralysis 81
Diarrhea 52 Indigestion 12
Dysentery and colic 77 Gastro-enteritis 15
Typhoid fever 26 Enteritis 28
Bronchitis and pneumonia 91 Inflammation 35
Phthisis 42 Cancer 16
Influenza 17 Blood-poison 17
Dropsy 31 Syphilis 5
In regard to social conditions, the population of Costa Rica was distributed in 1892, by percentages, as follows:
Province or Comarca. Married. Divorced. Widowers. Widows. Single Male. Single Female.
San José 27.52 0.38 0.89 2.98 33.77 34.46
Alajuela 28.71 0.11 0.87 3.17 34.16 32.98
Cartago 26.76 0.08 1.16 3.98 34.82 33.20
Heredia 28.33 0.07 1.06 3.22 32.94 34.38
Guanacaste 22.82 0.64 1.60 3.59 37.53 33.82
Puntarenas 18.17 0.30 1.17 3.51 40.07 36.78
Limon 5.05 0.16 0.39 0.70 69.18 24.52
With respect to instruction there were 28,208 individuals who could read, and 48,215 persons who could read and write, leaving 166,782 illiterates, or 68.58 per cent of the entire population who could not read or write.
It will be interesting for the economist to know the percentage of the population capable of reading, or writing and reading. It is as follows:
Province of San José.
Readers. Readers and writers.
San José 20.00 38.98
Escasú 8.08 9.52
Desamparados 15.40 20.01
Puriscal 9.16 11.82
Aserri 5.32 6.55
Mora 6.05 6.21
Tarrazú 9.09 10.95
Goicoechea 12.83 21.64
14.72 25.69
Province of Alajuela.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Alajuela 10.09 20.17
San Ramon 8.48 10.02
Grecia 8.32 11.22
Atenas 5.51 9.45
San Mateo 7.84 12.55
Naranjo 10.06 12.98
Palmares 6.06 15.45
8.71 14.33
Province of Cartago.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Cartago 11.50 16.83
Paraiso 6.42 8.92
La Union 10.83 17.10
10.38 15.23
Province of Heredia.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Heredia 15.42 27.81
Barba 12.72 20.27
Santo Domingo 14.16 19.50
Santa Barbara 11.53 17.40
San Rafael 9.08 14.81
13.77 22.45
Province of Guanacaste.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Liberia 14.65 19.08
Cañas 7.71 10.85
Bagaces 8.94 18.63
Santa Cruz 10.47 13.14
Nicoya 11.84 15.05
11.60 15.48
Comarca de Puntarenas.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Puntarenas 7.05 16.55
Esparza 7.43 11.76
7.15 15.25
Comarca de Limon.
Readers. Readers and writers.
Limon 5.76 31.25
Total Costa Rica 11.60 19.82
The total literates were 76,423 persons, or 31.42 per cent of the population.
In the capitals of the different provinces and comarcas the proportion was as follows:
Readers. Readers and Writers.
San José 25.37 per cent. 44.62 per cent.
Alajuela 16.92 ” 31.58 ”
Cartago 19.99 ” 37.83 ”
Heredia 15.66 ” 36.31 ”
Liberia 9.38 ” 21.96 ”
Puntarenas 17.25 ” 26.24 ”
Limon 13.47 ” 39.55 ”
20.53 ” 38.77 ”
For these cities the total literates were 23,488 persons or 59.5 per cent. of their population.
There were, out of the total number, 17,483 school children, who were taught by 451 teachers in public schools.
There were also 6289 foreigners in the country, of which
2,516 were in the Province of San José.
395 ” ” ” Alajuela.
362 ” ” ” Cartago.
138 ” ” ” Heredia.
634 ” ” ” Guanacaste.
1,293 ” Comarca de Puntarenas.
1,051 ” ” ” Limon.
These foreigners were distributed by nationalities as follows:
1,302 Nicaraguans, 342 Germans, 160 Guatemalans,
831 Spaniards, 246 Englishmen, 156 Cubans,
812 Colombians, 204 Americans, 175 Chinamen,
634 Jamaicans, 195 Salvadorans, 132 Hondurans.
622 Italians, 189 Frenchmen,
With respect to occupations, there were in Costa Rica in 1892:
896 Cattle-farmers, 565 Masons, 88 Hotel keepers,
8,314 Agriculturists, male, 279 Butchers, 42 Physicians,
194 Agriculturists, female, 900 Merchants, 243 Musicians,
22,190 Laborers, 911 Clerks, 16 Engineers,
349 Servants, male, 92 Lawyers, 12 Mechanics,
2,348 ” female, 46 Surveyors, 6 Miners,
40 Cooks, male, 131 Barbers, 41 Painters,
3,801 ” female, 913 Government employes, 20 Silversmiths,
4,541 Seamstresses, 541 Cigarmakers, 15 Watchmakers,
1,031 Laundry ironers, 265 Hat makers, 27 Saddlers,
5,873 Laundry cleaners, 111 Bakers, 49 Tanners,
366 Tailors, 54 Pharmacists, 12 Dyers,
378 Shoemakers, 11 Commission merchants, 77 Printers,
980 Carpenters, 36 Watchmen, 84 Sailors,
2,102 Carmen, 82 Blacksmiths, 28 Carpet makers.
96 Mule drivers,
A distribution of the people by their principal occupations in the different cantones was as follows:
Province of San José.
Key to column headings:
A = Farmers. F = Merchants. K = Carpenters.
B = Cattle Farmers. G = Clerks. L = Blacksmiths.
C = Laborers. H = Carmen. M = Hat makers.
D = Servants. I = Tailors. N = Cigar makers.
E = Cooks. J = Shoemakers. O = Government employes.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
San José 1,091 150 5,432 524 198 568 316 231 196 423
Escasú 409 19 772 39 6 8 168 — 1 9
Desamparados 598 30 763 52 ⭡ 15 12 107 2 5 39 ⭡ ⭡ ⭡ ⭡
Puriscal 385 23 412 — 1620 4 5 49 — 1 5 21 169 222 463
Aserri 497 8 475 42 ⭣ 4 5 89 — 1 12 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
Mora 493 16 898 33 3 3 85 — 2 8
Tarrazú 442 10 257 17 2 4 35 — 2 3
Goicoechea 226 20 286 13 9 7 27 1 5 8
Province of Alajuela.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Alajuela 687 86 2,037 211 92 32 203 11 19 52
San Ramon 218 30 891 139 31 8 97 6 6 23
Grecia 282 32 781 99 ⭡ 29 12 92 4 4 36 ⭡ ⭡ ⭡ ⭡
Atenas 59 6 372 24 704 15 7 32 3 3 12 16 — 131 118
San Mateo 94 9 278 69 ⭣ 10 8 21 3 2 5 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
Naranjo 150 21 971 61 12 10 51 2 2 18
Palmares 124 26 328 39 9 9 13 2 2 13
Province of Cartago.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Cartago 510 84 1,527 156 ⭡ 72 32 203 17 25 47 ⭡ ⭡ ⭡ ⭡
Paraiso 261 21 453 61 422 10 6 20 2 2 10 10 22 33 103
La Union 192 15 148 61 ⭣ 18 12 41 3 3 18 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
Province of Heredia.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Heredia 541 88 1,247 239 79 52 201 31 42 102
Barba 201 21 378 58 ⭡ 13 5 51 5 5 12 ⭡ ⭡ ⭡ ⭡
Santo Domingo 276 34 501 84 657 28 12 86 4 3 13 14 59 40 85
Santa Barbara 161 16 261 63 ⭣ 14 4 38 — 2 7 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
San Rafael 94 21 250 32 8 5 21 1 2 13
Province of Guanacaste.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Liberia 82 25 608 113 57 17 — 12 13 23
Cañas 31 3 97 24 ⭡ 6 5 9 1 1 3 ⭡ ⭡ ⭡ ⭡
Bagaces 87 3 138 66 267 7 3 10 — 1 4 10 12 62 50
Santa Cruz 126 7 442 52 ⭣ 19 5 13 5 4 9 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
Nicoya 52 6 392 42 5 4 — 2 5 17
Comarca de Puntarenas.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Puntarenas 21 9 371 93 217 76 28 15 9 8 12 8 3 30 55
Esparza 83 12 198 34 ⭣ 12 5 9 2 5 9 ⭣ ⭣ ⭣ ⭣
Comarca de Limon.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
Limon 35 18 276 157 71 37 18 — 7 6 15 3 — — 39
The criminal statistics of Costa Rica for 1896 were as follows:
There were 4022 delinquencies punished by the police courts, namely: 1,295 in San José, 626 in Alajuela, 678 in Cartago, 520 in Heredia, 200 in Liberia, 424 in Puntarenas and 279 in Port Limon. Of these there were convictions of
1686 for drunkenness and disorder.
861 for slight misdemeanors.
340 for fighting, domestic scandals and inflicting slight injuries.
274 for violations of sanitary and moral ordinances.
280 for vagrancy.
80 for carrying arms.
65 for petty larceny.
6 for larceny.
There were also 989 criminal sentences recorded in the Court of Second Instance, together with 124 criminal and civil judgments in the Court of Cassation.
The national “Presidio de San Lucas” contained at the same time 170 prisoners. Costa Rica in 1896 had 1744 prostitutes, mostly between sixteen and twenty-five years of age, under supervision. Nearly half of this number were in San José, the rest in the ports and in Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago. Nearly 300 women were in the hospitals being treated for venereal diseases, while 502 individuals were registered in the “Department de profilaxis venerea.”
There were during the same year thirteen commercial insolvencies, two cases of absolute and three of partial divorce.
The different courts of the country, during the year of 1896, entered 5417 civil and testamentary judgments, including a number concerning mining and national land claims.
The people of Costa Rica must be considered as standing high above those of the neighboring countries in regard to morals and civilization. The mass of the people is industrious, honest, sober, clean, comparatively well-clothed, economical, obedient to the authorities and respectful of the laws.