The province of Guanacaste is filled with touristic, folkloric and other attractions. Several famous battles took place in this province: The Santa Rosa battle, that defeated William Wlaker on March 20th in 1856. The principal activities next to tourism of this province is cattle farming and rice farming, there are also important sugar cane-, as well as cotton- and bean plantations. There were also mine exploitations especially in Abangares.

T here are many National Parks such as the Guanacaste National Park, Palo Verde National Park, and places like the Barra Honda Caverns and Volcano Rincón de la Vieja etc.

GUANACASTE - ABANGARES CANTON - GENERAL INFORMATION:

Canton No. 7: Abangares
Capital: Las Juntas
Size: 675.76 km2
Habitants 1999: 17,635
Founded: No. 13, 4/6/1915
Km from Abangares to San José: 151 km

District 1: Las Juntas, City
District 2: La Sierra, Villa
District 3: San Juan, Villa
District 4: Colorado, Villa

HISTORY

It was founded n 1915. Since 1885, the principal activity of the canton had been mining and with it, harsh working conditions and a high mortality rate due to inadequate safety. These conditions led to the first strike in the history of the country in 1912.

ECONOMY:

The most important agricultural activities are sorghum, rice, beans and beef (in low-lying areas) and dairy (in high-lying areas). Mining is expanding rapidly with foreign investment. Fishing is very important in the Nicoya Golf area.

Hydrography and Climate

the town of Las Juntas is drained by the Abangares River flowing from east to west. This river often causes flooding. The climate is mostly dry tropical but in some places it is moderate and even chilly in the mountains of La Sierra de Tilarán.

the Pan-American Highway crosses the canton. There is an asphalt road from Las Juntas to Puerto Yglesias on the Gulf of Nicoya, and from Omonal to Puerto Moreno where one can take the Tempisque Ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula.