San José: History

Pre-20th-Century History

For much of the colonial period, San José played second fiddle to the bigger and relatively more established Cartago. Following the surprise announcement in 1821 that Spain had abandoned its colonial holdings in Central America, Cartago and San José signed a series of empty-worded accords while secretly preparing for battle. On April 5, 1823, San José defeated Cartago at the Battle of Ochomongo, and subsequently declared itself capital.

Although San José generously offered to rotate capital status, bitterness ensued, and on September 26, 1835, Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela joined forces in an attempt to sack the city. In a siege that become known as La Guerra de la Liga (the War of the Leagues), San José defeated its attackers and retained its status as the capital. (Much to the chagrin of modern day residents of Heredia, this rivalry still remains one-sided on the football field, though Alajuela manages to hold its own).

Modern History

Even well into the 20th century, San José was hardly a booming metropolis. By the early 1940s, the city had only 70,000 residents as Costa Rica remained largely agricultural, with a widely dispersed population. But as arable land was snatched up and many country folk moved into the cities in search of a better life, the size and population of San José exploded throughout the 1970s and '80s, reflecting a trend that beset cities throughout Latin America.

Recent History

Recent years have been marked by a massive urban migration as Ticos (and increasingly Nicaraguans) move to the capital in search of increased economic opportunities. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the creation of shantytowns on the outskirts of the capital, and crime is increasingly becoming a way of life for many poverty-stricken inhabitants. Ticos are quick to point fingers at the Nicaraguans (as well as the Panamanians and Colombians) for contributing to the degradation of their capital, and although these groups are certainly part of the problem, the complete picture is much more complex.

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