Bagaces is a canton in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. The head city is in Bagaces district.

History

In the Pre-Columbian era, Bagaces was home to the Nicarao people who settled in Guanacaste after migrating from Central and southern Mexico. Evidence of Mesoamerican style markets and Jade showed that Bagaces had flourished during Pre-Columbian times. Bagaces was created on 7 December 1848 by decree 167. Bagaces is also one of the oldest settlements in early Spanish conquest in the 1540s. It became an important town after 1601 when the "Mule Trail" was established communicating Cartago, the capital of the province, with Guatemala, the capital of the Captaincy General. Bagaces was a necessary night stop and later acquired fame because of its dry bisquist (Biscocho) and cheese (Queso Bagaces), an important supply for the long ride.

Geography

Bagaces has an area of 1,273.49 km² and a mean elevation of 396 metres. The Salto River on the west and Tenorio River on the east delineate this canton, with the Tempisque River as the southern border and the northern border high in the Cordillera de Guanacaste. Miravalles Volcano sits near that border's midway point.

Districts

The canton of Bagaces is subdivided into the following districts:

Demographics

For the 2011 census, Bagaces had a population of 19,536 inhabitants.

Transportation

Road transportation

The canton is covered by the following road routes: • CR RNP 1.svg National Route 1 • CR RNP 6.svg National Route 6 • CR RNS 164.svg National Route 164 • CR RNS 165.svg National Route 165 • CR RNT 922.svg National Route 922 • CR RNT 923.svg National Route 923