Costa Rica, country of Central America. Its capital is San José.

Was San Jose always the capital of Costa Rica?

In 1823, San José was named the capital of Costa Rica, and it took until 1838 for the city to officially become the capital of an independent nation when the Federal Republic of Central America disbanded.

Who founded San Jose Costa Rica?

The city is named in honor of Joseph of Nazareth. Founded in 1736 by order of Cabildo de León, the population of San José rose during the 18th century through the use of colonial planning. It has historically been a city of strategic importance, having been the capital of Costa Rica three times.