Carmen (district)

Carmen is the first distrito of San José Canton in Costa Rica, and one of the four administrative units that form San José downtown (casco central). This district is not heavily populated although it is a busy downtown area in daytime.^[1][2]

Carmen
District
Carmen district
Carmen Carmen district location in Costa Rica
Coordinates: 9.9362998°N 84.0699635°W / 9.9362998; -84.0699635
Country	Costa Rica
Province	San José
Canton	San José
Area
• Total	1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Elevation	1,156 m (3,793 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	2,702
• Density	1,800/km2 (4,800/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Postal code	10101

Geography

Carmen lies in the north of the San José Canton. It is surrounded by other districts (going clockwise): Goicoechea Canton (north) and Montes de Oca Canton (east) from San José Province. The District borders other districts of San José Canton, Catedral District (south) and Merced District (west).^[3]

Carmen has an area of 1.47 km^2[4] and an elevation of 1156 metres.^[1]

District information

This district comprises several barrios or neighbourhoods, such as Barrio Amón, Barrio Aranjuez, part of Barrio La California, El Carmen, El Empalme, Barrio Escalante and Barrio Otoya. Between its boundaries there are many important institutions and buildings, including government, health and culture.

• Asamblea Legislativa de Costa Rica – Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly building
• Hospital Calderón Guardia – One of the country's three main hospitals
• Biblioteca Nacional de Costa Rica – Costa Rica's national library
• National Insurance Institute – Government-controlled monopoly enterprise for Costa Rica's insurance business
• Atlántico railway station - Main railway station hub of the Interurbano Line train

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	±% p.a.
1883	3,163	—
1892	4,184	+3.16%
1927	7,330	+1.61%
1950	8,891	+0.84%
1963	9,221	+0.28%
1973	8,442	−0.88%
1984	5,942	−3.14%
2000	3,360	−3.50%
2011	2,702	−1.96%
2022	2,759	+0.19%
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos[5] Centro Centroamericano de Población[6]

For the 2011 census, Carmen had a population of 2702 inhabitants.^[7]

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes:

• National Route 218

Rail transportation

The Interurbano Line operated by Incofer goes through this district.