HEREDIA

city, central Costa Rica, on the central plateau 3,729 feet (1,137 m) above sea level, just northwest of San Jos, the national capital, via the Pan-American Highway. Probably founded in the 1570s, the city was originally called Cubujuqu and then Villavieja. The first of its many churches was established in 1706, and the name Heredia was adopted in honour of the president of the high tribunal in 1763. Throughout most of the colonial period the little village was second only to Cartago in importance in Costa Rica; the majority of the citizens were small tobacco farmers. After the independence of Mexico in 1821, Heredia took the lead among Costa Rican towns in urging annexation to the Mexican empire if Costa Rica could not remain attached to Spain. For a brief period in the 1830s Heredia served as the national capital. It is the site of the National University (1973). Heredia is also an important coffee-growing centre. Many of its residents commute to work in San Jos. Pop. (1984) 21,440.