History of Guanacaste
Guanacaste’s name dates back to the middle of the 17th century from a Guanacaste tree that stood long ago in the intersection between the roads that take you to Nicoya, Bagaces and Rivas. Today the park across from the Church of Liberia occupies the spot where the historical tree was found. The Party of Nicoya, formed by the towns of Nicoya, Santa Cruz and Canas, decided to join the state of Costa Rica in July 25, 1825. Guanacaste became a Costar Rican province by the # 36 law of December the 7th of 1848, with 4 cantons and 8 parochial districts.
In the pre-Colombian period the territory that today occupies Guanacaste, was inhabited mainly by the chieftainships of Churuteca and Nicoya. Gil González Dávila, visited the region in 1523, and in 1554 Mr. Pedro Ordóñez was named magistrate of Nicoya. The first Chapel was built in Nicoya, erected in 1544; this is considered the oldest Parish of Costa Rica.
In 1961 the Diocese of Tilarán was created, its first Bishop was a Monseigneur Román Arrieta Villalobos. The first school was created in the middle of the last century. The Institute of Guanacaste initiated its activities in 1945 in the city of Liberia, and in 1949, the teacher college of Guanacaste, in 1972 the Regional Center of Guanacaste, of the University of Costa Rica
The main agricultural activities of Guanacaste are: rice, cotton, sugar cane, corn, citrus, sorghum, bean, vegetables, coffee and fruits. Cattle, chickens and fish are raised in several farms along these beautiful lands. Guanacaste offers great folklore; two of the most popular songs are “El Punto Guanacasteco “ and the “Luna Liberiana”.