Orotina is the canton number 9 of the province of Alajuela, in Costa Rica. Due to its geographical position, the canton is located in the Central Pacific Region. It has an area of 141.92 km² and is divided into 5 districts. It limits to the east with Athens, to the north with San Mateo, to the south with Garabito and Turrubares, and to the west with Esparza. It was founded on August 1,1908. Its head is the city of Orotina. According to the 2011 National Census, the population of the canton was 20,341 inhabitants, of which 5.4% were born abroad.
The same census highlights that there were 6,024 occupied homes, of which, 59.9% were in good condition and there were problems of overcrowding in 5.2% of the houses.51.7% of its inhabitants lived in urban areas. Among other data, the literacy level of the canton is 96.7%, with an average schooling of 7.8 years. The same census details that the economically active population is distributed as follows: Primary Sector: 9.8%. Secondary Sector: 15.7%. Tertiary Sector: 74.5% For the year 2012 it had a high rate of human development according to the United Nations Development Program. Orotina has great productive wealth in its soils. It is remarkable the large and varied fruit production, which has made the canton famous, organizing an International Fruit Fair every year. Coffee, sugar cane, basic grains are also produced, and large portions of land are dedicated to livestock, mainly fattening. Most of the labor population of the canton is composed of employees.
There is a small percentage of people with greater resources. Another economic source is tourism, since Orotina is on the path of the main roads that connect the Central Valley with the Central Pacific of Costa Rica. In the city of Orotina, is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, erected in 1905. The city also stands out for its park, where there are several monuments such as those dedicated to the Cuban patriot José Martí and the indigenous king Garabito. One of the maximum cultural expressions is the Orotina Communal Band, which has achieved several national and international awards.