Municipal Council of Cartago

The Municipal Council of Cartago (Concejo Municipal de Cartago) is the collegial, popularly elected body that serves as the highest hierarchical authority of the Cartago canton, the capital of the province of the same name in Costa Rica. The municipality of Cartago holds the distinction of being the oldest municipal government in the country, as the city of Cartago was the first founded in Costa Rica. The council operates under the framework of Costa Rica's municipal regime and is responsible for local governance, including the election of the mayor and vice-mayors. The council's origins trace back to the founding of the city of Cartago in 1563, when the Ayuntamiento (town council) began functioning as the capital of the Governorate of New Cartago and Costa Rica. In 1813, following the constitution promulgated in Cádiz, Spain, in 1812, the body became popularly elected. After independence, Cartago became the capital of Costa Rica, though the capital oscillated among San José, Alajuela, and Heredia until it was definitively settled in San José after the second civil war of Costa Rica in 1835. Cartago was established as a canton by Law No. 36, Article 6, on December 7, 1848. In 1867, the Municipal Ordinances were established, defining municipal functions throughout the country. This legislation underwent numerous modifications throughout the 20th century until 1998, when the current Municipal Code was established. Today, the council is composed of síndicos (trustees) representing various districts of the canton, along with the mayor and vice-mayors. The council members are elected by popular vote, and the body continues to serve as the primary local government authority for the Cartago canton.

The Municipal Council of Cartago traces its origins to the founding of the city of Cartago in 1563, when the Ayuntamiento (town council) began operating as the capital of the Governorate of New Cartago and Costa Rica. This makes it the oldest municipal government in Costa Rica. In 1813, following the constitution promulgated in Cádiz, Spain, in 1812, the body transitioned to being popularly elected. After Costa Rica's independence, Cartago became the capital of the country, but the capital status oscillated among San José, Alajuela, and Heredia for various reasons until it was definitively settled in San José after the second civil war of Costa Rica in 1835. Cartago was established as a canton by Law No. 36, Article 6, on December 7, 1848. In 1867, the Municipal Ordinances were established, defining municipal functions throughout the country. This legislation was subject to numerous modifications throughout the 20th century until 1998, when the current Municipal Code was established. The council continues to function as the highest hierarchical authority of the Cartago canton, with elected síndicos representing its districts and a mayor and vice-mayors elected by popular vote.

• 1998

  The current Municipal Code is established, replacing earlier legislation.

• 1867

  The Municipal Ordinances are established, defining municipal functions throughout Costa Rica.

• 1848

  Cartago is established as a canton by Law No. 36, Article 6, on December 7.

• 1835

  After the second civil war, the capital of Costa Rica is definitively settled in San José, ending Cartago's role as capital.

• 1813

  The council becomes popularly elected following the Cádiz Constitution of 1812.

• 1563

  Founding of the city of Cartago; the Ayuntamiento begins functioning as the capital of the Governorate of New Cartago and Costa Rica.

Local government authority for the Cartago canton, providing municipal services and governance.

1. 1Concejo Municipal de Cartago - Wikipediaes.wikipedia.org
2. 2Municipal Council of Cartago - Wikidatawikidata.org