The Cultivation of Coffee in Costa Rica, a National Treasure
Several factors favored the establishment of the "Golden Grain". The places where the first plantations were made were characterized by soils of volcanic origin, extremely fertile; a rainy season and a dry one, relatively uniform and favorable temperatures throughout the year contributed to the optimal development of the plant. After Independence, in 1821, the municipal governments were the first to encourage this crop with policies of plant delivery and land grant to those who were interested. The Josefina municipality, a pioneer in that effort, was soon emulated by the administrative bodies of other settlements: Cartago and Tres Ríos. The Heads of State, Juan Mora Fernández and Don Braulio Carrillo, supported the coffee activity and saw in coffee the product that would generate an economic movement to benefit all the economy and allow the economic and social development of Costa Rica. Don Mariano Montealegre is considered the main promoter of the crop b