The capital of Costa Rica is San José. It is the largest city in the country, located in the center of Costa Rica in the Central Valley. San José is the political, economic, and cultural hub of Costa Rica, with a population of about 350,000 in the city proper and over 2 million in the metropolitan area. It was founded in 1736 and is known for its high quality of life, cultural attractions such as the National Theatre and several museums, as well as being a major transportation center with an international airport. San José is recognized for its safety and environmental efforts among Latin American cities.