Diario las Américas., 1958-07-09
Know thy
IL
Neighbor
Bo RUIZ

N - In the Westernmost
part of the Republic of Panama
lie the two provinces of Chiriqui
and Bocas del Toro, the former
on the Pacific coast, and the latter
on the Caribbean Chiriqui is one
of the most favored provinces OF
the country. with its tremendous
forest tracts, it's soil rich in vol
canic matter and its fine grass
lands, which are ideal paSturage
for cattle. Agriculture is well es-
tablished in this area, where cot
fee, sugar cane, grapefruit, bana-
mas, oranges, and numerous other
fruits, grow abundantly, with
but little cultivation.
The mountains in this section
are the highest in the Republic,
offer a vast potential timber
wealth, with a complex river sy-
stem ready to provide hydro
electric power and easy transpor-
tation for a great lumber in
dustry David, the capital, is
the third city Of the Republic
in size and Importance. 1t was
founded during colonial times
and while it has kept the
traditions of that period, it has
many m o d features. 1t has
good stores and schools, a we'll
equipped hospital, motion picture
theatres and in the outskirts, beau
tiful homes. The colorful public
market brings together farmers
from the outlying rural districts,
who come to sell q great variety of
produce. The local industries are
tanning. soap making, and distil-
leries.
The National Railway connects
David with its port, Pedregal,
which plays an important part in
the coast-wise shipping between
this section of the country and Pa
mama City. A branch of the rail
road also connects David, through
Conception, with Armuelles, a
thriving maritime port and center
of operations of the Chiriquf Land
Company. This subsidiary of the
United Fruit Company operates
a line of fruit boats, with pas
sengerS a C C o m o d ations max
ing runs between Panama City anc
Armuelles. Remedies, a town or
the National Highway, in the east
ern part of the Province, is the
center Of the country's livestock
industry, for in its environs cat
tie raising has attained a notable
development.
From David northward, the rail
road climbs into the Cordillera tt
the town of Boquete, which at 4,
900 feet above sea level enjoys 1
spring climate all year round, anc
offers many attractions to the ira
veler or vacationist. Besides gooe
board and lodging, and other ser
vices to be had at Boquete, the 10
cality provides excellent rivel
bathing, Fishing, horse back rid
ing, and hunting, as well as rugged
mountain peaks to challenge thu
climber.
The country side in genera
presents a beautiful panorama O
coffee plantations and Orange
groves. Another region of grea
natural beauty in this section O
the Province is that know as E
Volcan. The inactive Baru volcano
towering to 1890 feet, dominate
this land Of densely forestet
net work of rivers well stocked
with trout and other game fish
Coffee is the chief product here
La Conception. west of David
is also on the National Highway
One of the principal trade centeri
Of the Province of Chiriqui, Con
cepcion derives its importance
from the agricultural wealth
Of the adjacent area, which
produces some of the best cot
fee, bananas, and sugar cane o.
the Republic. This produce is col
lected at Conception, and from
there shipped to Armuelles.
Spanish Version Page 3.