Diario las Américas., 1958-03-12
Know thy
Neighbof
By RUIZ

PANAMA - In the western
most part of the Republic of Pa
mama lie the two provinces of Chi
rlqui and Boas del Toro, the
former on the Pacific coast, and
the latter on the Caribbean. Chi
riqui is one of the most favored
provinces of the country, with its
tremendous forest tracts, its soil
rich in volcanic matter, and its
fine graSSlandS, which are ideal
paSturage for cattle. Agriculture is
well established in this area, where
coffee, sugar cane, grapefruit, ba-
nanaS, oranges, and numerous 9th
er fruits, grow abundantly, with
but little cultivation.
The mountains in this section
are the highest in the Republic.
and offer a vast potential timber
wealth, with a complex river sy-
stem ready to provide hydroelec-
trio power and easy transportation
for a great lumber industry David,
the capital, is the third city of
the Republic in size and import
ance. 1t was founded during CO.
lonial times and while it has kept
the tradtios of that period, it has
many modern features. 1t has good
stores and schools, a well-equip-
ped hospital, motion picture thea
tres and in the outskirts, beautiful
homes. The colorful public market
brings together farmers from the
outlying rural districts, who come
to seel a great variety of produce.
The local industries are tanning,
soap making, and distilleries.
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 cen
ter of operations of the Chiriqui
Land Company. This subsidiary of
the United Fruit Company oper-
ateS a line of fruit boats, with pas
Senger Accommodations, making
runs between Panama City and
Armuelles. Remedies, a town on
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 to
the town of Boquete, which at
1000 feet above sea level enjoys a
springs climate all year round, and
offers many attractions to the ira
veler or v~acationist. Besides good
board and lodging, and other SER
vices to be had at Boquete, the
locality provides excellent river
bathing, fishing, horse back rid
ing, and hunting, as well as rugged
mountain peaks to challenge the
climber.
The countryside in general pre-
sents a beautiful panorama OF CO.
flee plantations and orange gro
YES. Another region of great ma
tural beauty in this section of the
Province is that known as FL Vol
can. The inactive Baru volcano,
towering to II 1900 feet, dominates
this land of densely forested
mountains, high clear lakes and a
network 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 cen.
tiers of the Province of Chiriqui,
Conception derives its importance
from the agricultural wealth of
the adjacent area, which produces
some of the best coffee, bananas,
and sugar cane of the Republic.
This produce is collected at Con-
cepcion, and from there shipped to
Armuelles.
Spanish Version Page 3