Province
History
The history of Panamá Oeste is far older than the province created in 2013. Before colonization, Indigenous populations inhabited the western central isthmus; during the colonial period, settlements developed along the routes leading west, among them La Chorrera, which grew in importance as a communication point between the capital and the interior. The towns that now form Arraiján, Capira, Chame, San Carlos and La Chorrera built economies around agriculture, cattle raising and fishing, along with distinctive cultural expressions such as the Chorreran drum tradition. The opening of the Bridge of the Americas in 1962 created the first permanent road crossing over the Canal and accelerated urban growth in Arraiján and La Chorrera. In 1966, Altos de Campana was established as Panama's first national park, protecting forests on the western edge of the Canal watershed. After the transfer of the Canal areas, the former Howard Air Force Base was transformed into the Panamá Pacífico special economic area, while Coronado and the coastline of Chame and San Carlos drove beach-oriented tourism and residential development. Finally, Law No. 119 of December 30, 2013 created Panamá Oeste Province, operational since January 1, 2014, with the districts of Arraiján, Capira, Chame, La Chorrera and San Carlos and with La Chorrera as its capital.
