Bocas del Toro Province
Bocas del Toro | |
---|---|
Location of Bocas del Toro in Panamá | |
Data | |
Capital | Bocas del Toro |
population | 98,000 |
surface | 4,601 km² |
Population density | 21 people / km² |
structure | 3 |
ISO 3166-2 | PA-1 |
A typical stilt house in the Bocas | |
Bocas del Toro archipelago |
Bocas del Toro (in English: Mouths of the Bull ) is a province in northwest Panama and includes six larger islands ( Colón Island , Isla Bastimentos , Isla de Solarte, Cayos Zapatilla , Cristobal, Popa) and numerous small islands in addition to the mainland .
Districts
The province of Bocas del Toro is in turn divided into three districts ( distritos ):
- Bocas del Toro ( Bocas del Toro , provincial and district capital), consists of: Capital, Bastimentos, Cauchero, Punta Laurel and Tierra Oscura. This district is 430 km² and was established in this form in 1855.
- Changuinola (Changuinola, district capital), consists of: Capital, Almirante, Guabito, Teribe, Valle del Risco, El Empalme and Las Tablas. The size of this district is 208 km², it was founded in 1903.
- Chiriquí Grande (Chiriquí Grande, district capital), consists of: Capital, Miramar, Punte Peña, Punta Robalo and Rambala. The size is 4005 km², founded in 1970.
history
In 1502, Christopher Columbus explored this area. In the times of Greater Colombia , the area called Bocas del Toro was founded in 1834 . In 1850 the Bocas del Toro were merged with the province of Chiriquí , later separated again and added to the province of Colón . On November 16, 1903, this connection was canceled and the Bocas del Toro became a province of their own. In 1941 this was then divided into two districts, Bocas del Toro and Crimamola. Four years later this was also reversed and there was again only one province. In 1970, the Bocas del Toro district was renamed Changuinola, the Bastimentos district fell away and three new ones were added, making it what it is today. The size of the districts changed in 1997 when the Ngöbe-Buglé reserve was established.
The Chiriquí Land Company light railways were shut down in the late 20th / early 21st century.
tourism
Among tourists, the Bocas are one of the most popular destinations next to Panama City - due to the Caribbean flair, the picturesque surroundings and the easy accessibility from Costa Rica's Sixaola border crossing .
The islands offer numerous accommodations, especially in the provincial capital Bocas del Toro , tourism has become by far the largest source of income. Surfing, snorkeling, diving and boat trips are among the main activities in this biodiverse region.
environment
The Marine National Park of the island of Bastimentos is a national park that includes large parts of the island of Bastimentos , many smaller islands and, for the most part, marine areas.
Web links
- Administrative division map of the province (PDF; 296 kB)
- bocasdeltoro.com - official website for tourism
Coordinates: 9 ° 0 ′ N , 82 ° 30 ′ W