Only 3 million years ago America was two totally separate continents, then the Isthmus of Panama emerged as a bridge of interconnection, allowing the largest biological exchange in history, animals from the north and south were able to move freely between both hemispheres.
As if that weren’t enough, Panama caused the course of ocean currents to change, causing a collapse in the global climate. And just over 100 years ago, human beings divided Panama in half and America in two, again, when they built the Panama Canal, a waterway only 80 km long, to facilitate world trade.
In the middle of this narrow strip of land is Veraguas, which still preserves that natural wealth.
Veragua’s History
Its name comes from the indigenous word “Verahua”, “Veracua” or “Viragua”. No one knows for sure where the name comes from because there is more than one story. But it seems evident to me: “Ver-aguas” means “see-water” in Spanish.
Before this territory became known as “Panama”, it was once part of “Veragua” a mysterious land across the sea claimed by the Spanish Kingdom. The province’s name was first used in its original form in the singular, “Veragua” by Christopher Columbus. It was appointed by the Governor of Veragua, the Duchy of Veragua, the real Veragua, and the province of Veraguas. Later on, the plural form Veraguas began to prevail.
It was on the north coast of Veraguas, where the Spaniards met for the first time with pure gold; the natives wearing large plates of it suspended from their necks as mirrors; they had likewise ornaments of gold of a low standard called guanin (most probably a natural alloy of gold and copper), rudely shaped, which were likened to eagles, but were rather of the sacred macaw or parrot.
Columbus says in his narration, “It is the custom in this territory of Veragua to bury the chief men with all the gold they possess;”
Veragua (former name of Veraguas) was explored by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage. He tried to establish the first colony in the new Spanish mainland but failed due to attacks from native Indians.
The Quibian, the area’s native inhabitants, massacred an exploratory party that had gone upriver. When Spanish corpses came floating down the river, Columbus loaded the ships and set sail for Hispaniola.
The conquistadors returned to the area two decades later and eventually overcame the Quibian. Panama was the first country on the mainland of the Americas to be mined by Europeans during the Spanish colonial period.
After finding gold, they established mines, and in 1560 founded the town of Concepción (now defunct), 10km west of Río Belén. African slaves were brought in to extract gold and run the smelter in Concepción.
With mines completely spent by 1590, many miners fled or took to farming throughout Pacific Veraguas and the Península de Azuero.
Veraguas has the Best of the Land and the Sea
Now the gold of Veraguas is not golden, it’s green, we offer close contact with nature and adventure activities, mountains with a tropical wet jungle forest, good weather all year-round, more than 410 coastlines including white sand beaches, about 50 islands, more than 200 varieties of orchids, and 400+ species of birds, besides mammals, reptiles, and insets some of them, not jet discovered.
Tourists will be impressed by the beautiful beaches famous for their surfing practices, more than 1,700 hectares of well-preserved coral reef is a diving paradise.
Veraguas is also the land of the Guaymi people, known as the fierce warriors who defeated the Spaniards several times.
Although they are no longer ferocious, they still prefer to keep their distance from the rest of the country. Due to their voluntary isolation, their traditional practices and culture have remained unchanged for centuries.
We promise head-turning surprises by land and sea, show you the hidden life down under astounds with technicolor reefs, swimming with thousands of rainbow fish of Panama Pacific coast.
We invite you to Explore Veraguas – Natural, Authentic and Wild.
You will find meaning, connecting with our habitat and tasting local cuisine flavors. To create more iconic memories, more sensorial experiences, to “Live for More”.
