Bocas del Toro Province

Bocas del Toro is a province of Panama. The capital is the city of Bocas del Toro, found on the island of Colon. The population of the province numbers some 89,300 people. Its extension is 8,745 kilometers and is formed by 9 principal islands. There are many plantation of plantains here, often called the "oro verde" or green gold of Central America.

Districts

History

Christopher Columbus explored here in 1502, while searching for the passage to the Pacific ocean. Columbus's original name for the island was Isla del Drago. In colonial times, Bocas del Toro was part of Veraguas. In the times of the union with Colombia, the government made a reservation called Bocas del Toro in 1834. In 1850, Bocas del Toro became a part of Chiriqui, then was separated from it and became part of Colon. On November 16, 1903, Bocas del Toro was separated from Colon and became its own province. In 1941, Bocas del Toro was divided into 2 districts, Bocas del Toro and Crimamola. Four years later, in became into the same division as before. In 1970, B. del Toro district became Changuinola, eliminated the district Bastimentos and added 3 new districts to what it is today. The extensions of the districts changed in 1997 when the reservation Ngobe Bugle was made.

External links

* [http://www.thepanamareport.com/geeklog/public_html/article.php?story=Bocasdeltoro History of Bocas del Toro] Details the history of one of Panama's top tourism destinations and cultural strongholds.
* Island Maps, bocas street map with hotel links, photo album [http://www.bocasmarinetours.com How to get there by road and water]