Santiago de Veraguas

Santiago de Veraguas is the capital of the province of Veraguas in Panama and has around 90,000 inhabitants.

History

Creation and colonial

Santiago was founded in the 17th century by citizens of the neighboring towns of Santa Fe de Montijo, Veraguas. The foundation should serve as a starting point for execution of the surrounding area. Santiago is mentioned in a document for the first time in 1621 in the manuscript in 2930 the National Library of Panama. Santiago was one of the Viceroyalty of New Granada to the Real Audiencia de Panamá, which was merged with General de Tierra Firme Comandancia by an administrative reform in 1751.

Independence

From Spain

On November 28, 1821 Panama City, Panama declared its independence from Spain. The Veraguas province moved to December 4 of the same year.

Of Columbia

After Panama had declared on November 3, 1903, regardless of Colombia, took the more conservative Province of Veraguas six days after it.

Economic boom in the 20th century

Santiago was - as the whole province of Veraguas - dominated by agriculture and even the early 20th century little more than the ecclesiastical, administrative and commercial center for the small hamlet in the district. When Juan Arosemena Demóstenes Barreati was elected in 1936 as president of Panama, began a new chapter for Santiago. Arosemena wanted to create ( for the western half of the country Panama City for the eastern and David ) a State in which all regions were able to develop instead of the current planning for a state with two very well-developed centers. He chose Santiago as the site of the Escuela Normal, the first teacher training college for training teachers in Panama. Many young people moved then to Santiago. The city grew and " swallowed " some surrounding villages, today form the city of Santiago.

Attractions

Its most famous attraction is the cathedral of the Diocese of Santiago de Veraguas built in 1963, the largest church in the city. Main shopping street is the Avenida Central, near the cathedral, shopping malls are the Galería and at the Plaza Banconal.

Economy

The determining sources of income of the province of Veraguas are agriculture and animal husbandry. Santiago benefited from it as a market and as the location of a (very modest ) food industry. In addition, there are some tanneries and potteries.

Traffic

The Panamericana leads as two-lane highway through the middle of Santiago. With intercity buses Santiago is easily accessible from almost all parts of the country. At the bus station is also the official taxi stand. In Santiago, there are about 330 taxis (as of 2011 ). For domestic flights, there is an airport near the city.