Chiriquí

Province of southwestern Panama; area 8,991 sq km/3,471 sq mi; population (1996) 412,900. It has a long Pacific coastline facing the Gulf of Chiriquí. The province is watered by the David, Chiriquí and Fonsera rivers, which all flow into the Gulf of Chiriquí. The capital is David. The highlands of Chiriquí are fertile; products include coffee, citrus fruit, bananas, sugar cane, rum, vegetables, and livestock. Food processing is the main industry. Chiriquí is also the name of a volcano 3,475 m/11,499 ft high.

Tourism is a growing industry, with visitors attracted by Chiriquí's landscape and white-water rafting. Copper deposits are found in the province at Cerro Colorado.

Chiriquí

Lagoon on the north coast of Panama, in an inlet of the Gulf of Chiriquí on the Caribbean Sea. The Bocas del Toro archipelago lies on the north side of this lagoon.