Province of Herrera

Province of Herrera

Capital: Chitré
Districts: 7
Townships: 48
Foundation: 1915
Demonym: Herrerano

The name Herrera was given to the province in the 19th century to commemorate General Tomás Herrera, who had been Governor of Panama several times when the Isthmus was a Colombian department, and who died in Santa Fe de Bogotá in 1854 as he triumphantly entered that capital leading the army that had overthrown General José María Melo's tyranny.

Herrera is a province in Panama. Although it was created in 1854, it disappeared when its territory was reabsorbed by the Province of Los Santos. After the creation of the Republic of Panama, it was re-established with the same name on January 18, 1915, from territories of the Province of Los Santos. Its capital is Chitré.

It is the leading province in the production of corn and sugarcane, always ahead of the Province of Chiriquí. Retail commerce, repair of personal effects, and household goods prevail. The city of Chitré promotes the development of industry, commerce, and services (banks, financial institutions, cooperatives, etc.), as well as industries based on leather manufacturing, alcoholic beverages, ceramics, clay products, tile, block, and cement factories.

There is also a dairy industry and beef production. There are farms that cultivate shrimp and fish and companies that export seafood and non-traditional agricultural products.

In sports, the Province of Herrera also excels, mainly in baseball, where it has won 16 titles in the major category in the years: