Chitré
Encyclopedia
Chitré is the capital of the Panama
nian province Herrera
. Chitré is located about 7 km inland from the Gulf of Panama
on the Azuero Peninsula
The name Chitre comes from the native tribe Chitra . In the city, there is a district, also called Chitré, which is subdivided into five corregimientos. The corregimientos are San Juan Bautista, Llano Bonito, Monagrillo, La Arena and Chitré.The population in 2000 was 25,336. The new legislator for 2009 is Manuel Cohen Salerno.
When Herrera Province
was created in 1915, Chitré was named its capital. In 1941, during the presidency of Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Herrera Province
was joined with Los Santos Province
, with Chitré as the joint province's capital. During the presidency of Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia the two provinces were again separated (as they are today), with Chitré as the provincial capital of Herrera.
On October 19, 1948 the city had a large centennial celebration. For its commemoration, a street was renamed Avenida Centenario.
Chitre has a nearby beach called Agallito. During low tide, many types of crabs come out, and thousands of birds of different species come to eat. This makes and ideal birdwatching and photography conditions. The ornithologist Francisco Delgado, discoverer of the Painted Parakeet of Azuero, resides in Chitré.
Herrera borders on the north with Cocle, on the south with Los Santos, north/northeast with Veraguas and east with the Pacific Ocean (Parita Bay). The Santa Maria river acts as a border with Cocle while the La Villa river performs the same function on the border with Los Santos. It is located on the Azuero Peninsula, place that shares with Los Santos and part of Veraguas.
The most important towns in Herrera are Chitre, Parita, Ocu, Las Minas, Los Pozos and Santa Maria in that order more or less. It is a very lively place during the yearly carnivals. Herrera, like the other central provinces, is best known for its artisanal products, in particular clay pottery. These can be found in many places along the road such as the one depicted here in the town of La Arena.
The city of Chitre has become the commercial center for the central provinces of the country. Credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard
or American Express
are widely used in most of the shopping centers, malls, grocery stores, Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and for car rentals.
The city has cheaper shops and markets, all located in the city's downtown, along with trading places and sale stores, it also has a plaza and some factories, of service, Heavy and touristic based industry.
There is a large regional bus terminal in Chitré; destinations include Las Minas
, Las Tablas
, Los Posos, Ocú
, Panama City
, Pesé
, Santiago
, and Tonosí
. Chitré's small airport offers flights to Panama City on Aeroperlas
.
The cooperation and good dealing are the rule and not the exception for Chitre people. Chitre city is a result of that statement and it's very peaceful and secure, that makes this city a paradise for retirement people who wants to live in calm miles away from big disturbing cities.
The carnival
celebrations in the city are well-known world wide. It's one of the most famous in the country and are held every year in February, receiving overseas people and non-residents of the city from other Panama
provinces. The Holy Week
, Corpus Christi
, and St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the city, are also famous celebrations domestically.
Province pride is played every summer in the Baseball championships. Chitre host whole matches of the province at Rico Cedeno Stadium. The historical success on National championships made us as one of the most winning provinces in this sport, who is the most important not only in Chitre city or Herrera province area even in whole country.
The last title was obtained in 2007, when Herrera was triple champion from 2005 to 2007.
Melitón Martín Villalta, blessed the ceremony. The school's first director was Arcadio Castillero. The Hipólito Pérez Tello School (Escuela Hipólito Pérez Tello), also an elementary school, operated in the Tomás Herrera building in its early days.
The José Daniel Crespo School (Colegio José Daniel Crespo), a secondary school, was long the only secondary school to serve Chitré and Villa de Los Santos. It is among the best public secondary schools in the country. The Padre Segundo Familiar Cano School (Colegio Padre Segundo Familiar Cano), called Monagrillo Secondary School (Colegio Secundario de Monagrillo) since 2007, is also located in Chitré. It was founded in 1970 and is now has a national reputation as an excellent school.
There are also many private schools in Chitré, including the Colegio Agustiniano, a Roman Catholic private school, and International Saint George school.
The University of Panama
has a site in Chitré, as do the Latin University of Panama and Columbus University
.
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
nian province Herrera
Herrera Province
Herrera is a province in Panama. Named after General Tomás Herrera, the province was founded on January 18, 1915 after a division of the Los Santos province. The capital city of Herrera is Chitré, which is located near the province's coastline...
. Chitré is located about 7 km inland from the Gulf of Panama
Gulf of Panama
The Gulf of Panama is a gulf in the Pacific Ocean, near the southern coast of Panama. It has a maximum width of , a maximum depth of and the size of . The Panama Canal connects the Gulf of Panama with the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
on the Azuero Peninsula
Azuero Peninsula
Azuero Peninsula is a large peninsula in southern Panama. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the south; the Pacific and Gulf of Montijo to the west, and by the Gulf of Panama in the east...
The name Chitre comes from the native tribe Chitra . In the city, there is a district, also called Chitré, which is subdivided into five corregimientos. The corregimientos are San Juan Bautista, Llano Bonito, Monagrillo, La Arena and Chitré.The population in 2000 was 25,336. The new legislator for 2009 is Manuel Cohen Salerno.
History
Chitré was founded on October 19, 1848 as a parochial district (distrito parroquial). The Provincial Chamber of Panama ordered in their Article 1, inscription 4 to organize Chitre as a Parroquial District, in the County of Los Santos, this district was to included the towns of Chitre, Monagrillo and La Arena, separate from Los Santos District. Chitré's founders are said to be Ventura Solís, Matías Rodríguez, José Ríos, José María Benavidez, Ildelfonso Pérez, Blas Tello, Eugenio Barrera, José Burgos, and Carlos Rodríguez.When Herrera Province
Herrera Province
Herrera is a province in Panama. Named after General Tomás Herrera, the province was founded on January 18, 1915 after a division of the Los Santos province. The capital city of Herrera is Chitré, which is located near the province's coastline...
was created in 1915, Chitré was named its capital. In 1941, during the presidency of Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Herrera Province
Herrera Province
Herrera is a province in Panama. Named after General Tomás Herrera, the province was founded on January 18, 1915 after a division of the Los Santos province. The capital city of Herrera is Chitré, which is located near the province's coastline...
was joined with Los Santos Province
Los Santos Province
Los Santos is a province of Panama. The capital city is Las Tablas, which is famous for its carnivals, the Festival Nacional de la Pollera , and the Festival of the Patron Santa Librada; and the Festival Nacional de la Mejorana in Guararé...
, with Chitré as the joint province's capital. During the presidency of Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia the two provinces were again separated (as they are today), with Chitré as the provincial capital of Herrera.
On October 19, 1948 the city had a large centennial celebration. For its commemoration, a street was renamed Avenida Centenario.
Geography
The natural vegetation of the region is tropical dry forest, although most of the forest has been cut down.Chitre has a nearby beach called Agallito. During low tide, many types of crabs come out, and thousands of birds of different species come to eat. This makes and ideal birdwatching and photography conditions. The ornithologist Francisco Delgado, discoverer of the Painted Parakeet of Azuero, resides in Chitré.
Herrera borders on the north with Cocle, on the south with Los Santos, north/northeast with Veraguas and east with the Pacific Ocean (Parita Bay). The Santa Maria river acts as a border with Cocle while the La Villa river performs the same function on the border with Los Santos. It is located on the Azuero Peninsula, place that shares with Los Santos and part of Veraguas.
The most important towns in Herrera are Chitre, Parita, Ocu, Las Minas, Los Pozos and Santa Maria in that order more or less. It is a very lively place during the yearly carnivals. Herrera, like the other central provinces, is best known for its artisanal products, in particular clay pottery. These can be found in many places along the road such as the one depicted here in the town of La Arena.
Economy and transportation
Chitré has many amenities and conveniences similar to Panama City like: hotels, restaurants with national and international food, banks, stores, internet access, multilevel malls, telecommunication systems, etc. It is one of Panama highest developed cities and one of the most industrialized ones which provides the country and part of the continent with fuels, meats and clothes.The city of Chitre has become the commercial center for the central provinces of the country. Credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
or American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
are widely used in most of the shopping centers, malls, grocery stores, Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, hotels and for car rentals.
The city has cheaper shops and markets, all located in the city's downtown, along with trading places and sale stores, it also has a plaza and some factories, of service, Heavy and touristic based industry.
There is a large regional bus terminal in Chitré; destinations include Las Minas
Las Minas
- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
, Las Tablas
Las Tablas
Las Tablas is the capital of the Panamanian province of Los Santos. It is located a few kilometers inland from the Gulf of Panama on the Azuero Peninsula. Las Tablas is a recognized national center of Panamanian folk: Art, music, gastronomy, architecture, culture and literature...
, Los Posos, Ocú
Ocú
Ocú is a town in the Herrera province of Panama.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
, Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
, Pesé
Pesé
- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
, Santiago
Santiago de Veraguas
Santiago de Veraguas is the capital of the Panamanian province Veraguas. Santiago is located in southern Veraguas near the provincial border with Herrera. The city has approximately 60,059 people according to the Panama 1990 Census. Santiago is one of the oldest settlements in Panama. The...
, and Tonosí
Tonosí
Tonosí is a town in the Los Santos province of Panama.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com...
. Chitré's small airport offers flights to Panama City on Aeroperlas
Aeroperlas
Aeroperlas is an airline based in Panama City, Panama. It is a regional airline operating over 50 daily flights to 15 domestic destinations, as well as charter flights. It operates services as part of the Grupo TACA Regional Airlines system. Its main base is Marcos A...
.
Culture
The chitreans are friendly and cheerful by themselves. They celebrates and full enjoy partys with people even if they aren't from the town.The cooperation and good dealing are the rule and not the exception for Chitre people. Chitre city is a result of that statement and it's very peaceful and secure, that makes this city a paradise for retirement people who wants to live in calm miles away from big disturbing cities.
The carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
celebrations in the city are well-known world wide. It's one of the most famous in the country and are held every year in February, receiving overseas people and non-residents of the city from other Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
provinces. The Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi (feast)
Corpus Christi is a Latin Rite solemnity, now designated the solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ . It is also celebrated in some Anglican, Lutheran and Old Catholic Churches. Like Trinity Sunday and the Solemnity of Christ the King, it does not commemorate a particular event in...
, and St. John the Baptist, patron saint of the city, are also famous celebrations domestically.
Province pride is played every summer in the Baseball championships. Chitre host whole matches of the province at Rico Cedeno Stadium. The historical success on National championships made us as one of the most winning provinces in this sport, who is the most important not only in Chitre city or Herrera province area even in whole country.
The last title was obtained in 2007, when Herrera was triple champion from 2005 to 2007.
Education
For much of its history, Chitré did not have its own elementary school. In these times, classes (separated by gender) were taught in rented houses in the town. The Chitré School (Escuela de Chitré), later called Bolivian Republic School (Escuela República de Bolivia), was built in 1928 using funds contributed by the Panamanian government and by local residents. In 1934, the building that would house the prestigious Tomás Herrera School (Escuela Tomás Herrera) was built. The parish priest, PresbyterPresbyter
Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos...
Melitón Martín Villalta, blessed the ceremony. The school's first director was Arcadio Castillero. The Hipólito Pérez Tello School (Escuela Hipólito Pérez Tello), also an elementary school, operated in the Tomás Herrera building in its early days.
The José Daniel Crespo School (Colegio José Daniel Crespo), a secondary school, was long the only secondary school to serve Chitré and Villa de Los Santos. It is among the best public secondary schools in the country. The Padre Segundo Familiar Cano School (Colegio Padre Segundo Familiar Cano), called Monagrillo Secondary School (Colegio Secundario de Monagrillo) since 2007, is also located in Chitré. It was founded in 1970 and is now has a national reputation as an excellent school.
There are also many private schools in Chitré, including the Colegio Agustiniano, a Roman Catholic private school, and International Saint George school.
The University of Panama
University of Panama
The University of Panama was founded on October 7, 1935, with a student body of 175 in the fields of Education, Commerce, Natural Sciences, Pharmacy, Pre-Engineering and Law. , it maintains a student body of 74,059 distributed in 228 buildings around the country.The University of Panama was founded...
has a site in Chitré, as do the Latin University of Panama and Columbus University
Columbus University (Panama)
The Columbus University, is an institution of High Education, established on October 12 of 1992. It is authorized for its functioning by the Panamanian Ministry of Education, and is recognized as a Private University, by the Panamanian State, through the Executive Decree No...
.
Notable people from Chitre
- Sheila E. Lichacz, international artist and diplomat (ambassador-at-large, Panama)
- Enrique GeenzierEnrique GeenzierJuan Enrique Geenzier was a self-taught Panamanian writer, politician, and diplomat.In 1916, he won the Natural Flower prize at the Floral Games. Geenzier ran the literary magazine Esto y Aquello. He served as a diplomat in Costa Rica, New York, and Venezuela...
, poet, politician, and diplomat - Ricaurte Arrocha Adames (Chitré 1939 - ), doctor, surgeon, and writer
- Annabel MiguelenaAnnabel MiguelenaAnnabel Miguelena was born in Chitré in 1984. She is a Panamanian writer, actress and lawyer. Has published "Amo tus pies mugrientos" , "Punto final" and "Pedacito de luna"...
writer, lawyer, actress - Emilio Regueira, musician, bandleader (Los RabanesLos RabanesLos Rabanes is a Latin Grammy winner Rock band from Chitré, Herrera, Republic of Panama. Originated in the year 1992 after the end of the bands "Rum & Coke" and "El Decimo Piso". They formed the band with the idea to play in small pubs and bars at weekends. Soon the group won international...
) - Félix Danilo Gómez (Flex), musician
- Juan Ramón SolísJuan Ramón SolísJuan Ramón Solís Barragán is a professional football midfielder who currently plays in Liga Panameña de Fútbol, the top football League of Panama at San Francisco F.C.-International career:...
, football player - Massiel Rodríguez, journalist
- César Anel Rodríguez, journalist and television presenter
- Sandra Sandoval, singer
- Samy Sandoval, accordionist
- Álvaro Álvarado, television presenter
- Gisela Tuñón, television presenter
- Christian Torres, musician in Los RabanesLos RabanesLos Rabanes is a Latin Grammy winner Rock band from Chitré, Herrera, Republic of Panama. Originated in the year 1992 after the end of the bands "Rum & Coke" and "El Decimo Piso". They formed the band with the idea to play in small pubs and bars at weekends. Soon the group won international...
- Javier SaavedraJavier SaavedraJavier Saavedra Vázquez is a Mexican football defender. He currently plays for Irapuato FC.-Career:Saavedra started his career in 1996 with Toros Neza, where he reached a final...
, musician in Los RabanesLos RabanesLos Rabanes is a Latin Grammy winner Rock band from Chitré, Herrera, Republic of Panama. Originated in the year 1992 after the end of the bands "Rum & Coke" and "El Decimo Piso". They formed the band with the idea to play in small pubs and bars at weekends. Soon the group won international... - Mirtha Rodríguez, radio and television presenter
- Oscar Poveda, television presenter
- Andres "Ito" Poveda, humorist