Traditionally, Chiriquí was inhabited by indigenous tribes known as Guaymies. It was they who named the region Chiriquí, which means 'Valley of the Moon'.
Located in western Panama, it is one of the country's most biodiverse regions in terms of flora and fauna. It has numerous rivers flowing into the Pacific Ocean and a number of mountains, including the region's highest point, the volcano Baru, at 3,475 metres above sea level.
The region is divided into 14 districts, including the famous Baru and Boquete. Livestock and agriculture are the main economic activities, although tourism has developed in recent years. Coffee-growing, introduced by Spanish settlers at the end of the XIX century, enjoys a prestigious image, not least thanks to the quality of its geishas.