List of Panama Provincias and Capitals - Provincias in Panama

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 22, 2026

Panama is divided into 10 provinces (provincias) and three indigenous regions. Here is a list of the provinces in Panama:

Panama is a Central American country bordered by Costa Rica, Colombia, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into 10 provinces and 6 indigenous autonomous regions known as comarcas. Panama City is the national capital and also the largest city in Panama.

The country includes tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, coastal plains, islands, river valleys, and the Panama Canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Different provinces and indigenous regions are known for shipping, tourism, agriculture, fishing, trade, and biodiversity.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Panama City
  • Total population: 4,700,000 (Official estimate 2025)
  • Total area: 75,417 km² (29,119 sq miles)
  • Currency: Balboa (PAB) and United States Dollar (USD)
  • Bordering countries: Costa Rica, Colombia
  • Total Provinces and Indigenous Regions: 16
  • Total Districts: 80+

List of Provinces and Indigenous Regions of Panama

Total administrative divisions shown: 16 | Combined population: 4,700,000 | Combined area: 75,417 km²

#Province / ComarcaCapital CityGeographic RegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1Bocas del ToroBocas del ToroCaribbean Coast4,657170,000
2ChiriquíDavidWestern Highlands6,547500,000
3CocléPenonoméCentral Panama4,927280,000
4ColónColónCanal Caribbean Zone4,868310,000
5DariénLa PalmaEastern Jungle Region11,89665,000
6Emberá-WounaanUnión ChocóIndigenous Eastern Forests4,38315,000
7Guna YalaEl PorvenirCaribbean Islands2,34045,000
8HerreraChitréAzuero Peninsula2,340125,000
9Los SantosLas TablasAzuero Peninsula3,809100,000
10Ngäbe-BugléBuäbtiIndigenous Highlands6,968230,000
11PanamáPanama CityCapital Region11,6702,000,000
12Panamá OesteLa ChorreraPacific Metropolitan Zone2,786620,000
13VeraguasSantiagoCentral-West Panama10,677280,000
14Guna de MadugandíAkua YalaEastern Indigenous Territory2,3186,000
15Guna de WargandíMortíEastern Indigenous Territory7752,000
16Naso Tjër DiSieyikNorthwestern Indigenous Forests1,6065,000

Largest Provinces and Regions by Area

  • Darién - 4,593 sq mi (11,896 km²)
  • Panamá - 4,506 sq mi (11,670 km²)
  • Veraguas - 4,122 sq mi (10,677 km²)
  • Ngäbe-Buglé - 2,690 sq mi (6,968 km²)
  • Chiriquí - 2,528 sq mi (6,547 km²)
  • Coclé - 1,902 sq mi (4,927 km²)
  • Colón - 1,880 sq mi (4,868 km²)
  • Bocas del Toro - 1,798 sq mi (4,657 km²)

Most Populous Provinces and Regions

  • Panamá - Population: 2,000,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Panamá Oeste - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Chiriquí - Population: 500,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Colón - Population: 310,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Coclé - Population: 280,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Veraguas - Population: 280,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Ngäbe-Buglé - Population: 230,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
  • Bocas del Toro - Population: 170,000 (Official Estimate 2025)

Smallest Provinces and Regions by Area

  • Guna de Wargandí - 299 sq mi (775 km²)
  • Naso Tjër Di - 620 sq mi (1,606 km²)
  • Guna de Madugandí - 895 sq mi (2,318 km²)
  • Guna Yala - 903 sq mi (2,340 km²)
  • Herrera - 903 sq mi (2,340 km²)
  • Panamá Oeste - 1,076 sq mi (2,786 km²)

Administrative Divisions by Geographic Grouping

  • Azuero Peninsula: Herrera, Los Santos
  • Canal Caribbean Zone: Colón
  • Capital Region: Panamá
  • Caribbean Coast: Bocas del Toro
  • Caribbean Islands: Guna Yala
  • Central Panama: Coclé
  • Central-West Panama: Veraguas
  • Eastern Indigenous Territory: Guna de Madugandí, Guna de Wargandí
  • Eastern Jungle Region: Darién
  • Indigenous Eastern Forests: Emberá-Wounaan
  • Indigenous Highlands: Ngäbe-Buglé
  • Northwestern Indigenous Forests: Naso Tjër Di
  • Pacific Metropolitan Zone: Panamá Oeste
  • Western Highlands: Chiriquí

Landlocked Provinces and Regions

  • Coclé
  • Emberá-Wounaan
  • Guna de Madugandí
  • Guna de Wargandí
  • Herrera
  • Ngäbe-Buglé

Provinces and Regions with Coastline

  • Bocas del Toro
  • Chiriquí
  • Colón
  • Darién
  • Guna Yala
  • Los Santos
  • Naso Tjër Di
  • Panamá
  • Panamá Oeste
  • Veraguas

Administrative Divisions Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Costa Rica: Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Ngäbe-Buglé
  • Colombia: Darién, Emberá-Wounaan, Guna Yala

Major Economic Activities by Province and Region

Province / RegionMain Economic ActivityKnown For
PanamáFinance and shippingPanama Canal and capital city
ColónTrade and logisticsCaribbean canal ports
ChiriquíAgriculture and tourismCoffee production and mountains
Bocas del ToroTourism and fishingCaribbean islands and beaches
DariénForestry and conservationDense tropical rainforest
VeraguasAgriculture and fishingPacific and Caribbean access

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