# Santiago de Veraguas

> human settlement

**Wikidata**: [Q685509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q685509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago_de_Veraguas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/santiago-de-veraguas

## Summary
Santiago de Veraguas is a city in Panama and the capital of Veraguas Province, serving as a major urban center in the country. Founded on July 25, 1621, it has a population of 109,605 as of 2023 and is situated in the western part of Panama. The city holds historical and administrative significance as a hub for regional governance and culture.

## Key Facts
- **Area**: 975.7 square kilometres.  
- **Population**: 109,605 (2023 census).  
- **Coordinates**: 8.105714° N, 80.971128° W.  
- **Elevation**: 101 metres above sea level.  
- **Time Zone**: UTC−05:00.  
- **Founded**: 25 July 1621.  
- **Country**: Panama.  
- **Capital of**: Veraguas Province and the district of Santiago.  
- **Twinned Cities**: Santiago (Chile), San Juan Sacatepéquez (Guatemala), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Baoding (China, since 2006).  
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 151301183, GeoNames ID 3701117, MusicBrainz Area ID d906426e-27d7-4992-93c2-583e21742b78.  
- **Locator Map**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Panamá_-_Veraguas_-_Santiago.svg.  

## FAQs
- **Where is Santiago de Veraguas located?**  
  It is situated in the Veraguas Province of Panama, bordered by the Chiriquí Province to the west.  

- **What is the population of Santiago de Veraguas?**  
  As of the 2023 census, the population is 109,605.  

- **When was Santiago de Veraguas founded?**  
  The city was founded on 25 July 1621.  

- **What administrative roles does the city hold?**  
  It serves as the capital of Veraguas Province and the corregimiento (district) of Santiago.  

- **Which cities is Santiago de Veraguas twinned with?**  
  The city is twinned with Santiago (Chile), San Juan Sacatepéquez (Guatemala), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), and Baoding (China).  

## Why It Matters
Santiago de Veraguas is a critical administrative and cultural hub in western Panama, anchoring the Veraguas Province as its capital. With a history spanning over 400 years, it reflects Panama’s colonial past and ongoing urban development. As one of Panama’s larger cities, it supports regional economic activity, education, and governance, serving as a bridge between the country’s urban and rural areas. Its twinned relationships with cities globally underscore its international connections and diplomatic engagement.

## Notable For
- **Historical Founding**: Established in 1621, making it one of Panama’s older cities.  
- **Provincial Capital**: Serves as the administrative center of Veraguas Province.  
- **International Twinning**: Partnerships with cities in Chile, Guatemala, Spain, and China.  
- **Unique Identifiers**: Holds specific VIAF, GeoNames, and MusicBrainz IDs for academic and cultural reference.  
- **Geographic Significance**: Situated at 101 metres elevation in a region spanning nearly 1,000 km².  

## Body

### Geography & Location  
Santiago de Veraguas covers 975.7 km² in western Panama, bordered by Chiriquí Province to the west. It lies at coordinates 8.105714° N, 80.971128° W, with an elevation of 101 metres above sea level. The city’s geography is detailed in maps such as *Panamá - Veraguas - Santiago.svg* on Wikimedia Commons.

### History  
Founded on 25 July 1621, the city’s inception is documented in historical records referenced by Wikipedia. Its long history is reflected in landmarks like the Catedral de Santiago de Veraguas, featured in the image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Catedral_santiago_veraguas.jpg.

### Demographics  
As of 2023, the population stands at 109,605, based on census data from the Panamanian National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC). This makes it one of Panama’s larger urban centers.

### Administration  
The city functions as the capital of Veraguas Province and the corregimiento (district) of Santiago. It is classified as both a city and a corregimiento under Panamanian administrative divisions.

### International Relations  
Santiago de Veraguas maintains twinning agreements with cities globally, including Santiago (Chile), San Juan Sacatepéquez (Guatemala), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), and Baoding (China, since 2006). These relationships highlight its diplomatic and cultural outreach.

### Cultural & Technical Identifiers  
The city is recognized by numerous international identifiers: VIAF ID 151301183, GeoNames ID 3701117, and MusicBrainz Area ID d906426e-27d7-4992-93c2-583e21742b78. It is categorized under Wikidata as a "human settlement" and has a dedicated Wikipedia page in 35 languages, including English, Spanish, and Chinese.

### Infrastructure & Accessibility  
Located in the UTC−05:00 time zone, the city operates on a schedule aligned with Western Panama. Its open-source mapping identifiers (OpenStreetMap Node ID 247027425, Relation ID 11195657) facilitate digital navigation and geographic research.

### Educational & Research Context  
Santiago de Veraguas is included in academic and encyclopedic resources, such as the *Encyclopedia of China (Third Edition)* under ID 551259, and holds a Library of Congress authority ID (n82235261). These references underscore its relevance in historical and contemporary studies.

## References

1. [巴拿马圣地亚哥市](https://wsb.baoding.gov.cn/gjyc/view_730.html)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://www.inec.gob.pa/archivos/P053342420231213140620Cuadro%2004.pdf)
6. GeoNames
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File