town, central Panama, on the Inter-American Highway, just west-southwest of Panama City. An agricultural processing centre, in an area raising coffee, oranges, and cattle, it is served by the Pacific port of Caimito on the Gulf of Panama. There are several spectacular waterfalls nearby in the Caimito River, including those of El Chorro, Caño Quebrado, and Santa Rita. An annual fiesta honours St. Francis, the town's patron saint. Pop. (2000) 55,871.