David, city in western Panama, capital of Chiriquí Province, on the David River and plain south of a volcanic mountain range. Lying on the Inter-American Highway, David is a trade center in an area growing sugar, bananas, rice, coffee, cacao, and timber. Industries include sugar refining, tanning, and the manufacture of furniture, ceramics, shoes, clothing, and soap. The city was founded in the 1730s as a gold-prospecting camp. Population (1996 estimate) 115,173.
