Castilla de Oro ordel Oro (Spanish:[kasˈtiʎaðeˈoɾo]) was the name given by theSpanish settlers at the beginning of the 16th century to theCentral American territories from theGulf of Urabá, near today'sColombian-Panamanianborder, to theBelén River in Panama. Beyond that river, the region was known asVeragua, and was disputed by the Spanish crown along with theColumbus family. The name "Castilla de Oro" was made official in May 1513 by KingFerdinand II of Aragon, then regent of theCrown of Castile.
AfterVasco Núñez de Balboa's discovery of thePacific Ocean, Castilla de Oro's jurisdiction was broadened to include the Pacific coasts of Panama,Costa Rica, andNicaragua.
With the creation, in 1527, of theProvince of Nicaragua [es], which included today's Nicaragua as well as theNicoya Peninsula, Castilla de Oro's jurisdiction was reduced. In 1537, once the conflict between the crown and the Columbus family was settled, Castilla de Oro was split up, divided by theDuchy of Veragua.
The western portion, which comprised most of Panama's and Costa Rica's Pacific coasts, was merged in 1540 withRoyal Veragua, to create the Province ofNuevo Cartago y Costa Rica.
The eastern part, the last remnant of Castilla de Oro, in time became known as theRealm of Tierra Firme, orPanamá, especially after the creation of the Royal Academy of Panamá in 1538. In 1560, the new Province of Veragua, created byPhilip II out of the now defunct Duchy of Veragua, was merged with Castilla de Oro.
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