Portobelo is a beautiful port and corregimiento in Portobelo district, located on the northern part of the Isthmus of Panama. It was founded in 1597 by Spanish explorer Francisco Velarde y Mercado, and quickly replaced Nombre de Dios as a Caribbean port for Peruvian silver. The city was captured many times by pirates and privateers, including William Parker, Henry Morgan, and John Coxon. In the late 19th century the economy of Portobelo received a major boost due to the construction of the Panama Canal. Nowadays, it is one of the main tourist attraction sites in Panama, with its scenic views and historical heritage available to be enjoyed.