The present work constitutes a research project carried out in the hydrographic basin of the Chiriquí Viejo River, characterized by the high potential of quality and fluvial regime of the water resource for its use. The objective of the research was to identify and determine the behavior of the key social characteristics of the river basin, by the incidence of water extractivism for the purpose of power generation, developed from the year 2000 to the current date. It involved identifying the most important social characteristics of the river basin and how its behavior has been manifested in the face of excessive exploitation of the water resource. The methodology used for the research was based on the information collected in situ, through surveys, interviews, bibliography, photographs, which were analyzed by means of two (2) technological tools: a) Geographic Information System (GIS), b) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). As a result, five (5) key social characteristics were identified, which are attributed to the river basin and define it as a unit of complex geographical space. These characteristics are: social power, social control, social mobility, social movement and collective behavior. The existence of the water extractivism process was also determined, identified as the main cause of the conflict in the river basin and the influencing factor in the behavior of its social characteristics. It should be noted as a finding that the social component of the river basin is reflected as a complex active, organized and dynamic system in constant interaction and interrelation. With regard to the scope of the research, its perspective is to continue research in the demographic, social and cultural framework of the river basin.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
