The province has an estimated population of 151,489 (2017), half of whom live in the provincial capital, La Merced.

Both towns are on the west side of the province, surrounded by mountains and close to tourist attractions like jungle forests, waterfalls and thermal springs.

Downstream the Perené river, towards the east side of the province, the land becomes flatter and more suited for agriculture.

The town Bajo Pichanaqui has grown a lot in recent years as a local center of agricultural markets.

The first reported European presence in the area dates back to 1635, when Franciscan Fray Juan Jerónimo Jiménez founded the settlement of San Buena Ventura de Quimiri which was three kilometres (2 mi) away from present-day Chanchamayo.