The province is named after the Bolivian president José Miguel de Velasco Franco.

[2] Velasco is located between the major Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and the Brazilian border.

An unpaved highway connects the province with the city of Santa Cruz to the west and Brazil to the east.

[3] José Miguel de Velasco Province is divided into three municipalities which are further subdivided into cantons.

Due to the proximity of the province to Brazil, Portuguese speakers can be found, particularly merchants in the city of San Ignacio.