The district seat is the town of Llano del Catival, also known simply as Mariato.

Geographically, the district totaling 1,381 km2 (533 sq mi) comprises the west-facing coast of the Azuero peninsula fronting the Gulf of Montijo.

It shares the peninsula with Los Santos and Herrera Province, separated by a crest of low mountains, the Macizo de Azuero.

[2] Punta Mariato at the southern tip of the district also holds the title as the southernmost point of North America.

[citation needed] Mariato is thinly populated with only 5,564 residents (2019 official estimate),[3] dispersed over 149 settlements.