The territory of the current Valverde province was one of the first non-coastal regions explored by Europeans because it was located to the south of La Isabela, the first city founded on the island.

Close to it was the most accessible place to cross the Northern Cordillera, which was named by Christopher Columbus as the Port (or Pass) of Los Hidalgos.

Despite these early explorations the territory remained very sparsely inhabited during the colonial era, except for some isolated ranches where cattle roamed.

The population, and number of herds, increased slightly during the 17th century with people who had been evicted from Monte Cristi and Bayajá (the "Osorio Devastations") and who preferred to remain in this area, close to their places of origin.

Its location halfway between the border with the French colony of Saint-Domingue (later, the Republic of Haiti) and the city of Santiago de los Caballeros meant that French and Haitian troops had to cross the territory of the current province, at least in its northern part, when they went to fight in Santiago.

The soldiers of this land had the purpose of preventing enemy troops from crossing the northern part to attack and take the city of Santiago.

South of the city of Mao are the Sierra Samba (a chain of low hills) and part of the Cordillera Central mountain range.