Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America. The man-made Panama Canal cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district and the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park.
The southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. The Panama Canal bisects the isthmus at its narrowest and lowest point, allowing passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina. It is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area. Explored by Columbus in 1502 and by Balboa in 1513, Panama was the principal shipping point to and from South and Central America in colonial days. In 1821, when Central America revolted against Spain, Panama joined Colombia, which had already declared its independence. For the next 82 years, Panama attempted unsuccessfully to break away from Colombia. Between 1850 and 1900 Panama had 40 administrations, 50 riots, 5 attempted secession's, and 13 U.S. interventions. After a U.S. proposal for canal rights over the narrow isthmus was rejected by Colombia, Panama proclaimed its independence with U.S. backing in 1903.
Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.
The canal generates fully one-third of Panama's entire economy.
"A man a plan a canal panama" is a palindrome.
Panama was the first Latin American country to adopt the U.S. currency as its own.
The population of Panama in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 3,120,000, which placed it as number 129 in population among the 193 nations of the world, and the smallest population in Central America.
The cargo ship Ancon was the first vessel to transit the Canal on August 15, 1914.
The lowest toll paid was $0.36 and was paid by Richard Halliburton who crossed the Canal swimming in 1928.
Seven out of ten Panamanians haven't heard of the song "Panama" by Van Halen.
Panama Canal
Casco Viejo, Panama
Miraflores
Panamá Viejo
Bridge of the Americas
Biomuseo
Portobelo, Colón
Metropolitan Natural Park
Mi Pueblito
Estadio Nacional de Panamá
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