Panama, the bottom country of Central America's seven (geographically) is among the most naturally diverse. It also has the most coastline, with vast expanses of Pacific and Caribbean beaches to its south and north, respectively. Following is some information about the country, and about travel in Panama.
Geography of Panama, Central America
The middle country in Central America by geographical size (with close to 30,000 square miles), Panama is southernmost, and pinned between Costa Rica and Colombia, South America. It has an expansive Pacific coast to the south, and a long Caribbean border to the north. Close to its center, the manmade Panama Canal allows ships to move between Atlantic and Pacific with minimized distance.
A land of mountains and rolling hills, Panama is heavily wooded by high elevation cloud forest (home to the remarkable Resplendent Quetzal) and lower elevation tropical rainforest. Some of the jungle has been cleared to make way for farmland, which provides for agriculture, a significant national industry. Volcanoes, abundant in Southern Central America, are prevalent in the mountainous areas of Panama.
Brief History of Panama
Originally inhabited by indigenous Americans, Panama found itself under Spanish rule in the 1500s. In 1821, it gained independence from Spain, and became part of a republic that included Northern South America, and later it was considered part of Colombia. In 1903, it broke free from Colombia, with U.S. support, in exchange for the United States permission to build a canal through the country. The original project, from 1904 to 1914, provided ships easier access between Atlantic and Pacific. The canal, first owned by the United States, is now Panama's, and the nation is working on expanding it to increase its capacity at present.
People of Panama, Central America's Southernmost Nation
Most of Panama's population (around 70%) is mestizo, of mixed Spanish and American Indian background. Much of the rest is white, American Indian, and black, the latter of whom are descendants of slaves brought over from Caribbean nations who were used to farm banana plantations.
The capital, Panama City, is home to about 1.2 million of the country's approximate 3.41 million residents. Overall, 73% of Panamanians live in urban areas. Although 15% of the labor force is employed by the agricultural sector (notably, in the farming of bananas, rice, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables, and livestock), only about 6% of Panama's GDP is attributable to its farming exports. Manufacturing and services account for most of the rest of its national profit.
Travel in Panama, Central America
Panama is a natural treat. Biodiversity is very high in the country, which has an exceptional number of different species of plants and animals. Tourists visiting the nation may enjoy hiking its jungles, wildlife watching, or taking in its magnificent culture in towns and villages. Both coasts are home to beautiful beaches, which attract beachgoers, divers, offshore fishermen, and more.
Panama is a beautiful country in Southern Central America that has amazing natural attractions and culture. People vacationing in the nation rarely come back disappointed.
Thomas Wyatt - Tom Wyatt grew up in Virginia. He has been interested in the outdoors (fishing, birding, camping, and other such activities) since he was ...
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