Facts About Panama We Bet You Didn't Know

Geography & Nature

• Panama is a narrow strip of land connecting North and South America, spanning less than 100 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific in several places.


• The northern coast is dotted with hundreds of small islands forming the Bocas del Toro and San Blas Archipelagos.


• Most of Panama’s population and economic activity are concentrated around the Panama Canal.


• Panama is home to more species of birds than all of North America and Canada combined.


• Its coasts and islands are protected by coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.


• The eastern Darien Province is a sparsely populated rainforest, rivers, and swampy lowlands bordered by high mountains.



 
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History & Culture

• Prehistoric inhabitants crossed Panama to trade and migrate between continents.


• Spain used Panama as a major commercial hub for its American colonies, shipping African slaves to Peru and tons of silver and gold back to Spain.


• Panama was frequently targeted by pirates such as Henry Morgan and Francis Drake.


• The first city in the New World, Santa María la Antigua de Darién, was founded in Panama.


• Archaeological excavations show human presence in Panama dating back to 300 BC.


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The Panama Canal

• The Panama Canal took almost 10 years to build with over 75,000 workers and nearly $400 million.


• It opened on August 15, 1914, and today operates 24/7 with more than 9,000 employees.


• Gatun Lake, part of the canal, was once the largest man-made lake in the world, flooding 262 square kilometers of forest, villages, and old railroads.

Landmarks & Parks

• Panama has 15 national parks, including five forest preserves.


• Over 1,500 islands are within Panama’s territorial waters (1,000+ in the Caribbean, nearly 500 in the Pacific).


• More than 500 rivers run through the country.


• Dominated by volcanic mountains, Panama’s terrain stretches from Costa Rica to Colombia.


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