Places / North & Central America
Panama
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Central America
- Capital
- Panama City
- Population
- 4.5 million (2024)
- Area
- 75,417 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Panamanian balboa (PAB), United States dollar (USD)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +507
Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Panama is a transcontinental country in Central America and South America.
The country recorded a population of 4.177 million in 2018 and 75,517 km2.
Its capital and largest city is Panama City located in the east-central region of the country.
Other urban centres are Colon City, David, La Chorrera, Santiago and Changuinola.
Since 1914 the 51-mile- (82-km-) long canal, above, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has afforded a long-sought shortcut for shipping and assures the country’s standing as one of the most strategic transportation hubs of the world.
History
It became a Spanish vive-royalty of New Andalucia in 1519.
The country later got its independence from Spain in 1821 and it joined the confederation of Gran Colombia. After the collapse of the confederation in 1830, the country became fully independent.
It, however, gained full independent from Colombia in 1903.
Food & culture
The country’s culture is a mixture of African, American, Indian and Spanish cultures.
The main crops grown here are coffee, bananas, cocoa beans, coconuts, rice, soybeans, potatoes and sugar cane.
The most popular dishes are ceviche, patacones, sancocho and temales.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals are jaguarondi, margays, green iguanas, tapirs, monkey species, ocelots, pumas and anteaters.
Festivals & events
The most common events held in the country are Carnivals, Panama Jazz Festival, Pollera Festivals, Boquete Coffee and Flower Festival and, Feria del Mar.
Things to see
San Blas Islands is an archipelago that is composed of around 365 islands and cays and 49 of them are inhabited.
Panama Viejo is the remaining section of the original Panama City which was the former capital city.
Soberania National Park is located at the banks of the Panama Canal with a variety of wildlife species.
Other must visit places are Miraflores Locks, Taboga Island and Volcan Baru.
Interesting facts
The country has a beautiful scene of the sun rising at the Pacific Ocean and setting on the Atlantic Ocean.
It was the first Latin American country that adopted the US currency as its own.
It was the first country where coca-cola was sold, outside the US.
Cities & towns I’ve visited
Neighbours
My Bucket List goals in Panama
None on the list yet. Got a suggestion? Email Dan.