Panama Land

Panama is an isthmus connecting North and South America. It lies between Costa Rica on the west and Colombia on the east, and between the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. As the narrowest stretch of land standing between these two great bodies of water, Panama is of great strategic importance to many nations. As such, it attracted considerable controversy in the early 20th century during the construction of the Panama Canal, which spans 48 miles and bisects the country. Today, over 300 million tons of cargo pass through annually. International commerce aside, Panama’s 1540 miles of coastline are also strategic for those seeking beautiful beaches. The interior of this narrow country is dominated by mountains formed along the continental divide.

Panama is a tropical paradise, hot and humid year round. The Pacific coast tends to be cooler than the Caribbean and temperatures are notably cooler at higher elevations inland. The length of the rainy season varies, but it usually extends from April to December. This climate supports an abundance of flora and fauna, in habitats ranging from cloud forests at high elevation to rainforests and mangrove swamps closer to sea level. Panama is home to a host of tropical flowers including bromeliads and over 1000 species of orchid. Highlights of native wildlife include the giant anteater, the capybara, and several different monkey species. Among Panama’s more colorful residents are macaw parrots and toucans.