Share of 500 Francs of Panama Canal , issued November 20./29, 1880. Printed signature of Ferdinand de Lesseps , size: 140 mm x 178 mm.
Photo: Issued by Compagnie Universelle Canal Océanique de Panama ,…, Public domain · source
Did you know?
Before the arrival of Spanish colonists in the 16th century, Panama was inhabited by a number of different Indigenous peoples. It broke away from Spain in 1821 and joined the Republic of Gran Colombia, a union of Nueva Granada, Ecuador, and Venezuela. After Gran Colombia dissolved in 1831, Panama and Nueva Granada eventually became the Republic of Colombia. With the backing of the United States, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903, allowing the construction of the Panama Canal to be completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914.
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Bridge of the Americas: road bridge which spans the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Constructed between 1958-1963.
Photo: Youngiovani, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
This is a picture of the panamanian cultural heritage monument with the ID
Photo: David A, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Etymology
The exact origin of the name "Panama" remains uncertain, with several theories proposed.
Sterculia apetala (Panama tree): One theory suggests that the name derives from the Sterculia apetala tree, commonly known as the Panama tree, which is native to the region and holds national significance. This tree was declared the national tree of Panama by Cabinet Decree No. 371 on November 26, 1969.
Guna language "bannaba": A further hypothesis is that "Panama" is a Castilianization of the Guna word "bannaba," meaning "distant" or "far away."
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Yellowish Flycatcher -- Parque Internacional La Amistad, Panama -- 2008 January.
Photo: Mdf, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Green Violet-ear -- Finca Lerida, Boquete, Panama.
Photo: Mdf , Edited by Laitche, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Biomuseo, Panama City, stereo pair right
Photo: ArnoldReinhold, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
History
The Isthmus of Panama was formed about three million years ago when the land bridge between North and South America finally became complete, and plants and animals gradually crossed it in both directions. The existence of the isthmus affected the dispersal of people, agriculture and technology throughout the Americas from the appearance of the first hunters and collectors to the era of villages and cities.
The earliest discovered artifacts of indigenous peoples in Panama include Paleo-Indian projectile points.
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Atham 2024 flower
Photo: Tonynirappathu, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Panama, Darien, fillette habillée pour la danse
Photo: Yves Picq http://veton.picq.fr, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Geography
Panama is located in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. It mostly lies between latitudes 7° and 10°N, and longitudes 77° and 83°W (a small area lies west of 83°).
Its location on the Isthmus of Panama is strategic. By 1999, Panama controlled the Panama Canal which connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to the north of the Pacific Ocean. Panama's total area is 74,177.3 km2 (28,640.0 sq mi).
The dominant feature of Panama's geography is the central spine of mountains and hills that form the continental divide.
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Festival de Cometas. Ciudad del Saber, Panamá. 12 de marzo de 2013.
Photo: Ayaita, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Government and politics
Panama's politics take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Panama is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
National elections are universal for all citizens 18 years and older. National elections for the executive and legislative branches take place every five years.
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Economy
As of 2025 Panama had a GDP of 90.41 billion USD. This equated to 19,800 USD per capita. In 2025, Panama also had an unemployment rate of 8%, an increase from 2.7 percent in 2012. In more recent years, Panama's economy has experienced a boom, with growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) averaging over 10.4 percent in 2006–2008. Panama's economy was among the fastest growing and best managed in Latin America. The Latin Business Chronicle predicted that Panama would be the fastest growing economy in Latin America during the five-year period from 2010 to 2014. In 2025, Panama ranked as the second fastest-growing economy in Latin America.
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Demographics
In 2025, Panama had an estimated population of 4,600,000. This is an increase from 4,351,267 in 2021. The proportion of the population aged less than 15 in 2010 was 29 percent. 64.5 percent of the population was between 15 and 65, with 6.6 percent of the population 65 years or older.
More than half the population lives in the Panama City–Colón metropolitan corridor, which spans several cities. Panama's urban population exceeds 75 percent, making Panama's population the most urbanized in Central America.
These are the 10 largest Panamanian cities and towns. Most of Panama's largest cities are part of the Panama City Metropolitan Area.
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Culture
The culture of Panama derives from European music, art and traditions brought by the Spanish to Panama. Hegemonic forces have created hybrid forms blending African and Indigenous Panamanian culture with European culture. For example, the tamborito is a Spanish dance with African rhythms, themes and dance moves.
Dance is typical of the diverse cultures in Panama. The local folklore can be experienced at a multitude of festivals, through dances and traditions handed down from generation to generation. Local cities host live reggae en español, reggaeton, haitiano (compas), jazz, blues, salsa, reggae, and rock music performances.
Wikipedia: Panama – read more, CC BY-SA 4.0