"Panama - the bridge between the Americas" Panama by Bernd_L

Panama Travel Guide: 1,953 reviews and 3,753 photos

Panama connects North- and South-America and is a narrow bridge between these two subcontinents. The country would just be another unimportant and forgotten banana-republic if there would not be that short distance from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean (only about 60 kilometers). This made it the perfect location for the worlds most important canal that shortcuts the way for ships tremendously. The distance between a harbour in Ecuador and Europe for example would be about 8.000 km longer if the ship has to go round Cape Horn on the southern tip of South-America.

Casco Viejo - Spanish style quarter in Panama-City

From its discovery by Rodrigo Galvan de Bastidas in 1501 until its independence in 1821 Panama had been a Spanish colony. The Spanish heritage is still existent. The official language is Spanish and the culture and the architecture of the old quarters are influenced by the Spanish history.

The first independence didn’t last very long however and Panama joined the Republic of Colombia. This connection hasn’t been free of conflicts and in 1903 Panama got its final independence with the help of the USA who had an interest in this country because they wanted the rights to build the canal. The area around the canal became territory of the USA so dividing Panama into two separated parts. This lasted until 1999 when Panama got this territory back and became the owner of the Panama-Canal.

Ship entering the Gatun Locks

Nowadays Panama has a growing economical importance. The biggest employer and the most important company is the Panama-Canal. But also a lot of banks settled down in Panama-City which is a major player in the financial world. Due to friendly tax-regulations Panamas merchant fleet is one of the biggest of the world, although most of the ships belong to foreign companies and have the flag of Panama only as a matter of form.

Tourism however is still no big deal although the country has to offer a lot. And this makes Panama a perfect destination for the individualists among the travellers who find an interesting tropical country without the negative aspects of mass tourism.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Interesting though almost unknown country
Cons:Rains a lot - I guess that's why they call it rainforest
In a nutshell:A lot more then only a world famous canal

Last visit to Panama: Jan 2005
Intro Updated Feb 10, 2005
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Reviews (13)

Passanger terminal at the port of Colon - Panama

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Comments (12)

balhannah Oct 3, 2009 at 3:32 PM Report Abuse

Hullo, featured member! A good, interesting page on Panama. Have wanted to visit for quite a while, still haven't got there.
vesna04 Jun 28, 2007 at 10:15 AM Report Abuse

beautiful pages on as beautiful destination.
Jim_Eliason Mar 8, 2007 at 4:48 AM Report Abuse

Nice page, but don't let too many people know about this untrampled destination or it will be overrun!
BluBluBlu Apr 26, 2006 at 1:10 AM Report Abuse

Nice pages...interesting to see theres more than just the canal! Blu
JessH Mar 13, 2006 at 10:40 PM Report Abuse

Hallo Bernd! Thanks for sharing all your great photos & insights to this unknown destination. It surely look worth visiting! (psst... don't tell too many others... we don't want all these tourist hoards showing up! LOL!)
alza Nov 24, 2005 at 6:53 PM Report Abuse

Thank you Bernd! I´m taking the Panama Canal Train tomorrow. Useful tips. Hope to see Bolivar statue at some point.
tessy Jul 22, 2005 at 2:27 PM Report Abuse

Panama - voller Kontraste! War sicher wahnsinnig interessant. Den Panamakanal wuerde ich auch gerne mal sehen.
Trekki May 5, 2005 at 10:26 AM Report Abuse

Was ein interessanter Kontrast zwischen Skyline und alten Kolonialbauten ! Tolle Seite !!!
Nemorino Mar 16, 2005 at 12:07 AM Report Abuse

Hi Bernd, you've made another very interesting page here. I'd like to ride the Panama Canal Railway some day, even if it is "not a bargain". Have a nice day, Don.
pepples46 Feb 18, 2005 at 10:14 AM Report Abuse

interesting indeed.....hier war ich auch noch nicht, danm !!