Geography of Panama. Nature and national parks of Panama

CLIMATE, WEATHER

Panama is an S-shaped isthmus that provides a land connection between North and South America. Panama covers an area of ​​77,082 km2.
Panama has tropical climate, but at an altitude of 700 to 1500 meters above sea level the climate becomes temperate. There are two seasons: a rainy “winter” from May to December, when humidity is 90-100%, and a drier “summer” from January to April, when the north-east trade winds arrive. The average temperature in Panama is +29°C on the coast and +18°C in the highlands. The rainy season lasts from May to November, but it rarely rains all day. The Caribbean coast and mountain slopes receive up to 360 cm of precipitation throughout the year, and the Pacific coast - up to 230 cm.
You can enjoy surfing in Panama all year round, But best months- from November to April. The dry season (December to April) is most convenient for hiking. The dry season is also good for diving because visibility underwater will be much better. But the rainy season is great for rafting. Find out about weather conditions in Panama you can see our monthly weather calendar.

Weather in Panama in January

January is the coldest month in Panama. average temperature air masses during the day it is +29°С, and at night +24°С. In 1-3 rainy days, up to 60 mm of precipitation falls. The sea water temperature during January stays at +26°C.

Weather in Panama in February


During the day the air warms up to +30°C, and at night it cools down to +25°C. In February, 2-3 rainy days are expected on the Caribbean coast of Panama, bringing 40 mm of precipitation. No precipitation is expected on the country's Pacific coast. The water temperature in the Caribbean Sea is +27°C, and in the Pacific Ocean +25°C.

Weather in Panama in March

In the first month of spring, the air warms up to an average of +30°C during the day, dropping to +25°C at night. The water on the Caribbean coast is +27°C, on the Pacific coast +25°C. On the island of Bocas del Toro, which is located in the waters of the Caribbean Sea, 5 rainy days and 70 mm of precipitation are expected in March. In the rest of the country, in 1-2 stormy days the precipitation level will reach 30-45 mm.

Weather in Panama in April

An increase in rainfall indicates the approach of the rainy season. 110-180 mm of precipitation falls in 9-12 days. During the day the air warms up to +31°C, at night it cools down to +26°C. Over the course of a month, the water off the coast warms up to +26°С…+28°С.

Weather in Panama in May

In May, the rainy season begins in Panama. The weather is hot and humid: during the day up to +31°C, at night not lower than +26°C. In the south, 345 mm of precipitation falls in 21 stormy days, and in the north - up to 210 mm. The water temperature off the coast reaches +28°C.

Weather in Panama in June

Average air temperatures in the country range from +31°C during the day to +26°C at night. The sea water temperature is +28°C. The level of precipitation from north to south fluctuates around 145-285 mm, which falls over 11-18 stormy days.

Weather in Panama in July

In July the rains are heavier and more frequent, but they are short-lived. This month, up to 370 mm of precipitation falls in 20-24 rainy days. The average daily temperature during the day stays at +30°C, dropping to +26°C at night. The water in the sea and ocean is stably warmed up to +28°C.

Weather in Panama in August

In August, during the day the air warms up to +30°C, cooling at night to +25°C. It rains for about 20 days, bringing up to 390 mm of precipitation in the south and 150 mm in the north. The water on the coasts is still not lower than +28°C.

Weather in Panama in September

In September, the air warms up to +31°C during the day, and at night the temperature does not drop below +25°C. In 18-23 rainy days, up to 110 mm of precipitation falls in the north and 310 mm in the south. The water temperature resembles new milk: +29°С.

Weather in Panama in October

Average daily temperatures in October range from +31°C during the day to +25°C at night. The water temperature on the coast reaches +29°C. During the month, 10 rainy days are expected on the Caribbean coast of Panama, bringing 110 mm of precipitation. On the Pacific coast of the country, 315 mm of precipitation falls in 22 stormy days.

Weather in Panama in November

This month in Panama, the average daytime temperature does not fall below +30°C, and the night temperature does not fall below +25°C. In 14-19 rainy days, up to 250 mm of precipitation falls in Panama. The water in November warms up to +28°C.

Weather in Panama in December

In December in Panama, the thermometer rises to +29°C during the day and drops to +25°C at night. The water in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean is warmed up to +28°C. In December, the rainy season ends, with precipitation falling up to 155 mm. Showers are still short and fall every other day.

Mayor

Juan Carlos Varela

Based Square Center height Climate type Official language Population Agglomeration Timezone Official site

(Spanish)

K: Settlements founded in 1519

Transport

The city also has an airport named after. Marcos Gelabert Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Marcos A. Gelabert; IATA: PAC, ICAO: MPMG), also known as Albrook Airport, for intra-Panamanian flights. It is located near the city center, on the territory former Zone Panama Canal.

Since 2014, Panama Pacifico International Airport, created on the site of a former American military airbase, has been used for passenger flights.

Panama's passenger port handles many cruise ships passing through the Canal each year.

Municipal bus services are operated by MiBus. To ensure traffic safety, all buses are personally blessed by the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Huyoa.

Residents also widely use taxis. A trip around the city typically costs less than $3, and to and from the airport costs $30.

In December 2010, construction of the light metro began. The project, which is being implemented by a consortium of Mexican, Brazilian, Spanish, Italian and Japanese companies, required investments of $1.8 billion. The opening of the first line (14 kilometers, 13 stations) took place on April 5, 2014. This is the first metro in Central America, the commissioning of which will allow the capital to significantly relieve ground transport, which cannot cope with the flow of passengers. During peak hours, the city of 1.3 million people experiences constant traffic jams.

Images

View of Panama from Cerro Ancon hill

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View from the university

Gateway west of Casco Viejo, Panama City.jpg

Caso Viejo

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View of the city from the old harbor

A causeway connecting the islands of Naos, Perico and Flamengo to the mainland.

DirkvdM panama plaza.jpg

Square in Casco Viejo

DirkvdM panama pelicans.jpg

View of the lower city from the yacht club

DirkvdM casco viejo.jpg

Casco Viejo

DirkvdM panama bridge.jpg

Bridge of the Americas over the Panama Canal.

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Notes

Literature

• Mellander, Gustavo A. (1971) The United States in Panamanian Politics: The Intriguing Formative Years. Danville, Ill.: Interstate Publishers, OCLC 138568
• Mellander, Gustavo A.; Nelly Maldonado Mellander (1999). Charles Edward Magoon: The Panama Years. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial Plaza Mayor. ISBN 1-56328-155-4. OCLC 42970390.

Links

An excerpt characterizing Panama (city)

The outhouse adjutant Wolzogen, the same one who, driving past Prince Andrei, said that the war must be im Raum verlegon [transferred into space (German)], and whom Bagration hated so much, drove up to Kutuzov during lunch. Wolzogen arrived from Barclay with a report on the progress of affairs on the left flank. The prudent Barclay de Tolly, seeing the crowds of wounded running away and the upset backsides of the army, having weighed all the circumstances of the case, decided that the battle was lost, and with this news he sent his favorite to the commander-in-chief.
Kutuzov had difficulty chewing fried chicken and looked at Wolzogen with narrowed, cheerful eyes.
Wolzogen, casually stretching his legs, with a half-contemptuous smile on his lips, approached Kutuzov, lightly touching the visor with his hand.
Wolzogen treated His Serene Highness with a certain affected carelessness, intended to show that he, as a highly educated military man, was allowing the Russians to make an idol out of this old, useless man, and he himself knew with whom he was dealing. “Der alte Herr (as the Germans called Kutuzov in their circle) macht sich ganz bequem, [The old gentleman settled down calmly (German)] - thought Wolzogen and, looking sternly at the plates standing in front of Kutuzov, began to report to the old gentleman the state of affairs on the left flank as Barclay ordered him and as he himself saw and understood it.
- All points of our position are in the hands of the enemy and there is nothing to recapture, because there are no troops; “They are running, and there is no way to stop them,” he reported.
Kutuzov, stopping to chew, stared at Wolzogen in surprise, as if not understanding what was being said to him. Wolzogen, noticing the excitement of des alten Herrn, [the old gentleman (German)] said with a smile:
– I did not consider myself entitled to hide from your lordship what I saw... The troops are in complete disorder...
- Have you seen? Did you see?.. – Kutuzov shouted, frowning, quickly getting up and advancing on Wolzogen. “How do you... how dare you!..”, he shouted, making threatening gestures with shaking hands and choking. - How can you wash it away? your Majesty, say it to me. You don't know anything. Tell General Barclay from me that his information is incorrect and that the real course of the battle is known to me, the commander-in-chief, better than to him.
Wolzogen wanted to object, but Kutuzov interrupted him.
- The enemy is repulsed on the left and defeated on the right flank. If you have not seen well, dear sir, then do not allow yourself to say what you do not know. Please go to General Barclay and convey to him the next day my absolute intention to attack the enemy,” Kutuzov said sternly. Everyone was silent, and all that could be heard was the heavy breathing of the out of breath old general. “They were repulsed everywhere, for which I thank God and our brave army.” The enemy is defeated, and tomorrow we will drive him out of the sacred Russian land,” said Kutuzov, crossing himself; and suddenly sobbed from the tears that came. Wolzogen, shrugging his shoulders and pursing his lips, silently walked away to the side, wondering uber diese Eingenommenheit des alten Herrn. [at this tyranny of the old gentleman. (German) ]
“Yes, here he is, my hero,” Kutuzov said to the plump, handsome, black-haired general, who was entering the mound at that time. It was Raevsky, who spent the whole day at the main point of the Borodino field.
Raevsky reported that the troops were firmly in their places and that the French did not dare to attack anymore. After listening to him, Kutuzov said in French:
– Vous ne pensez donc pas comme lesautres que nous sommes obliges de nous retirer? [You don't think, then, like others, that we should retreat?]
“Au contraire, votre altesse, dans les affaires indecises c"est loujours le plus opiniatre qui reste victorieux,” answered Raevsky, “et mon opinion... [On the contrary, your lordship, in indecisive matters the winner is the one who is more stubborn, and my opinion …]
- Kaisarov! – Kutuzov shouted to his adjutant. - Sit down and write an order for tomorrow. “And you,” he turned to the other, “go along the line and announce that tomorrow we will attack.”
While the conversation was going on with Raevsky and the order was being dictated, Wolzogen returned from Barclay and reported that General Barclay de Tolly would like to have written confirmation of the order that the field marshal gave.
Kutuzov, without looking at Wolzogen, ordered this order to be written, which the former commander-in-chief, very thoroughly, in order to avoid personal responsibility, wanted to have.
And through an indefinable, mysterious connection that maintains the same mood throughout the entire army, called the spirit of the army and constituting the main nerve of the war, Kutuzov’s words, his order for battle for the next day, were transmitted simultaneously to all ends of the army.
It was not the very words, not the very order that was transmitted in the last chain of this connection. There was not even anything similar in those stories that were passed on to each other at different ends of the army to what Kutuzov said; but the meaning of his words was communicated everywhere, because what Kutuzov said stemmed not from cunning considerations, but from a feeling that lay in the soul of the commander-in-chief, as well as in the soul of every Russian person.
And having learned that tomorrow we will attack the enemy, from higher spheres armies hearing confirmation of what they wanted to believe, the exhausted, wavering people were consoled and encouraged.

Prince Andrei's regiment was in reserves, which until the second hour stood behind Semenovsky inactive, under heavy artillery fire. In the second hour, the regiment, which had already lost more than two hundred people, was moved forward to a trampled oat field, to that gap between Semenovsky and the Kurgan battery, where thousands of people were killed that day and on which, in the second hour of the day, intensely concentrated fire was directed from several hundred enemy guns.
Without leaving this place and without firing a single charge, the regiment lost another third of its people here. In front, and especially on the right side, in the lingering smoke, guns boomed and from a mysterious area of ​​smoke that covered the entire area ahead, cannonballs and slowly whistling grenades flew out, incessantly, with a hissing rapid whistle. Sometimes, as if giving rest, a quarter of an hour passed, during which all the cannonballs and grenades flew over, but sometimes within a minute several people were torn out of the regiment, and the dead were constantly dragged away and the wounded were carried away.
With each new blow, fewer and fewer chances of life remained for those who had not yet been killed. The regiment stood in battalion columns at a distance of three hundred paces, but despite this, all the people of the regiment were under the influence of the same mood. All the people of the regiment were equally silent and gloomy. Rarely was a conversation heard between the rows, but this conversation fell silent every time a blow was heard and a cry: “Stretcher!” Most of the time, the people of the regiment, by order of their superiors, sat on the ground. Some, having taken off their shako, carefully unraveled and reassembled the assemblies; who used dry clay, spreading it in his palms, and polished his bayonet; who kneaded the belt and tightened the buckle of the sling; who carefully straightened and refolded the hems and changed his shoes. Some built houses from Kalmyk arable land or wove wickerwork from stubble straw. Everyone seemed quite immersed in these activities. When people were wounded and killed, when the stretchers were being pulled, when our people were returning, when large masses of enemies were visible through the smoke, no one paid any attention to these circumstances. When the artillery and cavalry passed forward, the movements of our infantry were visible, approving remarks were heard from all sides. But the events that deserved the most attention were completely extraneous events that had nothing to do with the battle. It was as if the attention of these morally tormented people rested on these ordinary, everyday events. An artillery battery passed in front of the regiment's front. In one of the artillery boxes, the tie-down line came into place. “Hey, the tie-down!.. Straighten it! It will fall... Eh, they can’t see it!.. - they shouted from the ranks equally throughout the entire regiment. Another time, everyone’s attention was drawn to a small brown dog with a firmly raised tail, which, God knows where it came from, ran out in front of the ranks at an anxious trot and suddenly squealed from a cannonball striking close and, with its tail between its legs, rushed to the side. Cackling and squeals were heard throughout the regiment. But this kind of entertainment lasted for minutes, and people had been standing for more than eight hours without food and without anything to do under the persistent horror of death, and their pale and frowning faces became increasingly pale and frowning.
Prince Andrei, just like all the people of the regiment, frowning and pale, walked back and forth across the meadow near the oat field from one boundary to another, with his hands behind him and his head down. There was nothing for him to do or order. Everything happened by itself. The dead were dragged behind the front, the wounded were carried, the ranks closed. If the soldiers ran away, they immediately returned hastily. At first, Prince Andrei, considering it his duty to arouse the courage of the soldiers and show them an example, walked along the ranks; but then he became convinced that he had nothing and nothing to teach them. All the strength of his soul, just like that of every soldier, was unconsciously directed to restrain himself from contemplating the horror of the situation in which they were. He walked through the meadow, dragging his feet, scratching the grass and observing the dust that covered his boots; either he walked with long strides, trying to follow the tracks left by the mowers across the meadow, then he, counting his steps, made calculations on how many times he must walk from boundary to boundary to make a mile, then he purged the wormwood flowers growing on the boundary, and I rubbed these flowers in my palms and sniffed the fragrant, bitter, strong smell. From all yesterday's work of thought there was nothing left. He didn't think about anything. He listened with tired ears to the same sounds, distinguishing the whistling of flights from the roar of shots, looked at the closer faces of the people of the 1st battalion and waited. “Here she is... this one is coming to us again! - he thought, listening to the approaching whistle of something from the closed area of ​​​​smoke. - One, another! More! Got it... He stopped and looked at the rows. “No, it was postponed. But this one hit.” And he began to walk again, trying to take long steps in order to reach the boundary in sixteen steps.
Whistle and blow! Five steps away from him, the dry ground exploded and the cannonball disappeared. An involuntary chill ran down his spine. He looked again at the rows. A lot of people probably vomited; a large crowd gathered at the 2nd battalion.
“Mr. Adjutant,” he shouted, “order that there is no crowd.” - The adjutant, having carried out the order, approached Prince Andrei. From the other side, the battalion commander rode up on horseback.
- Be careful! - a frightened cry of a soldier was heard, and, like a bird whistling in rapid flight, crouching on the ground, two steps from Prince Andrei, next to the battalion commander’s horse, a grenade quietly plopped down. The horse was the first, without asking whether it was good or bad to express fear, snorted, reared up, almost toppling the major, and galloped away to the side. The horror of the horse was communicated to people.
- Get down! - shouted the voice of the adjutant, who lay down on the ground. Prince Andrei stood indecisive. The grenade, like a top, smoking, spun between him and the lying adjutant, on the edge of the arable land and meadow, near a wormwood bush.
“Is this really death? - thought Prince Andrey, looking with a completely new, envious gaze at the grass, at the wormwood and at the stream of smoke curling from the spinning black ball. “I can’t, I don’t want to die, I love life, I love this grass, earth, air...” He thought this and at the same time remembered that they were looking at him.
- Shame on you, Mr. Officer! - he told the adjutant. “What...” he didn’t finish. At the same time, an explosion was heard, the whistling of fragments as if of a broken frame, the stuffy smell of gunpowder - and Prince Andrei rushed to the side and, raising his hand up, fell on his chest.
Several officers ran up to him. On the right side of the abdomen there was a large stain of blood spreading across the grass.
The militiamen with stretchers were called and stopped behind the officers. Prince Andrei lay on his chest, with his face down on the grass, and breathed heavily, snoring.
- Well, come on now!
The men came up and took him by the shoulders and legs, but he moaned pitifully, and the men, after exchanging glances, let him go again.
- Take it, put it down, it’s all the same! – someone’s voice shouted. Another time they took him by the shoulders and put him on a stretcher.
- Oh my god! My God! What is this?.. Belly! This is the end! Oh my god! – voices were heard between the officers. “It buzzed just past my ear,” said the adjutant. The men, having adjusted the stretcher on their shoulders, hastily set off along the path they had trodden to the dressing station.
- Keep up... Eh!.. man! - the officer shouted, stopping the men walking unevenly and shaking the stretcher by their shoulders.
“Make adjustments, or something, Khvedor, Khvedor,” said the man in front.
“That’s it, it’s important,” the one behind him said joyfully, hitting him in the leg.
- Your Excellency? A? Prince? – Timokhin ran up and said in a trembling voice, looking into the stretcher.
Prince Andrei opened his eyes and looked from behind the stretcher, into which his head was deeply buried, at the one who was speaking, and again lowered his eyelids.
The militia brought Prince Andrei to the forest where the trucks were parked and where there was a dressing station. The dressing station consisted of three tents spread out with folded floors on the edge of a birch forest. There were wagons and horses in the birch forest. The horses in the ridges were eating oats, and sparrows flew to them and picked up the spilled grains. The crows, sensing blood, cawing impatiently, flew over the birch trees. Around the tents, with more than two acres of space, lay, sat, and stood bloodied people in various clothes. Around the wounded, with sad and attentive faces, stood crowds of soldier porters, whom the officers in charge of order vainly drove away from this place. Without listening to the officers, the soldiers stood leaning on the stretcher and looked intently, as if trying to understand the difficult meaning of the spectacle, at what was happening in front of them. Loud, angry screams and pitiful groans were heard from the tents. Occasionally a paramedic would run out to fetch water and point out those who needed to be brought in. The wounded, waiting for their turn at the tent, wheezed, moaned, cried, screamed, cursed, and asked for vodka. Some were delirious. Prince Andrei, as a regimental commander, walking through the unbandaged wounded, was carried closer to one of the tents and stopped, awaiting orders. Prince Andrei opened his eyes and for a long time could not understand what was happening around him. The meadow, wormwood, arable land, the black spinning ball and his passionate outburst of love for life came back to him. Two steps away from him, speaking loudly and drawing everyone's attention to himself, stood, leaning on a branch and with his head tied, a tall, handsome, black-haired non-commissioned officer. He was wounded in the head and leg by bullets. A crowd of wounded and bearers gathered around him, eagerly listening to his speech.
“We just fucked him up, he abandoned everything, they took the king himself!” – the soldier shouted, his black, hot eyes shining and looking around him. - If only the Lezers had come that very time, he wouldn’t have had the title, my brother, so I’m telling you the truth...
Prince Andrei, like everyone around the narrator, looked at him with a brilliant gaze and felt a comforting feeling. “But doesn’t it matter now,” he thought. - What will happen there and what happened here? Why was I so sorry to part with my life? There was something in this life that I didn’t understand and don’t understand.”

The capital and the most Big city Panama - Panama (or Panama City, as it is often called, so as not to be confused with the name of the country) is located on the coast of the Gulf of Panama of the Pacific Ocean, in the center of the country and the Isthmus of Panama, through which the Panama multi-lock, double-thread canal passes (length 81.6 km , height difference 26 meters), built by the Americans (officially put into operation in 1920). The offshore zone attracts large capital to the country. After the signing of an agreement with the United States on the transfer of the canal and adjacent lands to the full jurisdiction of Panama, the city changed greatly in better side: boulevards with fountains and ultra-modern skyscrapers are being completed; Low-income residents are also not forgotten, who are planned to be relocated from slums to specially built settlements.
The panorama of the city represents high-rise buildings of business districts surrounded by colorful buildings in the architectural style of the Casco Viejo (Spanish “old”) and Casco Antiguo (Spanish “ancient”) quarters, and some of the streets of the old center with slum houses are still visited by visitors It's better not to look. Tropical forests approach the outskirts of the city on all sides. 8 rivers flow through the city. This zone is part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire; even the most popular tourist resort, 20 km from the capital, in Panama Bay, is located on the volcanic island of Taboga. However, the dangerous neighborhood does not bother local residents and tourists much, since there are no active volcanoes in the area.
The climate of the Isthmus of Panama is represented by two zones: Panama City and the entire slope facing the Gulf of Panama is typical savannas, subequatorial climate: dry and hot period lasts from January to March, wet season rains - from April to December-January. And on the slope facing there are evergreen tropical forests. The fauna of the surrounding areas is rich and diverse. Puma, ocelot and other felines, deer, monkeys, peccaries, anteaters, sloths, armadillos and kinkajous are found here. Reptiles include crocodiles, alligators, and snakes. In addition to North American migratory birds, several species of parrots, including macaws; there are herons and toucans.

City `s history

In the language of the Indians of the local Cueva tribe, the word “Panama” meant “a place where there are a lot of fish”, or in the language of the Caribs - “a place where there are a lot of butterflies”, or the name of the tree of the same name. The Indians lived here in a tiny village until the arrival of the Spaniards, who discovered the isthmus in 1501 and began colonization in 1509. In 1519, the Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Davilla (c. 1440-1531). laid out the city, which inherited the Indian name of the place. The cuevas themselves were exterminated or died from diseases brought from Europe. A century later, slaves from Africa began to be imported here to work on banana plantations and gold mines.
The city of Panama became the administrative and religious center, as well as the starting point of all the large expeditions heading to conquer the Peruvian Inca Empire. In the 16th century from Panama to Portobelo there was a stone-paved road that connected the Pacific and Atlantic coast. This was the most important point on the main route for exporting Indian gold from the long Andes by mules to cities on the Caribbean coast, and from there by ship to Spain.
Gold became the wealth and main misfortune of Panama, as pirates became interested in it. In 1595, pirate Francis Drake (c. 1540-1596) unsuccessfully attempted to cross the Isthmus of Panama and capture Panama. But on January 21, 1673, the city was completely destroyed and burned after it was captured and plundered by another famous pirate, Henry Morgan (1635-1688). The destruction was so great that the city was rebuilt in 1674 in another place, at a distance of 8 km from the previous one. The ruins of the old city have survived to this day and become famous tourist site, called Panama Viejo, Old Panama.
As the Spanish Empire weakened, Panama fell into decline. In 1821, Panama freed itself from Spanish rule and became part of Colombia. In 1855 the Panama Railroad was built. November 3, 1903 - proclamation of the independent Republic of Panama, however, according to the American-Panamanian treaties of 1903, 1936, 1955, the 16.1 km wide zone of the Isthmus of Panama belonged to the United States. And the city itself, whose business went up sharply with the start of construction of the Panama Canal in 1904-1914. (officially opened in 1920), for a long time was under complete US control. During World War II, the Panama Canal Zone became the largest US military base in Central America. The Americans denied Panamanians access to many areas of the Panama Canal near the city until the late 1960s.
It was only in 1977 that the canal and its zone were recognized as part of the territory of Panama.
Currently, Panama is the economic and cultural center of the country.
The main attraction of the city of Panama is the Bridge of the Two Americas. This is one of two bridges connecting the two American continents.

Population

Chanam residents call the city's residents "capitalinos", or "capital residents", thereby emphasizing their special position in the country. "Capitalinos", constituting about 40% of the total population of the Republic of Panama, are considered wealthy segments of society. The composition of the “capitalinos” is represented mostly by Afro-Panamanians, mestizos and mulattoes. There are practically no indigenous inhabitants - Indians - left in the city.
Ecological situation leaves much to be desired: the coastal waters within the city are polluted and swimming there is prohibited. One of the most popular places is the beaches of Playa Bonita, which can be reached by crossing the Bridge of Two Americas (Puente de las Americas) highway built in 1962. The bridge once played a major role in the city's economy.
Today, the city's economy depends not so much on the Panama Canal, but on its convenient geographical location, developed infrastructure and banking sector. Panama City has become a major international financial center and one of the most competitive cities Latin America. Tourism brings significant income.
Panama is one of the oldest cities and one of the few capitals of Central America where landmarks from the times of Spanish colonization have been preserved, including several squares and a cathedral from the early 16th century. and the Church of San Francisco.
Over several centuries of colonial rule, the Spaniards brought more and more new architectural styles to Panama, so in the Casco Antiguo area there are more than eight hundred original buildings, similar in design appearance and the interior is inspired by ancient European ones. In the Casco Viejo area, one of the most important architectural attractions is the Castle of Las Bovedas, in a romantic and secluded location on the coast. The fact that Panama is also the religious center of the country is emphasized by the main religious building of the city - the Metropolitan Cathedral (construction in 1688-1796) on Cathedral Square. In 1997, Old Panama (Panama Viejo) and the historic center of new Panama were listed World Heritage UNESCO.
Modern buildings: Palace of Justice, Presidential Palace, Palace national assembly and the El Panama Hotel are known to the architectural community around the world for their original designs.
In 1985, the Metropolitano Natural Park was opened.
People from all over Latin America come to study at the National University of Panama and the University of Santa Maria la Antigua, in numerous schools of dance, music and dramatic art. By the number of museums, libraries and research institutes the city of Panama leads in Latin America. The pride of all capitalinos is the recently restored National Theater, located in one of the oldest buildings in the city.
In 2003, Panama was recognized as the Cultural Capital of the Americas.
The conveniences of life in Panama are appreciated primarily by retirees: thanks to fairly low prices and a high standard of living, Panama is consistently ranked among the top five places where you can spend the rest of your life in relative comfort.

general information

The capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama, the economic and cultural center of the country.

The administrative center of Panama County and the province of Panama.
Founded: 1519

Administrative division: 23 districts in Panama County.
Urban agglomeration: the cities of Panama, Araijan, La Horrera and San Miguelito.

Ethnic composition: mestizos (majority), Afro-Panamanians, mulattoes, Sambos, whites, Indians.

Languages: Spanish (state), English, French.

Religions: Catholics (majority), Protestants.

Currency: Balboa, US dollar.

Largest rivers: Curundu, Matasnillo.
Major airports: international airports Tocumen and Marcoe A. Gelabert.

Numbers

Area: city - 275 km 2.

Population: 880,691 people (2010).

Population density: 3202.5 people/km 2 .

Highest point: Ancon hill (199 m).

Climate and weather

Subequatorial humid.

The wet season is May-December, the dry season is January-April.
Average annual temperature:+26 - +27°С.

Average annual precipitation: 1700-1900 mm.

Relative humidity: 70-80%.

Economy

Industry: light (textile, leather and footwear), manufacturing, metallurgical, food, oil refining and chemical, port industry.

Fishing (two canneries operate; shrimp, lobsters, herring, anchovies are exported).
Services: transport (the largest transport hub), financial (banking), trade, tourism.

Folk crafts(souvenirs).

Attractions

■ Panama Canal (construction in 1904-1914, official opening in 1920);
■ Natural:
■ Taboga Island;
■ Pearl Islands;
■ Parks: Natural Metropolitano Park, Municipal Park, Botanical Garden and Zoo, Omar Torrijos Park;
■ National parks: Panama National Park, Camino de Cruces National Park, Soberania National Park;
■ Aquarium Centro de Exibisones Marinas;

■ Old Panama (Panama Viejo), burned by pirates in 1671: ruins of a 17th-century cathedral, monasteries, warehouses, bridges.
■ Religious buildings: Church of Iglesia de la Merced, Catholic Cathedral of Panama (early 16th century), Church of San Francisco, Church of Santo Domingo, Church of La Compaña de Jesus, Church of La Concepcion;
■ Avenida Central (the main street of Panama City);
■ Skyscraper Trump Ocean Club (2010);
■ Beaches of Playa Bonita;

■ Puente de las Americas (Bridge of the Two Americas) (1962);
■ Districts of Casco Antiguo (colonial-era buildings), Casco Viejo (Las Bovedas Castle);
■ Cathedral Square; Palace of Justice;
■ Presidential Palace Palacio de las Garzas;
■ Palace of the National Assembly.
■ Municipal Palace of Panama.
■ Universities: National University Panama, University of Santa Maria la Antigua;
■ National Theater of Panama;
■ Museums: Museum of the History of Panama, Anthropological Museum, Museum of Religious Art of the Colonial Era, AfroAntillean Museum of Panama, Panama Canal Museum, Jewelry Museum;
■ House of Gongora.
■ Monuments to Simon Bolivar, Miguel de Cervantes, Christopher Columbus and others.
■ Along the coast there are fashionable residential areas.

Curious facts

In 1671, the pirate Henry Morgan led an expedition to plunder the city; the pirate squadron included 36 ships (28 English and 8 French) and 32 canoes. Before the start of the raid on Panama, the pirate Henry Morgan assigned himself the title of admiral, raised the Royal English flag on his flagship and took the oath. Prior to this, he received from the governor of the island of Jamaica patents for piracy activities that could cause damage to the Spaniards “on land and sea, since they are the avowed enemies of His Majesty the King of England.” Approaching the Isthmus of Panama from the Caribbean Sea, the pirates landed on the shore and crossed the isthmus in 9 days, approaching the city of Panama. 1,200 pirates were opposed by a Spanish garrison of 3,600 soldiers and horsemen. The battle lasted two hours, and by the evening of the tenth day the city was captured by pirates. All those resisting were exterminated, the city and the surrounding area were plundered and burned on Morgan's personal orders. Significant amounts of gold, silver, precious stones, as well as prisoners for sale into slavery. The day before the division of the loot, Morgan disappeared with most of it.

One of the most significant treasures of the city of Panama is the Golden Altar in the Church of San Jose, made of mahogany covered with gold leaf in the Baroque style. During a pirate attack on the city in 1671, the altar was hidden, and in 1677 it was moved to the new Church of San José, built in the newly founded city.

In the business center of Panama City is the tallest building in Latin America - Trump Ocean Club, opened in July 2011. American billionaire Donald Trump. The height of the 70-story building is 284 m.

A huge fleet of merchant ships, the overwhelming majority of which are foreign (fifth largest in the world), is registered under the Panamanian flag of convenience.

brief information

Most of us know Panama because of the Panama Canal, through which huge ocean-going ships pass. Not many tourists can boast of having visited this small but amazing Central American country. Along the Panamanian coast there are still Spanish medieval fortresses, probably awaiting the arrival of the ships of the pirates Henry Morgan and Francis Drake. The local white sandy beaches are washed by clear and very warm water.

Geography of Panama

Panama is located in Central America, on the isthmus connecting North and South America. Panama borders Costa Rica in the west and Colombia in the southeast. In the north the country is washed Caribbean Sea, and in the south - the Pacific Ocean. Total area – 75,517 sq. km., and the total length state border– 555 km.

Most of Panama's territory is occupied by highlands and mountain ranges, only not very wide plains stretch along the coast. The highest local peak is the Baru volcano, whose height reaches 3,375 meters. Note that Baru is still called a volcano, although it has been inactive for several millennia.

Capital

Panama City is the capital of the state of Panama. More than 1.2 million people now live in this city.

Official language

There's one in Panama official language– Spanish.

Religion

About 80% of the population are Catholics, and 15% are Protestants.

Government of Panama

According to the current Constitution, Panama is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, who also acts as head of government (he is elected for 5 years).

The unicameral local parliament is called the National Assembly and consists of 71 deputies.

Basic political parties– Democratic Revolutionary Party, Panama Party and Democratic Change Party.

Administratively, the country's territory is divided into 9 provinces and three autonomous regions.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical, the average annual air temperature during the day is +32C, and in the evening - +21C. The rainy season lasts from October to November. The best time to visit Panama is from December to March.

Seas and oceans of Panama

In the north, this state is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and in the south by the Pacific Ocean. The total length of the coastline is 2,490 km. The average annual sea temperature off the coast in January-March is +28C, and in July-September - +29C.

Rivers and lakes

There are about 300 rivers in Panama, some of them flow into the Pacific Ocean, and others into the Caribbean Sea. Only one Panamanian river is navigable - the Río Tuira.

Panama culture

Panama is located in Central America, where many cultures intersect. Ethnic diversity is displayed in local pottery, ceremonial masks, architecture, cuisine and festivals.

Festivals and celebrations are held throughout the country throughout the year. At the end of February, the world-famous Panama Carnival is held in Panama City. This is a very colorful festival where local women wear traditional outfits and adorn themselves with gold jewelry.

In the north of the country, in the province of Colon, tourists can observe cultural traditions people from Africa. Thus, Congo drums are very popular among the residents of this province.

Kitchen

The main foods are beans, rice, meat. Fish and seafood dishes are excellent on the coast and islands. Mango and coconut are often added to local dishes.

Tourists are recommended to try “Sancocho” (chicken stew with vegetables), “Empanadas” (empanadas with meat or cheese), “Carimanola” (small flatbread with meat and boiled eggs), “Tamales” (tortilla with corn and meat in banana leaves ), "Gallo pinto" (rice and beans with pork), "Ceviche" (chopped raw fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice and mixed with tomatoes, cilantro and onions).

Traditional alcoholic drink– “seco” (liquor made from sugar cane).

Sights of Panama

We recommend tourists to visit the city of Panama Viejo, destroyed by pirates, where the ruins of Spanish buildings built at the beginning of the 16th century have survived to this day. But many of the ruins of this city have been preserved in very good condition, and therefore they can hardly be considered as such. These are, first of all, the Monastery of Santo Domingo, the Church of San Jose and the Royal Bridge.

Don't forget to watch the Panama Canal, which has so many different political events associated with it. There you will definitely see some large ocean-going vessel. By the way, more than 12 thousand large ocean-going ships pass through the Panama Canal locks every year.

Panamanian reserves and parks, of which there are many in this country, are popular among tourists. The most famous of them are located about 40 km from Panama City national park Meetings, as well as National parks Metropolitano, Portobelo, Volcan Baru, Sarigua and Darien. Don't forget to also visit marine park on the island of Bastimientos.

Cities and resorts

The largest cities are David, Colon, Burica, Boqueron, Atalaya, Almirante, Bocas del Toro, Ola, Parita, Portobelo and, of course, Panama City.

The sea coast of Panama is very large, and if you take into account the hundreds of islands, you can only imagine how many beaches there are in this country. Most tourists recognize that the best Panamanian beaches are not on the Pacific coast, but on the Caribbean coast. Moreover, the beaches on the islands are considered the best.

High season for beach holiday in Panama it falls between December and April. During these months, hotels raise their prices.

As a rule, tourists coming to this country first explore Panama City. Then they travel to the Panama Canal, and only then go to relax on the beaches.

If you are in Panama City and want to swim in the Pacific Ocean, then you need to go to Taboga Island (it is very close to the capital). Taboga's white sandy beaches are very nice, even by Panamanian standards. Not far from the capital there are several more good beaches - Farallon and Santa Clara.

If you want to find the most perfect Panamanian beach, then visit the San Blas Islands. Near these islands there are beautiful coral reefs.

Another place with excellent Panamanian beaches is the Bocas del Toro archipelago on the northwestern coast of the country. There we recommend paying attention to the island of Colon. Bastimientos Island National Marine Park is home to two more popular local beaches - Red Frog Beach and Playa Larg.

Souvenirs/shopping

Useful information for tourists about Panama, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Panama, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of Panama.

Geography of Panama

The Republic of Panama is a state in Central America on the Isthmus of Panama between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, bordered by Costa Rica in the west and Colombia in the east.

In a latitudinal direction, a central mountain range stretches across almost the entire country, bordered on both sides by coastal lowlands. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are characterized by deep bays and nearby islands. The Panama Canal is laid in the lowest part of the isthmus between the western and eastern mountainous regions.

State

State structure

Panama is a unitary presidential republic. Executive branch carried out by the president jointly with state ministers. Legislative power in Panama belongs to the unicameral Legislative Assembly.

Language

Official language: Spanish

For 14% of the population, English is their native language, and Indians speak their own languages.

Religion

About 85% of Panamanians are Catholics, about 10% (mostly black West Indians) are Protestants various directions, and another 5% of the inhabitants, mainly from Hindustan and the Middle East, are Muslims.

Currency

International name: PAB

Balboa is equal to 100 centissimo (centavos). There are no paper Balboa bills; their role is played by US dollars (the American currency was adopted as official in 1904 and is widely circulated freely). There are coins in circulation in 10 and 1 balboa, as well as 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centissimo.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at all branches of the National Bank, including at the airport, as well as at numerous exchange offices. In the capital of the country you can exchange almost any international currency; in the provinces, preference is given to the dollar and euro.

Credit cards from the world's leading systems are accepted everywhere. MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are the most widely used types of payment systems. You can cash travel checks at almost any bank.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Panama

Office hours

Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 15.00, on Saturdays - from 08.30 to 12.00.

Purchases

Value added tax (VAT, 5%) is levied only on certain types of services and on some foreign trade transactions. From payment household services, consumer goods and transport, VAT is not charged.

Shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 9.00 to 18.00. During the ten national holidays, almost all stores are closed.

It is customary to haggle only at market stalls and in case of buying from hand to hand, in shops and at artisanal markets, you should not haggle.

Souvenirs

You can buy many wonderful local handicrafts as souvenirs. The most famous are "molas" - bright local cotton fabrics decorated with abstract designs.

Medicine

Safety

The crime rate is growing, especially theft, so you should be especially careful and not openly display passports, currency, photo and video equipment, which are objects of high interest for local criminals. In the evening or when transporting luggage, it is recommended to take a taxi owned by large companies. When driving a car, it is recommended to never leave it unattended and keep all doors and windows closed.

Emergency numbers

Police - 104.
Tourist Police - 226-7000 or 269-8011.
Fire service - 103.
Ambulance - 269-9778.