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Panama

✨ The bridge between two oceans

Panama is a country in Central America on the isthmus linking North and South America. It borders Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east, with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. This position gives Panama a major geographical role: the Panama Canal crosses the isthmus and links Atlantic and Pacific maritime routes.

Opened in 1914, it uses locks to raise and lower ships between the two oceans. The capital, Panama City, lies on the Pacific coast. The landscape includes lowlands, mountains, rivers, tropical forests and coastal environments. Panama is also an important biological bridge.

The connection between the continents allowed many plant and animal species to move between North and South America, contributing to rich biodiversity. In the east, Darién National Park protects tropical forests, wetlands, mangroves and mountain ecosystems near the Colombian border. UNESCO lists it as a World Heritage site because of its exceptional natural and biological value.

In the Pacific, Coiba National Park and its marine protection zone conserve important island and ocean ecosystems. Panama has a tropical climate, although rainfall and temperatures vary with altitude, region and season. Its geography therefore shapes both natural environments and human activity, especially navigation and trade between the two oceans.

💡 Did you know?

The Panama Canal is one of the greatest human constructions in history. It's like a giant shortcut: before, ships had to sail for weeks to go around South America. Thanks to the canal, they cross in just a few hours! For the ships to cross the mountains in the middle of the country, 'locks' are used—kinds of giant elevators filled with water that raise and lower the ships.

Did you know that Panama's little golden frog is considered a lucky charm? It is bright yellow and very small, but it only exists in this country. Unfortunately, it has become very rare. For the locals, it is so important that they even created a national day for it, and you see it a lot on lottery tickets because it's thought to bring good luck!

The hat we call the 'Panama Hat' has a bit of a misleading name! Actually, these woven straw hats have always been made in Ecuador. So why the name? It’s because they became famous during the construction of the Panama Canal. Thousands of workers and even the President of the United States wore them to protect themselves from the sun, and travelers passing through called them Panama hats.