The Republic of Panama

Located to the southeast of Central America, it is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the south by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by Colombia and to the west by Costa Rica. Panama's condition as a transit country made it early on as a point of encounter from cultures coming from all parts of the world. The country is the geographical scenario of the Panama Canal, a feat of engineering that facilitates the communications between the coasts of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and that influences significantly the world trade. Due to its geographical position Panama actually offers to the world an ample platform of maritime, commercial, real estate and financial services, among them is the Colon Free Zone, the biggest free zone on the continent and the second largest in the world. The Republic of Panama, with a population a little over three million inhabitants, has a privileged position among the various growth and development classification of Latin America, such as the human development index (first place in Central America and fourth in Latin America). The country has been classified in absolute terms, this means without taking into account the wealth distribution, as one of medium to high economic income.

Currency

The national currency is El Balboa, which has the same value as the US dollar since 1904. Panama is the second country on the continent whose economy has been dollarized. Currently there are in circulation 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents coins, that have the same weight, dimensions and composition of coins that have the same value as the US Dollar and for other currency denominations there is no paper money for the Balboa, so US Dollar bills are used.

Language

The official language is Spanish, however Panama is a country that its history has been a melting pot of races from different parts of the world and you can find English, Chinese, Arab, American, Kuna and Embera influences, the last two are the most popular indigenous tribes and they still conserve their traditions in areas protected by the State.

Ecology

More than 25% of the Panamanian territory is protected by national parks and nature reserves that are home to almost 1,000 species of birds, 220 species of mammals, 240 species of reptiles, and more than 10,000 species of vascular plants.

Nature enthusiast will find in Panama at hand´s reach abundant wildlife, in unperturbed habitats. Within Panama City limits, the Metropolitan Nature Park manifests the splendor of a tropical rainforest with accessible trails where toucans, coatis, Morpho butterflies and endemic Rufous-naped tamarins are usual guests.

Chagres National Park has some of the most extensive and healthiest tracks of Rainforest in the region. Indigenous Embera families welcome visitors to learn about their ancestral traditions that are based in cohabiting with nature in a sustainable manner. The historic Camino Real Trail, the King´s Road, dissects the park on the Caribbean Sea. Organized tours along the Camino Real offer unique opportunities to experience exuberant wildlife, pre Columbian unspoiled culture and rich history tracing back to colonial times.

Toward Panama´s Pacific coast, in the province of Veraguas, thrives the Island of Coiba. This is the largest island of Coiba. This is the largest island in the Pacific of the American continent, and with other 38 surrounding island, it forms the Coiba National Park. This national park was inscribed in UNESCO´s World Heritage List. Besides protecting marine and island ecosystems, Coiba is home to about 1,450 species of vascular plants and last refuge to several endangered species, including the harpy eagle, Panamas national symbol.

Eastern Panama represents the quintessential mystical rainforest. The Sarie National Park, a World Heritage Site, protects more than 1.2 million acres of pristine habitats forming a natural bridge between the two continents of the New World. It contains an exceptional variety of ecosystems – sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves swamps, lowland and highland tropical forests containing remarkable wildlife. The Darien is the realm of the harpy eagle and the territory of jaguars, tapirs and packs of wild white – lipped peccaries.

Beaches

Panama, never too far from the sea. Panama… one of the only places in the world where you can welcome the sunrise swimming in the warm waters of the Pacific and, hours later, enjoy a romantic sunset dancing to Caribbean rhythms.

The 2,500 kilometers of marine coastlines that embrace Panama continue to attract explorers and adventurers from all cover the world, like it occurred centuries ago with Columbus and the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa.

The Caribbean Sea crowns Panama to the north and its beautiful beaches and blissfully isolated islands surrounded by astonishing clear waters are the perfect hideaway for a slow-paced, yet intrepid vacation. Bocas del Toro, to the west, is synonymous with relaxing and tropical charm; yet it is untamed and naturally blesses. Snorkeling in coral gardens and mangroves, sea- turtle and dolphin watching, and laying on a hammock under palm trees are part of the daily schedule.