Did you know that Panama offers more than just the famous canal? This small yet incredibly biodiverse country has so much more to discover.
Planning a trip to Panama soon? Check out these fun facts about Panama to impress even the locals during your visit!
Photo by Christian Holzinger on Unsplash
15 Fun Facts About Panama to Know Before Your Visit
Panama Is The Only Place to Watch Sunsets Over Two Oceans
The unique geography of Panama provides a cool chance to see sunsets over both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans—one of the many fun facts about Panama that make this country so fascinating!
As an isthmus, Panama is located in a way that allows you to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean on the western side, and see the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea (part of the Atlantic Ocean) on the eastern side.
While you can’t see sunsets over both oceans at the same time, high-altitude locations like Panama City offer great views.
The Panama Canal Transports Over 12,000 Ships Every Year
The Panama Canal handles over 12,000 ships per year, accounting for 5% of the world’s trade. It connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean (via the Caribbean Sea) and shortens travel times for ships.
For example, in 2022 alone, over 14,200 transits were recorded. By using the canal, ships avoid the lengthy and treacherous route around the southern tip of South America, saving both time and fuel.
Photo by Rikin Katyal on Unsplash
Panama Has More Birds Than The United States And Canada Combined
Panama has approximately 10% of the world’s total number of bird species, over 1,020 different bird species. Panama is home to more bird species than the U.S. and Canada combined, a fact that makes it a prime destination for birdwatchers.
Some of the most important habitats include rainforests and mangroves. Places like Darien National Park host several types of birds, including both local and migratory ones. This makes Panama a great hub for birdwatchers since they will be able to spot different species.
Panama Has Over 1,000 Islands
Panama is an archipelago of more than 1,000 islands, making it a large island group in Central America. Some of these islands face the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The most well-known are the Pearl Islands and the San Blas Islands.
These Panamanian islands host highly diversified ecosystems, drawing the interest of ecotourism. They also attract people who come to enjoy activities like snorkeling and sailing in Panama’s clear beaches and rich sea life.
Photo by Chema Photo on Unsplash
Panama is The Go-To Eco-Tourism Destination in Central America
Panama has over 30% of its land protected as national parks or protected areas. No wonder, it is one of the best places for ecotourism in Central America.
Travelers can go on a wildlife safari, bird-watching, and visit indigenous groups among other fun activities. The main attractions are the Darién National Park, known for its wildlife, and the Bocas del Toro islands, famous for snorkeling and marine life. This makes Panama an ideal destination for eco-friendly tourism.
Panama Has a National Park for Every 50 Miles of Coastline
In Panama, there is a national park every 50 miles along its coastline. This is a fun fact about Panama that also proves the country’s strong commitment to environmental conservation.
With 2,490 km of coastlines, Panama possesses several protected natural areas, including Coiba National Park and Soberanía National Park. These parks provide excellent conditions for the protection of different ecosystems and the species that live there.
In short, these and other facts make Panama one of the leading countries in environmental conservation and sustainability.
Photo by Richie Gomez on Unsplash
Panama Has No Paper Money
Panama’s official currency is the Panamanian balboa, named after the explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa. It is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 ratio, and thus the dollar is widely used.
However, the balboa is issued only as coins, while the paper currency is exclusively in U.S. dollars. This makes business easy for both tourists and locals as there is no need for currency exchange.
It Was the First Country to Use the U.S. Dollar as a Legal Tender
Here comes another fun fact about Panama: immediately after its independence in 1904, Panama became the first country to adopt the U.S. dollar as legal tender. The Balboa, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a 1:1 exchange rate, was introduced at the same time. But only in the form of coins.
This dual-currency system has helped keep the country’s economy stable and improved international trade.
Panama Has 4 Volcanoes
Panama has only one active volcano, Volcán Barú at 3,475 meters and the highest peak in the country. While there are reports of volcanic activity around 1550, there are no confirmed eruptions of Volcán Barú in recent decades. It’s one of the many interesting facts about Panama to discover before visiting it.
Other volcanic formations in Panama, such as El Valle and La Yeguada, are dormant or extinct, though they may still have geothermal activity, such as hot springs.
Note that the risk of volcanic eruptions in Panama is very low compared to other Central American countries.
It’s a Popular Destination for Cruise Ships
Panama is a popular cruise port, offering several lines with its iconic Panama Canal cruises. Nearly 201 cruise vessels sail through the canal every year, bringing almost 900,000 visitors into the country.
Many regard the canal as one of the world’s greatest human-made engineering marvels. Colón is one of the main embarkation and tender ports offering accessibility not just to Panama City but to natural surroundings as well.
Photo by Mike Krüger is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Panama’s Capital Is the Oldest in the Americas
Panama City was founded in August 1519 by Pedro Arias Dávila, a Spanish explorer. This city became the oldest European settlement on the Pacific coast of the American continent.
First named Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá, the city became a key hub for trade due to its strategic location along major crossing routes. In 1671, pirates destroyed the original city; however two years later, in 1673, it was rebuilt at a new site, now known as Casco Viejo.
Today, the ruins of the original settlement, Panamá Viejo, and Casco Viejo stand as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are also a great starting point to learn fun facts about Panama and its fascinating past.
The Indigenous Guna People Live on a Group of Islands
The Guna are an Indigenous people living in the Guna Yala territory, known before as the San Blas Islands. This archipelago off Panama’s Caribbean coast is home to over 30,000 people.
Guna Yala is a semi-autonomous region that allows the Guna to maintain their traditional way of life and self-governance. They rely on fishing, small-scale farming, and tourism to make their living.
You Can Hike to the Top of an Active Volcano in Panama
You can hike to Volcán Barú, the highest point in Panama, standing at 3,475 meters above sea level. On a clear day from the summit, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Don’t worry about the volcano, it hasn’t had any activity, so it is safe for visitors.
The main trail, starting from Boquete, is 13.5 kilometers long and takes approximately 4 to 7 hours to reach the top. Many hikers choose to trek overnight to enjoy a spectacular sunrise at the summit.
Panama Is One of the World’s Largest Producers of Bananas
Did you know Panama is one of the world’s largest banana exporters? For instance, in 2021, it exported 242,840 tons of bananas, up 7.1% compared to the year before. Banana production employs approximately 33,000 employees and covers an area of 8,000 hectares.
Banana exports are a key part of Panama’s economy, with about 65% being sent to the United States. Other important markets include the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.
Photo by Karol Chomka on Unsplash
Panama Is Often Linked to the World’s Longest Snake
A mistakenly fun fact about Panama is that it is often associated with the infamous Titanoboa, the giant snake that ever existed about 60 million years ago.
Fossils of this massive creature were found near the border of Colombia with Panama, revealing that it could grow to enormous lengths of 12 to 15 meters and weigh over 1,135 kgs.
Though Titanoboa went extinct, its discovery points to ancient paleontological history. It is an important place for studying fossils of reptiles.
Learn more about Colombia with these 20 fascinating facts!
Panama Has One of the World’s Highest Literacy Rates
Panama has a literacy rate of about 95.7%, one of the highest in the world. For the population aged 15 to 24 years, the literacy rate rises to about 98%. This is due to the country’s strong focus on education, which is free up to the high school level.
However, there are disparities among different groups of people, and the literacy rates for Indigenous people are lower due to their geographic isolation and limited access to quality education.
Panama Has No Army
Panama does not have a standing army as its constitution was designed to prevent military abuse of power. After the U.S. invasion in 1989, the Panamanian Defense Forces were dissolved. The country has relied on a civilian police force for safety since then.
Today, the country’s Public Forces, which include law enforcement agencies, handle both domestic security and work with international partners like the United States to ensure stability.
Panama Has the World’s Largest Duty-Free Shopping Zone
The Colón Free Zone has belonged to Panama since 1948 and is the largest duty-free shopping area in the Americas and the second largest worldwide.
The zone covers approximately 600 acres with more than 2,500 companies selling a wide range of products at discounted prices. While it mainly serves wholesalers, it is also a popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists looking to purchase tax-free items.
Photo by Roger W is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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