So you want to get to know Panama a little bit better? Good news: today I’ll be sharing 19 interesting facts about Panama, which is a fascinating country!
Panama is the only place in the world where you can watch the sun rise on the Pacific Ocean and set on the Atlantic, from the same spot – and that’s just one fun fact about Panama!
Panama, officially called The Republic of Panama, is a small Central American country located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. The current population stands at just over 4.5 million people.
You might not expect it, but because of its skyscrapers and vibrant nightlife, Panama City is seen as the “Miami of Central America”.
There are so many other fun and interesting facts to share about this multicultural and diverse country, so let’s dive into it!
19 Interesting and Fun Facts About Panama
1. Panama Hats Don’t Come From Panama
It’s funny because it’s true: the famous straw hats that we all know as Panama hats, don’t actually come from Panama! They come from Ecuador.
The fact that Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing a Panama hat in 1906 when he visited the Panama Canal, has probably created the whole myth.
And yes, these days you can buy the hats all over Panama, in a wide range of colors and styles.
2. There’s a Rainforest in Panama City
Yes, you read that right. In fact, Panama City is the only capital in the world with a rainforest.
If this isn’t a tropical city, then I don’t know what is!
3. In Panama, You Can Swim in Both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean on the Same Day
Who says you can’t be in two places at the same time? Due to Panama’s geographic position, you can swim in both oceans on the same day.
4. Panama Was the First Latin American Country to Adopt the US Dollar
Panama has two official currencies: the Panamanian Balboa and the U.S. dollar.
In 1904, Panama was the first Latin American country to adopt the U.S. dollar.
5. There Are Only Two Seasons in Panama
Panama has an extremely hot and tropical climate – it’s only around 1000 km (620 miles) away from the equator.
There are two major seasons in Panama: wet and dry. The dry season runs from November to April, and the wet season runs from April to November.
6. It’s Very Rare for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes to Hit Panama
Hurricanes can be terrifying, but luckily Panama is located south of the hurricane belt. This means it’s very rare for tropical storms and hurricanes to hit Panama.
And this also means you can safely visit Panama any time of year.
7. Panama Has More Bird Species Than the Entire Continental USA
If you’re into bird watching, then you should definitely visit Panama.
There are almost 1000 recorded bird species, which is more than many much larger countries such as Canada and continental US.
8. The Official Language of Panama is Spanish
But, Latin-American Spanish, which includes Panamanian Spanish, differs from Spanish spoken in Spain.
If you’ve ever been to Spain and tried to talk to a Spaniard, you might have been lost in translation. Spaniards tend to speak very fast.
Now, if you’re learning Spanish, you’ll like this fact: Panamanian Spanish is quite easy to understand and Panamanians tend to speak slowly.
9. Panamanian Culture Has a Strong Emphasis on Family
Panamanians really value their family. Many generations live together in one home, care for each other, and help run the household.
10. The Inventor of ‘Murphy’s Law’ Was Born in Panama
If you’ve ever had a bad day where everything went wrong, you probably know about Murphy’s Law.
Most people talk about it jokingly: the law states that “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”.
And yes, Edward A. Murphy, the person who this ”law” was named after, was born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1918.
11. From the Baru Volcano You Can See the Sun Rise on the Pacific Ocean and Set on the Atlantic
This volcano is located at the Cordillera Central, the country’s largest mountain range. The highest point is 3,475 meters (11,400 feet), making it the highest point in Panama.
From this point, which is a popular hike, you can see the sun rise on the Pacific Ocean and set on the Atlantic.
12. The Panama Canal Was Originally Built by the U.S. Army
Between 1904 and 1914, the U.S. Army Corps was in charge of the construction of the Panama Canal.
It’s considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
It was an incredibly challenging project during which more than 25,000 workers died, because of the difficult terrain, the humidity, heavy rainfall, and rampant tropical diseases.
And another fact about the Panama Canal: it is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other one being the Suez Canal.
13. Most Panamanians Are Descendants of a Mix of Ethnicities and Cultures
This includes indigenous people, Europeans, Afro-Caribbeans, and many others from all over the world.
The diverse culture of Panama is also reflected in its music and art. The tamborito, for example, is a genre of folkloric music and dance that you’ll see a lot in Panama. It’s a hybrid mix of Spanish, Amerindian, and African cultures.
14. Panama City is Central America’s Wealthiest City
Thanks to the Panama Canal, the country was able to become a center for international trade.
Panama City is currently the wealthiest city in Central America.
15. There Are Over 10.000 Different Plant Species in Panama
Attention all plant lovers: Panama is home to more than 10.000 different plant species, including more than 1500 species of trees, more than 1200 varieties of orchids, and 675 types of fern.
Panama, along with Costa Rica, western Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, has the highest plant diversity in the world.
16. The Panamanians Are Crazy About Baseball
Baseball is the most popular sport in Panama. The people are crazy about it!
Watching live baseball is therefore definitely one of the top things to do in Panama.
17. Panama Played a Huge Role in Human Evolution
Panama is a piece of land known as a land bridge (also known as ‘isthmus’) – it’s the connection between North and South America.
Homo sapiens exist because of the change in climate patterns which was caused by the land bridge of Panama. Without Panama, humans may not have existed!
18. The Narrowest Part of Panama is Only 48 Kilometers Wide
That’s just under 30 miles.
This makes it very easy to travel from one side of the country to the other.
19. Coca-Cola Was First Sold in Panama
In 1906, Panama was the first country outside of the US that started selling Coca-Cola. A refreshing fact, if you ask me 😉
Facts About Panama – Final Thoughts
We can definitely say that Panama is anything but boring! In fact, it’s one of my favorite countries to visit.
It’s a small yet incredibly diverse country. And with its friendly people, good public transport and wide range of things to do it’s a great travel destination.
Do you know any other fun or interesting facts about Panama? Leave a comment below!
Also Read:
- The Best Things to Do in Anton’s Valley, Panama
- Why Panama’s San Blas Islands are Some of the Best Caribbean Islands to Visit
- Interesting, Shocking & Fun Facts About Japan
- Facts About Dubai You Probably Didn’t Know
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