Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Land & Wildlife
Imagine a country the size of a postage stamp yet so diverse that it boasts
21 times more plant species per square kilometer than Brazil. Panama is
gaining fame for its vast tropical forests, hundreds of pristine islands and
astounding biodiversity. Though only slightly bigger than Ireland or Austria,
Panama is home to an incredible variety of landscapes. In the span of a
week, you can hike through highland cloud forests and verdant jungles and
take a dip in both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Although Panama is still largely undiscovered, more and more visitors are drawn to its re-
markable wildlife. Panama's rainforests are home to countless creatures, from agoutis
scurrying across the canopy floor to jaguars prowling the forests. In the sea, shallow coral
reef beds support innumerable varieties of tropical fish, while hammerheads and manta
rays roam deeper waters. In the air, nearly a thousand avian species make Panama one of
the top bird-watching destinations in the world.
Unfortunately, Panama also faces grave environmental threats from the hands of log-
gers, developers and indifferent or corrupt government agencies, which don't understand
that the country's finest gem - its natural beauty - is rapidly disappearing.
The principal threat to Panama's ecology is deforestation, which is picking up mo-
mentum throughout the country, most notably in the Darién. In addition, the balance
between conservation and development tips in favor of the latter, particularly in tourist hot
spots like the Península de Azuero and Bocas del Toro. Unexpected delays in the tourism
boom will buy time, hopefully for both sides to re-envision these areas in a way that is
both sustainable and profitable.
The passage of a ship through the Panama Canal requires approximately 52 million gal-
lons of water.
The Land
Panama is both the narrowest and the southernmost country in Central America. The long
S-shaped isthmus borders Costa Rica in the west and Colombia in the east. Its northern
Caribbean coastline measures 1160km, compared to a 1690km Pacific coastline in the
south, and its total land area is 78,056 sq km.
