Panama
Capital
Panama City
Population
~4.4 million
Currency
Panamanian Balboa (PAB), US Dollar (USD widely used)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Spanish
- Religion
- Predominantly Roman Catholic
- Climate
- Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season
Culture & History
Known for: the Panama Canal connecting oceans, biodiversity, and offshore banking
Also famous for: Geographically strategic location, rainforests, San Blas Islands (Guna Yala)
Food: Sancocho (chicken soup), Ropa Vieja, Ceviche
Brief History
Spanish colony, part of Gran Colombia, independence aided by US (for canal), US control of Canal Zone until 1999