by Cindy Kessler

Created on: September 12, 2009   Last Updated: November 16, 2009

Panama is located on a narrow strip of land (called an isthmus) forming the land bridge connecting North and South America. It is famous for the Panama Canal which has shaped the country's destiny since the beginning of the Spanish colonization. The canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans by cutting through the isthmus. It is called The Crossroads of the World because so many ships use the route to avoid the long trip around South America.

The United States successfully completed building the existing canal in 1914, and it remains one of the world's greatest engineering projects.

Panama and the United States have developed close economic and cultural ties over the past century and many Panamanians speak English or at least have a working knowledge of the language. The US dollar is the Panamanian currency.

The Capital, Panama City, is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, a refreshing combination of historic and ultra modern sites. The metro area has a population of 1,206,792 significant in a country with a total population of 3,310,000.

There are three distinct areas in Panama City, locally referred to as the Three Cities:

The first Panama City, Old Panama, is the historic, picturesque site of the original Panama City, founded in 1517.

The second Panama City is the Casco Viejo section which includes 17th century churches, convents and historical buildings.

Beautiful Panama Bay is the site of the third Panama City, known as one of the safest cities anywhere. Besides all the modern conveniences of world class infrastructure, booming business sector, it is home to The Metropolitan Natural Park, a rainforest in the middle of the city.

With over 1500 islands on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, easily accessed rainforests, magnificent mountains, historical sites and cosmopolitan cities, Panama has something for everyone.

Panama has other uniquely pleasant attributes; it does not get hurricanes or earthquakes thanks to its geographical location.

With an annual GDP of $38,000, a stable economy and friendly people Panama has remained in the top five places to retire for the last eight years, according to International Living Magazine. The American Association for Retired Persons magazine wrote that one region of Panama is one of the top four places for Americans to live abroad. There is a large enclave of American retirees in the Chinqui Province in western Panama.

With a tradition of service to foreigners, tap water you can drink and

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