by Denise Calaman

Created on: September 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 06, 2010

Panama, the southernmost country in Central America, is well known all over the world for its canal linking the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. But Panama should be remembered for alot more than just an engineering marvel. Panama is both an economic and an environmental jewel. Costa Rica borders Panama to the north and Columbia borders it to the south. The geography of Panama is diverse. Panama has meandering valleys, jungle habitat, natural deltas and over 500 rivers. Mountains created by ancient volcanoes have cut their way through the middle of the country to form the Continental Divide. Volcan Baru is the highest point in Panama at 11,401 feet. Panama has a year round tropical climate with little temperature variation from season to season. The mountains are typically cooler than the lowlands and the Pacific coast is cooler than the Caribbean.

Panama is the most biologically diverse country in both Central and South America. Panama is home to over 10,000 plant species. The country is also home to more bird species than the United States and Canada combined. Panama is home to five World Heritage Sites and over 30% of Panama is protected from development and human encroachment. Forty percent of Panama remains wooded but that is down 50% from the 1940's. Panama works hard to preserve its natural beauty but its rainforest jungles are experiencing rapid deforestation just like many other South American countries.

The most famous wonder of Panama isn't natural but man-made. The Panama Canal had been proposed for many years before it became a reality. Sailors had been trying to navigate the isthmus (narrow strip of land connecting two bodies of water) of Panama in order to shave off over 8,000 miles from their sailing journey since as early as 1542. The Canal was completed in 1914 after much overspending and thousands of lives lost to accidents and mosquito-borne disease. The United States officially handed over full control of the Canal to the Panamanians on December 31, 1999. The Panama Canal contributes substantially to the economy of Panama.

Spaniards first discovered Panama as early as 1501. Upon their arrival the native Cuevas and Cocle Indian tribes were decimated not only by fighting but by European diseases that Spaniards brought with them. Indigenous Indians had no natural immunities to fight off foreign diseases. Panama remained part of Spain for almost 300 years until it gained its independence on November 28,

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