What is Panama Known For?

Known as the Crossroads of the Americas, Panama is one of seven countries in Central America. The word “Panama” means an abundance of fish, but the country’s diversity goes far beyond sealife. A variety of landscapes, small historic towns, a mountainous interior, and the only capital city in the world with a rainforest in its city limits are packed in a small geographic area between two oceans.

Ease of travel and the ability to enjoy a myriad of unique experiences within a short stay make Panama a world-class destination. But before you go, enhance your trip by learning about what Panama is known for.

The Panama Canal

The most famous tourist attraction in Panama is one of the most remarkable feats of mankind. One of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal is an 82 km (50 mi ) manmade waterway that cuts across the isthmus to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As a result, the time to navigate safely between two major oceans is drastically reduced.

The creation of such a passage was dreamed about as far back as the 1500s as a potential shortcut from Europe to East Asia. But dense jungle and mountainous terrain made it imposs