The Republic of Panama

Covering a land-bridge which links North and South America, the Republic of Panama is best known for its 40-mile (65km) shipping canal, which is cut along a gap between mountains, linking the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The country is largely unexplored by tourists; only a few hardy adventurers, researchers and spirited travellers have had the joy of discovering its amazing diversity of flora and fauna, secluded beaches, tropical beauty and historic treasures. The name, Panama, means 'abundance of fish and butterflies', in an indigenous language, which gives a good indication of the wild wonders to be found here, beyond its rather daunting, but fascinating capital, Panama City.

Panama has a significant history stretching back thousands of years, from its eight indigenous peoples (including the colourful Kunas of the San Blas Islands) to its turbulent colonial occupation. Spanish forts stand along the coastline, overlooking the blue waters once patrolled by famous pirates like Henry Morgan, and where Sir Francis Drake was buried at sea.

It is the natural beauty of the isthmus that offers so much for visitors, however. Around 30 percent of Panama is made up of 15 national parks and forest reserves, and 10 wildlife sanctuaries, like the incredible Parque Nacional Darién, just a short drive from Panama City, which is the most magnificent wilderness area in Central America. Archipelagos of about 1,500 offshore islands, their white soft beaches lapped by crystal clear waters, sport virgin rainforest and are an untouched paradise for divers, snorkellers, deep-sea fishing, water sports and sunbathers.

Those 'in the know' can be forgiven for keeping the delights of Panama a secret from the flood of modern tourism, because this has preserved the integrity of this overlooked part of the world where the sun always shines and it is possible to swim in two oceans in a single morning.

Chiriqui

The beautiful Chiriqui province of Panama is mostly agricultural land, with a range of climates and ecosystems from sea level to 13,100 feet (4,000m). There are a number of towns and cities, though most are small villages. Two of the most popular tourist destinations in Chiriqui are Boquete and Cerro Punta, towns near the Barú Volcano. The towns make good starting point for treks into the wilder parts of the province.

Chiriqui's increasing popularity for tourism is focused mainly on adventure travel however, with activities such as white-water rafting and kayaking, hiking, horseback riding and bird watching available year-round in the provinces warm climate. The highlands of Chiriqui are also a delight for botanists with more than 1,200 varieties of orchids growing wild.

The province also has a number of pretty beaches that are natural habitats for Hawksbill and Leatherback sea turtles. Boca Chica and Las Olas are popular resorts along the coast, and offer activities such as fishing trips, scuba diving among coral reefs, expeditions to the Chiriqui highlands and mangrove forests, and tours of the local rum factory.

Events

Flower and Coffee Festival

Thousands descend on the small town of Boquete every January for the Feria de las Flores y del Café (Flower and Coffee Festival), a ten-day celebration that vies for the title of biggest flower celebration in the world. There are lavish floral displays showing off over 35,000 colourful blooms, along with live music, carnival rides, and craft markets along with all the food you can eat.

Panama City

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central America, Panama's chic capital is a mosaic of colour and culture with a thriving commercial and financial sector. Long dismissed as a centre of drug trade, Panama City has slowly rebuilt its reputation as a fantastic holiday destination with a style drawn from five centuries of history.

The city's modern skyline is constantly expanding, adding new skyscrapers to tower over the centuries-old Baroque and Spanish Colonial buildings that populate its older quarter, known as Casco Viejo. The district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, and its mix of architectural styles make a great introduction to the diverse cultural influences of Panama City.




There are many beautiful buildings in Panama City, including the cathedral on Plaza de la Catedral, the presidential palace (called Palacio de las Garzas in honour of the herons that nest there), and the Church of San Jose. Interesting museums like the Interoceanic Canal Museum, the Mi Pueblitos cultural museum, and the Museum of Religious Colonial Art, give visitors insight into the city's fascinating history, while scenic parks are great for enjoying the beautiful weather in Panama.

Panama City has a diverse population with a number of American and Asian expat residents, which contributes to a lively nightlife, especially around Calle Uruguay. There are also plenty of good restaurants in Panama City, ranging from Spanish tapas and Italian pastas to local specialties like ceviche (fresh fish marinated in lemon or lime juice) and sancocho (vegetable stew). There are a number of cafes along Via Argentina, and the fish market near the Casco Viejo is the best place to try fresh seafood.

Panama Canal

Way back in 1534 the enterprising King of Spain, Charles V, mooted the idea of building a shipping canal across the central American isthmus to connect the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, but it was not until 1880 that the French took up the challenge, under the auspices of Ferdinand de Lesseps, fresh from his triumph with the Suez Canal. The French attempt proved disastrous, daunted by disease and the inhospitable conditions, which ended up claiming an estimated 22,000 lives before construction was abandoned in 1889. In 1904 the United States Government decided to give it a go, first setting to work to improve conditions for labourers, and on 15 August 1914, the cargo ship 'Ancon' became the first of hundreds of thousands of vessels to traverse the canal, which has been hailed as one of the greatest engineering wonders of the world.

Today control of the canal has been handed over to the Republic of Panama, and it is not only trading ships that undertake the eight hour trip through the canal, obviating the long and treacherous route around Cape Horn at the tip of South America. Among the 14,000 ships a year that pass through the canal are hundreds of cruise liners, carrying excited tourists, and pleasure boats from motor launches to ocean-going yachts. On the shore the canal provides a spectacle for thousands more tourists who flock to watch the ships pass by, making it one of the most popular attractions for those who holiday in cosmopolitan Panama City, from where the waterway stretches to the city of Colon at the Caribbean end.

The canal essentially consists of a series of locks and lakes, including the massive Lake Gatun, which was created by flooding acres of forest during construction. Another of the most spectacular parts of the canal is the Gaillard Cut, where labourers hacked their way through nine miles of solid rock. Cruising through the canal is a spectacular experience, more like sailing along a wide, natural tropical river, overhung with lush jungle foliage, than travelling along a man-made waterway.