Panama

geography · Central America · canals · crossroads

Bridge between oceans. Panama is the only place where you can see the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean and set over the Caribbean Sea, because the country runs east-to-west instead of north-to-south like most places.

World's busiest waterway. The Panama Canal cuts through the country and is one of the most important shipping routes in the world, letting ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without going all the way around South America.

Crowded capital city. Panama City is home to nearly half of the country's 4 million people, making it the heart of the nation and a bustling hub for international trade and business.

Two countries nearby. Panama shares borders with Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast, sitting right at the crossroads where Central America meets South America.

Ocean on both sides. With the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, Panama has coastlines on two different oceans, making it a special place for sailors and marine life.