Panama City, Capital and harbor city in Gulf of Panama, Panama
Panama City is a capital and harbor city on the Gulf of Panama, stretching along the Pacific Coast with modern skyscrapers in the financial district and colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo neighborhood. The city serves as a major port and sits near the famous canal connecting two oceans, making it an important center for trade and shipping.
Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila established the settlement in 1519 as a starting point for expeditions inland and for transporting Peruvian gold across the isthmus. Later, the city became a shipping hub after the canal was completed in the early 20th century under American direction.
Families and friends gather daily at the Cinta Costera waterfront promenade for jogging and strolling with views across the bay. In the streets of Casco Viejo, vendors sell handcrafts and snacks while musicians perform in public squares, making the neighborhood social and lively.
The Metro system connects the major districts while buses and taxis provide transportation between neighborhoods, from Tocumen Airport to the canal area. It is advisable to travel early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat and heavy rush hour traffic.
On a hill near Casco Viejo lie the ruins of Panamá Viejo, the original 16th-century city destroyed by a pirate attack led by Henry Morgan in 1671. The old stone towers and wall remnants are accessible to visitors and offer a quiet contrast to the modern districts surrounding them.
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