Panama means "the place of abundant fish," but people like to say that everything is found in abundance here. You'll find an abundance of wildlife in Panama's many national parks, an abundance of white sand beaches, hundreds of islands, more banks and shops than you would have dreamed possible, the Panama Canal and, of course, a fantastic quantity of fresh seafood, including fish.

Located within the limits of Panama City, this protected tropical forest is the site where the Smithsonian Institute carries out scientific research on the ecology of the forest canopy.Here you can walk through marked paths, surrounded by orchids and cedar trees and see more than 200 different species of birds, mammals and reptiles.

The history of the construction of the Panama Canal is the saga of human ingenuity and courage: years of sacrifice, crushing defeat, and final victory. More than 22.000 people gave their life in the effort.The construction started 1880 with the French construction period and was completed by the United States of America in the year 1914.The Panama Canal is approximately 80 kilometres long between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Canal uses a system of locks.

Recognized as the Eighth Wonder of the world, the Panama Canal is much more than an unprecedented engineering feat: You can do superb hiking and bird watching tours, at only minutes from downtown Panama City or visit the world's most researched rainforest: the Smithsonian Institution's natural laboratory of Barro Colorado Island in Lake Gatun.