A Geographic Overview of Panama

Abstract

The Republic of Panama occupies about 77,382 km² and, despite its relatively small size, displays a remarkable degree of physical and cultural diversity. Part of the country's physical and biological variety can be attributed to its absolute location within the tropics. Panama's relative location, however, is equally responsible for both the physical and cultural complexity of the country. As the land bridge between the Americas and the major link between the world's two largest oceans, Panama is the crossroads of the western hemisphere. The country's position relative to the continents and oceans constitutes its most important situational advantage. This geographic analysis focuses on the physical geography of Panama, with the goal of providing an overview and larger context for the other papers of this volume. It considers the implications of its relative location and summarizes the physical geography of Panama in general terms drawing from geomorphology, climatology, and biogeography. Although the climate is tropical, Panama experiences significant climate diversity over relatively short distances. Panama also has considerable relief within its comparatively small territorial extent. Elevation differences and associated temperature and precipitation patterns produce distinct vegetative regimes and contribute further to the country's biodiversity. The country's most celebrated resource, however, is its unique location at the intersection of the western hemisphere's continents and oceans.