According to businesscarriers, Panama is a Central American country located between Costa Rica and Colombia, with the Caribbean Sea to its north and the Pacific Ocean to its south. It is bordered by two bodies of water, the Panama Canal and the Gulf of Panama, which connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It has an area of 75,517 square kilometers (29,157 sq mi) and a population of 4.2 million people (2019).
The country’s economy is largely based on services such as banking, tourism, logistics and transportation. In recent years it has become an increasingly popular destination for investors due to its favorable tax laws. The Panamanian government also encourages foreign investment in areas such as infrastructure development, manufacturing, agriculture and technology.
Panama’s main natural resources are copper, gold, silver and timber. The country also has a large fishing industry with over 500 species of fish being caught each year. Agriculture is also important with bananas being one of the most important crops exported from Panama.
The country’s capital city is Panama City which is home to over 1 million people making it one of the largest cities in Central America. Other major cities include Colon on the Caribbean coast; David on the Pacific coast; Santiago de Veraguas in western Panama; Chitre in Los Santos province; Penonome in Cocle province; Las Tablas in Los Santos province; La Palma in Chiriqui province; Bocas del Toro on Isla Colon; Boquete in Chiriqui province; El Valle de Anton near Panama City; El Valle de Santa Maria near Panama City; La Mesa near El Valle de Anton; Volcan Baru near Boquete and Gamboa near Panama City.
Panama has several protected areas including national parks such as Soberania National Park covering 52 square kilometers (20 sq mi); Chagres National Park covering 862 square kilometers (332 sq mi); Coiba National Park covering 2200 square kilometers (849 sq mi) which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its unique biodiversity; La Amistad International Park which covers both sides of the border between Costa Rica and Panama totaling 775000 hectares (1.9 million acres); Sarigua National Park covering 10 square kilometers (3 sq mi); Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos Herrera covering 536 square kilometers (207 sq mi) and Isla Bastimentos Marine National Park covering 53 square kilometers (20 sq mi).
Agriculture in Panama
Agriculture is an important part of the Panamanian economy, with over 10% of the country’s GDP coming from agricultural production. The country has a wide variety of climates and soils that allow for a diverse range of crops to be grown. The majority of agricultural production in Panama is focused on staples such as corn, rice and beans, but there are also a number of tropical fruits, vegetables and flowers grown in the country as well.
Bananas are one of the most important crops produced in Panama and account for around 40% of exports from the country. Other major crops include coffee, sugarcane, cocoa, rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and onions. There are also a number of other minor crops grown such as melons, peppers and squash.
The main areas for agriculture in Panama are located in the lowlands near the Pacific coast. This region has more fertile soils than other parts of the country and receives more rainfall which is beneficial for crop growth. The Chagres River Valley is also an important agricultural area due to its irrigation systems which provide water to local farms and plantations.
Livestock production is another important part of Panama’s agricultural sector with cows being raised for both milk and beef production while pigs are mainly used for pork production. Poultry farming is also common with chickens being raised mainly for eggs but also meat production. Sheep farming is also popular with wool being one of the main products exported from Panama along with hides which are used to make leather goods such as shoes and handbags.
Agricultural workers make up around 10% of Panama’s total labor force with most working on small family farms or larger corporate plantations. Most farms rely heavily on manual labor with few modern machines or equipment being used due to cost constraints although some larger corporate farms have started using mechanization to increase efficiency levels.
In recent years there has been an increase in government support towards improving agricultural productivity through initiatives such as providing access to credit facilities; promoting sustainable farming practices; encouraging research into new technologies; establishing rural infrastructure projects; providing technical assistance; offering tax incentives; creating farmer cooperatives; investing in rural development programs; increasing access to markets and reducing tariffs on imported inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. These measures have helped improve yields across all sectors resulting in increased incomes for farmers as well as improved food security across Panama.
Fishing in Panama
Fishing is an important part of Panama’s economy and culture, providing a source of income for many coastal communities and sustenance for local populations. The country has a rich fishing history, with the earliest inhabitants having used fish as a primary food source. Today, the fishing industry is still an important part of Panama’s economy and culture, with large-scale commercial fishing operations as well as artisanal fisheries operating in both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.
The Pacific coast of Panama has long been known for its abundance of fish species, which include snapper, grouper, tuna, mahi-mahi (dorado), jacks, and other pelagic species. A variety of bottomfish such as snapper are also found in this region. In addition to these commercial species, there is also an abundance of non-commercial fish such as needlefish and various reef fish that are targeted by recreational anglers.
The Caribbean coast offers similar diversity to the Pacific coast with abundant reef fish such as grouper, snapper, jacks and various other species being found here. This region is also known for its abundance of billfish such as marlin and sailfish which are highly sought after by sport fishermen. In addition to these larger game fish there are also plenty of smaller reef species including grunts and wrasses that can be caught in this region.
In recent years there has been an increase in aquaculture production in Panama due to improved management practices that have resulted in higher yields from both marine fisheries and freshwater aquaculture operations. Shrimp farming is one of the most common forms of aquaculture in Panama with farmed shrimp being exported to markets throughout Central America and beyond. Fish farming operations have also increased significantly over recent years with tilapia being one of the most popular farmed species due to its high demand locally as well as internationally.
Overall, fishing plays an important role in Panama’s economy through providing employment for thousands of people who work either directly or indirectly within the industry while also supplying a large portion of protein consumed domestically each year. It is essential that sustainable practices continue to be implemented throughout all sectors so that future generations can continue to benefit from these resources while ensuring their protection for future use.
Forestry in Panama
Panama is home to an incredible variety of forests, from dense rainforests in the lowlands to dry tropical forests in the mountains. The country’s total forest cover is estimated at over 4 million hectares and it is one of the most biologically diverse countries in Central America.
The majority of Panama’s forests are located in the Caribbean region, with nearly half (46%) of all forest cover found here. This region includes a mix of tropical rainforest and semi-evergreen moist forest, both of which support a unique array of wildlife species. Within these forests there are over 500 species of trees, with some reaching heights up to 60 meters. There are also several species of orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes that can be found growing on tree trunks and branches throughout these areas.
In addition to this Caribbean region, there are also significant areas of dry tropical forest located in Panama’s mountainous regions. These forests tend to be more open than their rainforest counterparts and contain several species such as mahogany, cedar and laurel trees. These forests provide important habitat for various birds and mammals that inhabit the area such as white-tailed deer, howler monkeys and ocelots among others.
Protected areas such as national parks play an important role in preserving Panama’s rich biodiversity by protecting large tracts of intact forest from human disturbance or exploitation. Currently there are six national parks covering just over 1 million hectares with plans for more to be established in the future. These protected areas help conserve key habitats for threatened species such as jaguars, tapirs and harpy eagles while also providing recreational opportunities for visitors from all over the world.
In addition to its incredible biodiversity, Panama’s forests also provide essential ecosystem services that benefit both local communities and the environment as a whole. Forests act as carbon sinks by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which helps mitigate climate change while also providing valuable resources such as timber for construction purposes or fuelwood for cooking needs among others. They can also help protect watersheds by filtering out pollutants before they reach rivers or streams while providing habitat for many species that form part of local food webs which are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems overall.
Overall, Panama’s forests play an integral role in maintaining healthy ecosystems while supporting local communities through providing essential resources they need to survive and thrive on a daily basis. It is important that conservation efforts continue so that these resources can continue to be utilized without compromising their long term sustainability or negatively impacting biodiversity levels within this incredibly diverse country.
