Panama city vacation packages include complete historical and geographical information useful for Panama City tours & Travel. Panama explored by Columbus in 1502 and by Balboa in 1513, Panama was the principal shipping point to and from South and Central America in colonial days. In 1821, when Central America revolted against Spain, Panama joined Colombia, which had already declared its independence. For the next 82 years, Panama attempted unsuccessfully to break away from Colombia. Between 1850 and 1900 Panama had 40 administrations, 50 riots, 5 attempted secessions, and 13 U.S. interventions. After a U.S. proposal for canal rights over the narrow isthmus was rejected by Colombia, Panama proclaimed its independence with U.S. backing in 1903.

The southernmost of the Central American nations, Panama is south of Costa Rica and north of Colombia. The Panama Canal bisects the isthmus at its narrowest and lowest point, allowing passage from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina. It is marked by a chain of mountains in the west, moderate hills in the interior, and a low range on the east coast. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area.

3,191,319 (growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 21.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 16.4/1000; life expectancy: 75.2; density per sq mi: 109

Panama City, 1,053,500 (metro. area), 437,200 (city proper)

San Miguelito, 309,500; Colón, 44,400

Balboa (PAB), U S dollar (USD)

Spanish (official), English

Catholic (85%), Protestant (15%)

93% (2003 est.)

Required by all except the following for stays of up to 90 days (at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities)
(a) 1. nationals of the EU and the UK (except for UK passports issued in Hong Kong (SAR) to those who were born in Hong Kong).
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Korea (Rep), Korea (Dem Rep), Nicaragua, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay and the Vatican City.

A Tourist Card will be issued in lieu of a visa to the following for stays of up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at the discretion of the Immigration Authorities): 2. nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Canada, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Thailand, Taiwan (China), Trinidad & Tobago, USA and Venezuela.

Tourist: US$52 Tourist Card: Prices vary, depending on nationality and also on where the Tourist Card is obtained from (eg prior to departure, on the flight or upon arrival at the airport). Some nationals can obtain the Tourist Card free of charge (including nationals of Mexico and the USA). Enquire at the Consulate for details.

Visas and Tourist Cards are valid within a three-month period from the date of issue and allow stays for up to 30 days (extendable to 90 days at discretion of Immigration Authorities).

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). A Tourist Card can be issued either by the travel agent or on the flight or at the airport.