Panama

Panamá City skyline - capital of Panamá, founded by the Spanish in 1673.  The impressive number of skyscrapers is a consequence of the inflow of Colombian drug money.

Panamá City - scene in the Casco Viejo, or old town, section.  The colorful street market extends for some ways along the waterfront.

Panamá City - the colonial Church of La Merced in the Casco Viejo.

Panamá City - a street scene in the Casco Viejo.

Panamá City - "El Gallo" and Plaza Francia, built in honor of the French, who were the first to attempt construction of the Panama Canal.

Panamá City - a view of the Casco Viejo area.

Panamá City - the ruins of Panamá Viejo, the original site of the city founded by the Spanish in 1519.  It was stormed by Drake in 1671, prompting the foundation of the modern city.

Boquete - this small town in the Chiriquí area in western Panamá near the Costa Rican border is a paradise of bright flowers, lush cloud forests, and coffee farms.

Chiriquí - a rushing waterfall by the side of the road.

Chiriquí - typical of the flowers in this area, which receives a fine steady mist called the 'bajareque'.  Combined with the rich volcanic soil, it is a plant lover's paradise.

Chiriquí - near Volcan Barú in Panamá's "Little Switzerland", just across from the border with Costa Rica.

Pacific coast beach, near David.  At the time of my visit (June), the beaches are generally deserted because of the stormy summer weather.

Portobelo - this settlement on the Caribbean coast was where treasure from the New World was put on ships bound for Spain in the colonial era.

Portobelo - Spanish fortifications protecting the harbor.  The town reached its peak in the late 16C and 17C.

Panama Canal - Gatún Locks.  Few people who view the canal for the first time expect its beautiful setting or the interest in watching the many ships pass.

Panama Canal - Gatún Locks, one of the sluice gates which regulate the flow of water between the Caribbean Sea and Lago Gatún.

Inside the Canal Zone, where everything looks just as it does in the U.S. (note the road sign).

Fuerte San Lorenzo, near Cristóbal.  One of the best preserved Spanish fortifications in the Americas, it dates from the late 16C.

Fuerte San Lorenzo - view toward the entrance of the Rio Chagres, which was subsequently diverted to form the main channel of the Panama Canal.

Map courtesy of Mapquest.