Geography of Panama

Panama is an isthmus bordered by Costa Rica to the Northwest and Colombia to the East. The Caribbean Sea is north and the Pacific Ocean south. It is a long and narrow country linking Central and South America. A mountain chain stretches almost its entire length. The highest peaks are the volcano Baru in the west (3,475 m) and Mount Tacarcuna (1,875 m) in the east.

Panama’s coastline stretches 2,866 km with many islands off its shores. At Panama’s narrowest point, the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific is only 31 miles (51.4 km.) Panama has hundreds of rivers flowing into both oceans.

Panama is safer than any other Central American country in regards to volcanoes and because of its location is also spared the hurricanes that affect that part of the world.