Panama’s Physical Landscape

Like other small countries in Central America, Panama’s topography creates a diverse physical landscape in which to live. Expatriates living in Panama have a range of environmental options if they choose to retire abroad in this country. Today, Panama’s physical landscape makes it one of the more popular retirement destinations in Central America.

Panama’s Physical Landscape: Size and Location of Panama

Panama is located at the southern tip of Central America between Costa Rica to the north and Colombia to the south. The Caribbean Sea lies to the east of the country, with the Pacific Ocean to the West. The country lies just north of the Equator, providing the retiree with a tropical environment for expatriate living.

The size of the country is approximately 75,000 square kilometers making it slightly smaller than the state of South Carolina. The country contains nearly 2,500 kilometers of coastline, providing any retiree with ample opportunities for seaside living.  The country is perhaps most well known for the Panama Canal that connects the Pacific with the Atlantic Ocean.

A Panama retirement can be simple ...

Like other countries in Central America, one of the attractive features about Panama as a retirement destination is its close proximity to the United States. Combined with a lower cost of living and tropical beaches, Panama emerges as one of the best places to retire in the Western Hemisphere.

Panama’s Physical Landscape: The Geology of Panama

Much current thinking suggests that Panama first began as an archipelago of islands formed from volcanic activity on the Caribbean tectonic plate. Over geologic time, this archipelago slowly moved into it’s current position connecting North and South America and dividing the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean. Over time, volcanic activity and continued uplifting of the plate filled the gaps between the islands, forming the land bridge between the two continents.

Panama is located in a geologically active zone, but not quite as active as neighboring Costa Rica. Volcanoes are extinct and earthquake activity tends to be moderate in nature. There is only minimal geologic risk for anyone who is considering a Panama retirement.

Panama’s Physical Landscape: Major Regions of Panama

Central Region: A backbone of mountain ranges runs down the length of Panama, with the exception of a natural gap lying in the central region of the country. The western part of the country is dominated by the Cordillera Central with elevations up to about 5,000 feet. Two other smaller mountain ranges run across eastern Panama. The Serrania de San Blas and Serrania del Darien have elevations that rise up to about 3,000 feet.

... or a Panama retirement can be quite elegant

Located between these mountain ranges, one encounters a gap between the mountains along which the Panama Canal was constructed. This is the region where the majority of the population, economic activity, and infrastructure is located.

Western Interior: lying to the west and southwest of the central region is a somewhat drier region (Cocle and Veraguas provinces) that supports agriculture and livestock production. Major economic activities in this more semi-arid regions include ranching and crafts.

Western Highlands: to the northwest, Panama’s landscape is mountainous and covered with tropical rainforest (Bocas del Toro). To the southwest (Chiriqui province), the volcanic highlands support more temperate crops such as coffee and strawberries.

Eastern Panama: to the east of the central region, Panama is covered with a relatively dense rainforest and is not heavily populated.

Coastal Regions: the coastal lowlands (Caribbean and Pacific coasts) are major areas for economic activity such as fishing, tourism, and housing development. This region is characterized by plains and low lying hills.

Cooler mountain living

Panama’s Physical Landscape: The Climate of Panama

Panama’s climate is warm and humid. In the lowlands, typical temperatures average 90 F during the day and about 70 F at night. At higher elevations, temperatures drop into the 50-65 F range, depending on the location and elevation.

The rainy season is from May to January.

Panama’s Physical Landscape: Natural Resources of Panama

Panama’s rainforests are a natural resource that provide timber and have potential for environmental tourism. Hydroelectricity has also been developed along major riverways but the country remains dependent on oil imports for energy use.

Perhaps the most valuable resource in the country remains the natural gap between the mountain ranges along which the Panama Canal was built. The ocean going traffic passing through the canals remain a major part of the national economy and supports a wide range of industries directly and indirectly.

Panama’s Physical Landscape: Summary

Anyone considering a retirement abroad in Panama, will find a typical tropical environment in which to live. Coastal areas offer many beaches and harbors for those seeking an ocean front retirement. The climate is generally warm and humid year round except for the higher elevations.

The Panama Canal continues to support many industries, and the infrastructure in this region is relatively well developed. Environmental risks are relatively minor, with an occasional earthquake and tropical storms being the greatest risks for expatriate living.

(Map by GoogleMaps, Photos by Murielle, Carlos Ve, Dandypants)

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