Panama City is the capital and largest city of Panama . At the time of the 2010 census, it had 430,299 people. The city lies at the Pacific Ocean end of the Panama Canal and is a crossroads of world trade.
Panama City consists of widely different sections. A historic section occupies a peninsula on the Pacific coast. This section contains narrow streets and buildings that date from the late 1600’s. Spaniards built this section to replace the original Spanish settlement, which was destroyed by pirates. Ruins of the original settlement lie about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of the peninsula. Several treelined boulevards cross downtown Panama City. This area contains a broad promenade along the seafront. Interesting downtown buildings include the Palace of Justice, the Presidential Palace, and the historic Museo del Canal, or Panama Canal Museum. The nearby ATLAPA (Atlantic and Pacific) Convention Center, which can hold more than 10,000 people, overlooks the ocean. The Biomuseo, designed by American architect Frank Gehry , has exhibits about the history of the Isthmus of Panama and the region’s influence on world biodiversity. The Panama Metro, Central America’s first urban rail system, opened in Panama City in 2014.
The city’s wealthy people, who include descendants of immigrants from many countries, live in tall, modern buildings or in magnificent residences surrounded by tropical gardens. Most of these homes are located on the outskirts of the city and in the suburbs. Many poor Panamanians live in sprawling slums in the city.
Most workers hold jobs in government or international trade, or with the Panama Canal. Panama City is an important banking center, and more than 100 foreign banks have branches there. Tourism also is a chief source of income. The city’s industries include food processing and the manufacture of clothing. The Pan American Highway links the city with other parts of Central America, and with Mexico and the United States.
Panama City was founded in 1519 by Pedro Arias de Avila, a Spanish adventurer. In 1671, the English pirate Henry Morgan led 1,400 men against Panama City and destroyed it. But the city was rebuilt in 1673. The Panama Canal opened in 1914. It made the city a center for world trade.
