9781422286586

13

The Isthmus Cut by the “Path Between the Seas”

Quick Facts: The Geography of Panama

Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W Area: (slightly smaller than South Carolina) total: 78,200 sq. km land: 75,990 sq. km water: 2,210 sq. km borders: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km, coastline: 2,490 km Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid,

cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior–mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas–largely plains and rolling hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcán de Barú 3,475 m Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Source: CIA World Factbook 2015

rainfall along the Caribbean shoreline provides for a tropical rainforest. In general, Panama has two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to May, and the rainy season from May to December. Rainfall is heavier on the Caribbean side of the highlands, though most people live on or near the Pacific coast. Temperatures are typically hot in the lowlands—between 70 and 90° F (21 to 32° C)—and cool in the mountains—between 50 and 64° F (10 and 18° C). These vary little throughout the year.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. What mountain range is found in western Panama? 2. What two large island groups are off the coast of Panama?