Discover Panama: 15 Amazing Fun Facts That Will Surprise and Delight You!

1. Kermit's Toxic Couture

Behold the tiny Kermit of doom, dressed to kill in vibrant yellow couture: Panamanian golden frogs are armed with enough toxins in their fashion-forward skin to slay a staggering 1,200 mice, earning them the title of one of the most venomous amphibians on the planet.
Source => nationalzoo.si.edu

2. Ecuador's Panama Hat Heist

Ecuadorian head-turners in Panama: Before you jump to conclusions, we're talking hats! These bad boys not only stole the show but also inherited a misnomer during the Panama Canal construction. It turns out the famous Panama hat is actually an Ecuadorian native, dating back over 500 years. With ancestral ties to Inca statues and safeguarding heads from the scorching sun, it was Teddy Roosevelt's well-documented fashion choice during his canal supervision in 1906 that misattributed the origin, giving these Ecuadorian delights their global claim to fame.
Source => panamahats.co.uk

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=> Fun Facts about Costa-Rica

3. Gatun Dam's Former Glory

Not just 'dam' big, it was 'dam' impressive: The Gatun Dam, once the largest earthen dam in the world, controlled the Chagres River in quite a spectacular fashion and held the title of the largest artificial body of water until it was overshadowed by Fort Peck Dam and later, the Hoover Dam.
Source => montclair.edu

4. Centennial Bridge's Beanstalk Battle

Bridging the gap between traffic and trepidation, Panama's Centennial Bridge was a comedy of errors before it became the knight in shining armor for stranded commuters: Opened in 2004, this cable-stayed colossus spans 1,052 meters across the Panama Canal with towers so tall (184 m) they'd make Jack's beanstalk green with envy! It now relieves congestion on the Bridge of the Americas and safely carries six lanes of traffic on the Pan-American Highway while large ships gleefully sail beneath.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Grand-Mola Auto: Inner Picasso Unleashed

Who knew that "Grand-Mola Auto" would have the power to bring out your inner Picasso? In Panama, the Kuna Yala villagers create intricate mola designs from stacked layers of cloth: Authentic molas in the San Blas Islands are handmade, so one must check the stitching to distinguish hand-stitched pieces, which are more valuable. While visiting the island resort, be sure to pack plenty of one dollar bills for mola purchases, and to tip the locals for photos and tours.
Source => tripadvisor.com

6. Casco Viejo: Gossip Central

If walls could talk, Panama City's historic quarter would surely have some juicy gossip - or perhaps a telenovela-worthy tale to tell: Casco Viejo, the lone UNESCO World Heritage Site in Central America, boasts a mix of Spanish colonial architecture and French-style townhouses that transport you right into a glamorous bygone era.
Source => worldtravelguide.net

7. Funky Beats and Anti-Colonial Flex

In Panama, funky beats and vibrant festivals are not only about festive spirits but also a massive flex against Spanish colonialism: nearly one in four Panamanians identify as Afro-Panamanian, with a thriving culture showcased through events like the Festival del Cristo Negro, celebrating their African ancestry while paying tribute to the Black Christ, El Nazareno.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

8. Uncle Sam's Canal Farewell

Once upon a canal, Uncle Sam pulled up anchor and sailed off into the sunset: In 1999, the United States relinquished control of all its military bases in Panama, effectively dissolving the Panama Canal Zone and leaving the nation fully in charge of its own destiny.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Gold Frog's Lucky Bling

Consider this: if Kermit the Frog and King Midas had a lovechild, it would probably look like the Panamanian Golden Frog, which comes with its own built-in "bling" and a touch of good fortune: The critically endangered Panamanian Golden Frog is the national animal of Panama and a symbol of hope and prosperity. Though rarely sighted in the wild, its image is still widely used on various products and as a lucky charm, even featuring on Panamanian lottery tickets.
Source => lucky-charms.org

10. Panama's Botanical Family Drama

If you thought your family tree was confusing, you haven't seen anything yet: Panama has more than 3,000 tree species that belong to a whopping 141 families and 752 genera, with the majority of these leafy giants measuring at least 10 meters tall and 16.2% of them facing endangerment due to their limited range.
Source => forestecosyst.springeropen.com

11. Soy Seco: Tipsy on Tradition

Who needs rum and vodka when you can tell people "Soy Seco!" and expect to get tipsy?: Panama's national alcoholic beverage, Seco Herrerano, is triple distilled from sugarcane and can replace rum or vodka in mixed drinks. Developed in 1908 by a diligent brewing family, this spirited concoction may be sold with a chaser like cola or condensed milk. Cheers to good times and clever Panamanian libations!
Source => winechateau.com

12. Hojaldres: Fried Laughter for All

Bread, butter and bloomin' hilarious: Panama's hojaldres will have you frying in laughter as you munch on these deceptively addictive fried breads, no matter the time of day or night. The serious reveal: Not just a breakfast staple, they're delicious when paired with sausages, cheeses, or even sugar, and their simple dough recipe dates back to Spanish influence and Latin America's fervor for fritanga, resulting in a scrumptious world of fried bread varieties across the globe, from Uruguay and Colombia to Argentina and India.
Source => 196flavors.com

13. The Great Wall of Panama Plate

Who said the Great Wall of China has to stay put in China? The Panamanians begged to differ and decided to build their own – on a plate: Panama's culinary landscape is deeply rooted in Chinese influences, thanks to historical Chinese migration. Classic dishes such as arroz chino (fried rice) and empanadas chinas (fried dumplings) are now Panamanian gastronomic staples, even boasting their own unique Panamanian twists on traditional Chinese cuisines in most local restaurants.
Source => relofirm.com

14. Panama's Time-Change Tango

While Panama's neighbors tango with their clocks twice a year like a confused adult playing musical chairs, Panama maintains the moves of a serene wallflower: the country does not observe Daylight Saving Time and keeps its clocks unchanged year-round.
Source => timeanddate.com

15. The Hat Bamboozling of Panama

Hold on to your hat, Panama – you’ve been bamboozled! Turns out the iconic Panama hat is secretly an Ecuadorian double agent: Originating more than 500 years ago in Ecuador, these stylish chapeaus gained fame and false branding while shielding construction workers from the sun during the Panama Canal's construction. To this day, Cuenca, Ecuador remains a hub for crafting these sly sun-blockers using age-old weaving techniques and traditions.
Source => panamahats.co.uk