Karl WP Beyer One of the lasting cruise memories will undoubtedly be a trip through the Panama Canal. The shipping route connects the Pacific with the Atlantic, more precisely the Caribbean Sea. Panama City is on the Pacific side; on the Caribbean Sea the port and provincial capital Colón. In the following we will deal with Colón, a destination for cruise ships.
Interesting facts about the country of Panama
Panama is the narrowest part of Central America's land bridge. The country borders Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. 74.177 million people live on an area of 4,2 square kilometers, which is slightly larger than the area of Bavaria. Most Panamanians live in the densely populated areas of the Pacific region and around the Canal Zone.
Panama City skyline
The bird's eye view gives an idea of the country's diverse geography. The Central American Cordillera, which runs through Panama from west to east, is remarkable. Its highest mountain at 3.475 meters is the Barú volcano. In the northwest of the country in the Caribbean Sea lies the Bocas del Toro archipelago, whose beaches are a tourist destination. On the Pacific side, the Azuero Peninsula protrudes far into the Pacific Ocean. Pastures and agricultural land predominate in this region. In the adjacent Canajagua Mountains, erosion has formed unusual cone-like hills. In the southwest of Panama lies the Sarigua National Park, an 8.000 hectare semi-desert. Dense jungle threatened by settlers can be found in the east of Panama, in the province of Darién.
Rio Chagres near Gamboa
Panama's coastline is rugged. Bays and fjord-like incisions characterize the landscape. Small and medium-sized rivers run through the country. The country's large lakes are remarkable. Particularly noteworthy here are Lago Gatun, which is part of the Panama Canal, and Lago Bayano, located 100 kilometers east of Panama City.
Cargo ships in Lake Gatun
Panama Canal
Panama's motto “Pro Mundi Beneficio” (For the Good of the World) hits the nail on the head. The Panama Canal is a blessing for world shipping and for the country. Instead of having to make huge detours around the often storm-stricken and extremely dangerous Cape Horn, or taking the alternative route through the Strait of Magellan, merchant ships choose the canal that connects the Caribbean Sea in the north with the Pacific Ocean in the south. The route from New York to San Francisco is shortened by the canal passage from 30.000 kilometers to around 10.000 kilometers.
Panama Canal - Miraflores Lock and Visitor Center
Panama Canal - Miraflores Lock and Miraflores Lake
Panama – economic concerns
According to the German Chambers of Commerce Abroad - AHK, the country of Panama has the most globalized economy in the entire region. Strong growth impulses are coming from the Panama Canal and its ports in the north and south of the country in particular. The country has free trade and special economic zones. According to AHK, the Colón free trade zone is the second largest in the world Hong Kong.
City of Colon
The city of Colón is named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The city was originally an important port and trading center and an important tourist destination because of the canal locks. Colón achieved free port and free trade zone status in 1953.
Colón
It should be assumed that the capital of the province of Colón with its 159.000 inhabitants (source: Census August 2023) is prospering. However, this is not the case. Since the late 1960s, Colón has been in economic decline. With the introduction of freight containers, the port experienced major changes as many jobs in the port were lost. The unemployment rate is currently hovering around 40 percent. The poverty is oppressive and the crime rate is high. This has led to travel guides advising against visiting Colón.
In the meantime, respectable investments have been made in the areas of the commercial port, the hotel industry, the energy industry and refineries. To what extent they lead to changes remains to be seen.
Colón 2000 – Destination of the cruise ships
Colón has a pier close to the city, the Pier Colón 2000. The Cristobal Pier is hardly used anymore. More than 2025 ship calls are planned for 80.
Colón 2000 - Cruise ships
Colón - Ships anchored in the Caribbean Sea
The Colón 2000 terminal building offers travelers lounge areas, an internet café, shopping facilities, restaurants and boutiques. Otherwise the city offers few sights. Colón is the starting point for excursions to the surrounding area, the Panama Canal Zone and to Panama City. We report on excursion activities below Colon attractions.
Update May 2024