Panama City, Panama, is located in the east-central part of the country, and Panama City is near the Pacific Ocean. With a population of 477,328 people, this city is the most populous city in Panama, and with a population of this size, Panama's capital has 112,366 more people than the second most populous city (San Miguelito). Panama City, known as La Ciudad de Panamá in Spanish, has a size of 38.5 square miles (or 100 square kilometers), and it is only 20 kilometers from the Panama Canal.
Panama City, Panama used to be an Indian fishing village; in fact, the name Panama translates to "many fish". After being colonized in 1519 by Gov. Pedro Arias Dávila, and then again in 1674 by Alonso Mercado de Villacorta, a Spanish conquistador, Panama found itself in a political and economic decline. In 1751, Panama City and the rest of Panama became a part of Colombia, and Panama was extremely disordered from then until the 19th century. In 1903, Panama declared independence from Colombia, and Panama City was named the capital of the now-independent country. Panama began to see extreme economic growth and development with the construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914), and trade exploded.
Today, Panama City is by far the largest and most developed urban population in the country of Panama. The city's economy heavily depends on financial services and activities associated with traffic in the Panama Canal, and Panama City has become an important international finance center. Even throughout this economic growth and development, the city still houses reminders of Colonial times: these reminders include several plazas, the cathedral, and the San Francisco Church.
Today, Panama City is by far the largest and most developed urban population in the country of Panama. The city's economy heavily depends on financial services and activities associated with traffic in the Panama Canal, and Panama City has become an important international finance center. Even throughout this economic growth and development, the city still houses reminders of Colonial times: these reminders include several plazas, the cathedral, and the San Francisco Church.