For other uses, see (disambiguation).

Panama (Spanish: Panamá, IPA ) is the southernmost country of Central America. A transcontinental country, its isthmus constitutes the southernmost part of a natural land bridge between the continents of North America and South America. It borders Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south.

Origin of the name "Panama"

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There are various stories about the etymology of the name "Panama". Some say that the name comes from an unspecified indigenous language, from words meaning variously "an abundance of fish" or "an abundance of butterflies". Another humorous tale states that the name comes from the indigenous kuna word "bannaba", meaning "farther that way", which is what the Kunas told explorers looking for gold. "Panama" is also the name of a variety of tree found in the isthmus.

History

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