Gabriel Btesh provides us with information about his favorite city.
Gabriel Btesh has long been a major proponent for the betterment of Panama City through the construction of modern, and for good reason: it is an absolutely beautiful city, worthy of the higher quality of life that people like Gabriel Btesh are helping to bring to them. Gabriel Btesh wants everyone to learn more about his favorite city, and so he’s put together some fun facts and interesting notes that may intrigue you. If you only have a cursory knowledge of Panama City, you’re bound to learn something new.
When most people think of Panama City, one of the first things that will come to mind is undoubtedly the Panama Canal. It’s no secret that the Panama Canal is one of the greatest attractions in the area, but did you know that the Canal accounts for a massive portion of yearly revenue? In general, income generated by the canal is around $2 billion dollars. Gabriel Btesh says this is a result of the massive toll fees depending on the weight of the ship’s cargo and the fact that between 13,000 and 14,000 ships pass through the canal every year, at a rate of about 35-40 per day. The locks on the canal were upgraded in 2016, allowing for even larger and heavier ships to cross.
Originally, the idea to build a canal through Panama was approached by the French, beginning in 1881. Unfortunately, they were unable to finish the project, and in 1894 after several attempts at completion, construction ceased. In 1904 the United States took on the task of the majority of the planning and construction, and in 1914, the Panama Canal was officially completed.
Before the canal was installed by the US in the 1910s, it would take two weeks for vessels to steer around South America—now, it takes them about 8 hours to cross through. Another interesting fact about the Panama Canal, Gabriel Btesh tells us, is that only official Panama Canal Pilots are authorized to captain the boats through the canals. Upon entry of the canal, an employee of the Panama Canal Authority takes over control of the boat until the vessel exits.
Panama City is also the only city in the world that has a rainforest within its city limits. The Parque Natural Metropolitano (or, in English, Metropolitan Natural park), like any rainforest, is extremely biologically diverse and unique. Unique species of puma, tamarin, tapir, and caimans can all be found within.
Gabriel Btesh also points out that the name “Panama” supposedly derives from the Indian definition: “an abundance of fish”. This hasn’t been proven, but most historians can agree that it most likely has its roots in the truth. All you have to do is look towards the Tuna Coast—home to deep-sea fishing channels barely an hour out from shore. Named for its tendency to house enormous schools of yellowfin tuna, the Tuna Coast is also home to black marlin, dorado, pacific sailfish, billfish, fighting fish, roosterfish, and much much more depending on the time of year you decide to try your luck.
As Panama City continues to thrive, Gabriel Btesh hopes the rest of the world will take notice and appreciate the beauty of one of the best places on Earth as much as he does.
