THE CARIBBEAl^J AREA — PANAMA 



Pacific Coast 



The entire Pacific coast of Panama lies within the Tropical Zone and the climate is 

 hot and humid with abundant rainfall. The principal climatic factor is the North Pacific 

 high pressure area. 



The Pacific coast of Panama runs in a general east-west direction. Starting at 

 Burica Point, the border with Costa Ftica, the coast runs northward and then eastward to 

 form Bahia Charco Azul (David Bay). This Bay lies between Punta Burica and Isla Parida 

 30 miles away and has an approximate extension of 16 miles into the hinterland. The western 

 shore of the Bay is high but the northern shore is low and cut by several rivers. There is a 

 sandy beach. Good anchorage is to be found in the bay and there is deep water close inshore 

 on the western side. Puerto Armuelles in the northwest comer of the bay is quite well 

 sheltered and it has shipping facilities for bananas, coffee, cattle, and other products. A 

 network of narrow^guage railroads connects it with various interior points in Chiriqui Province. 



The delta of the Chiriqui River lies in the eastern side of the Bahia Charco Azul north- 

 ward of Isla Parida. It is formed by a number of small, low islands that entend 17 miles 

 froa Boca Sen Pedro on the west to Boca Chica on the east. These islands are interconnected by 

 entensive shoals which break heavily. 'VTithin the islands, the low coast is a labyrinth of 

 small streams and esteros. Small boats may navigate the waters to reach Pedregal which in 

 turn is connected to Ciudad de David by highway and by rail. The largest islands are Isla 

 Sevilla, Isla San Pedro, and Isla Parida, These are well wooded and have grassy areas for 

 grazing cattle and horses. Many smaller islands and rocks practically surround Isla Parida. 

 From the eastern part of the Chiriqui Delta region, the coast trends east-southeasterly for 

 about 25 miles to Boca de Santiago. This coast line is broken by several streams. From 

 March to November there is a south-westerly swell which beats on this portion of the coast. 

 Puerto Nuevo is an estuary formed by the mouths of the Rio Santa Lucia, Rio Santiago and a 

 number of smaller streams. This port is protected in all directions and it affords excellent 

 protection for small vessels with depths of seven to eight fathoms over a nud bottom. A 

 number of islands, mostly wooded, are found in this general area. Small vessels, drawing up 

 to lour feet can reach the port of Remedies on the Rio Santa Lucia. 



Between Punta Entrada, the southern limit of Puerto Nuevo and Puerto Guarida, at the 

 entrance of Bahia Honda, 23 miles to the south-southwest, the coast is very irregular, being 

 intersected by several rivers and indented by a number of small bays. The principal bays 

 are Ensenada Pajaros, Ensenada Rosario, and Ehsenada ifonita. All these are open and exposed 

 to west vdnds. Offshore are the islas Secas and the Islas Contreras — small rocky islands — 

 some of them wooded. They offer secure anchorage for small vessels. Off Bahia Honda are the 

 islands of Medidor and Csinal de Afuera, both offering anchorage for small boats. 



Bahia Honda is an excellent harbor, for it is deep, safe, capacious, and easy of access. 

 There are extensive mud banks at the eastern end of the bay, but elsev/here, the shores are 

 relatively steep-to. Isla Talon occupies the central part of the Bay. Depths gradually 

 decrease from 20 to 25 fathoms near the entrance to five fathoms eastward of Isla Talon. 

 Much of the bottom is green mud. 



Southwest about 15 miles from Bahia Honda is the Isla Coiba, the largest island off 

 this coast. It is about 21 miles long and has a maximum vddth of 13 miles. Tlie interior is 

 quite mountainous and is forested, but there is some swampland on the west coast. Several 

 anchorages are available but no good harbors exist where shelter from all winds is afforded. 

 The island has been used as a penal station and good water is plentiful. Numerous rocks 

 and smaller islands occur aronnd Isla Coiba. The J.argest of these is Isla Jicaron wnich is 

 heavily wooded and high. Westward of Isla Coiba is Hannibal Bank and still further west 

 Isla Montuosa. Ihere are a number of rocks in the immediate vicinity. 



The coast between Bahia Honda and Punta Erava, the western entrance point of Bahia 

 Montijo, 20 miles to the east-southeastward is rugged and has several detached rocks lying 

 off it. Th^-re are no good bays in this section. 



Baliia Uontijo is about 17 miles long from north to south and 5 to Li miles wide. Near the 

 middle of the bay is Isla Leones, and near the head of the bay and along the shores are 



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