THE CiUUBBEAI^ AREA — . PANAMA 



several islands. Two large rivers, Rio San Pedro and Rio San Pablo discharge into the bay- 

 above Isla Lecnesj several smaller streams, also, enter and the effluents of these rivers 

 make the waters of the bay muddy. The entrance to the bay is screened by Isla Gobernadora, 

 and Isla Cebeco. Both are high and surrounded by shoals. There is good shelter for vessels 

 in the bay. the bottom is of mud and grey sand. 



From Punta Duartes, the eastern entrance point of Bahia konti.jo, the coast trends south- 

 ward to Punta liariato. There are some isolated rocks and small islands. Small vessels may 

 find shelter at several points, namely Bahia Arenas and near Punta Naranjas. 



From Punta Mariato to ilorro Puerces, 27 miles, the shore is bold and steep-to. From 

 March to November, it is impossible to land on this coast. 



rVom Morro Puercos to Cape Mala, 29 miles, there are a numoer of bights. The coast is 

 low and fronted by moderate depths. There are a number of small rocks near shore and a few 

 off-ljrLng islets. There is a fairly extensive area of bank alongshore. 



The Gulf of Panama is liuited by Cape Mala on the west and Pinas Point on the east. 

 The distance between these points, from east to west is 108 miles and within this line the 

 Gulf recedes to the northward 92 miles. At the head are the bay and city of Panama, Balboa, 

 and the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal. The Isthmus of Panama encircles the Gulf. 



Tliere are a large number of islands in the Gulf. The Islas Mona and Otoque from one 

 group; Tobago, Urava and Tobaguilla another; Flamenco, Perico, Naos and Culebra a third; 

 and the Archipelago de las Perlas a fourth. 



From Cape Mala, the coast runs northwestward and thence northeastward to form Parita 

 Bay. This bay has low shores covered with mangroves and is fronted bymud flats. There are 

 a number of small rivers entering it. From Parita Bay the shore trends northeastward to 

 Punta Chame and it is formed by a continuous beach, named Playa Grande, which fronts a low 

 wooded bank. There are extensive shoals all along the coast. 



From Punta Chame to Bruja Point, ther is a shoal bay v/ith several outlying banks and 

 rocky islets. There are mangroves along almost the entire coast except where bluffs 

 interrupt. Eahis Chame is nearly filled with large mud banks. Punta Chame is low and 

 sandy. Between it and Cabra Loma Baink there is a harbor with from three to eight fathoms 

 of water. From Chame Point to the head of Panama Bay, shoal water is found and the shore 

 is low and mangrove covered. There are numerous islands and rocks. At the head of Panama 

 Bay is Balboa Harbor and the entrance to the Canal. Balboa offers complete facilities for 

 vessels and is a center of transportation. From the Canal the shoreline passes the harbor 

 of Panama City wiiich is shallow and open. The bottan is mud and there are numerous reefs 

 and shoals. The coastline extends eastward for about 25 miles to the Rio Chepo. Shallov/s 

 occur all along the shore. The Rio Chepo has the Isla Chepillo at its mouth and is navigable 

 for some distance upstream. There are several small villages in the vicinity. Depths are 

 very shoal in this area with extensive sand and mud banks. 



From Isla Chepillo to Rio Chiman, a distance of 32 miles, the coast is low and covered 

 with msuigroves. There are several shallow streams. Extensive mud flats, drj^ at low water, 

 extend from one to three miles from the coast, and outside the flats is a shoal bank with the 

 outer edge about eight miles off. From Rio Chiman the coast trends south-eastward. Tne 

 rivers of Trinidad and Buenaventura enter the ocean at this point. There are some isolated 

 rocks and islets on the coast. Some areas oi shallows occur and the sea beats heavily on 

 them at times, 



Baiiia San Miguel is 14 miles wide between Punta Brava and Punta Garachine and recedes 

 about 20 miles to the eastward. A flat with five to eight fathoms extends across the 

 entrance. Inside the bay, depths increase. The waters are generally discolored by mud 

 brought dovm by the rivers entering the bay, and, during the rainy season these streams 

 carry large floating trees which menace navigation. There are numerous islets, rocks and 

 shoals with narrow tortuous channels between them. The bottom is chiefly of mud. The town 

 of La Palma is found inside the bay, on the south side. Two large rivers, the Sabana and 



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