About Panama City
Panama City, Panama's capital, is a modern city framed by the Pacific Ocean and man-made Panama Canal. Casco Viejo, its cobblestoned center, contains colonial-era landmarks like the neoclassical Palacio Presidencial (aka Palacio de las Garzas) as well as bougainvillea-filled plazas lined with cafes and bars. From Miraflores Locks one can watch ships pass through the city's famed canal, linking the Atlantic and Pacific. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,440,381. The city of Panama was founded on August 15, 1519, by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias Dávila. The city has numerous tourist attractions. Particularly interesting for tourists are sites located in the old quarter, including: Las Bóvedas ("The Vaults"), The National Institute of Culture Building, and the Palacio de las Garzas (Heron's Palace).