The southernmost country in Central America, Panama is located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow land bridge that connects North and South America. Approximately the size of South Carolina, Panama is a tropical nation known for its natural beauty, diverse plant and animal life, and vibrant music and culture. Once a part of Colombia, Panama left its neighbor to the east when Colombia rejected a U.S.-led plan to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today, more than 14,000 ships pass through the Panama Canal each year, carrying more than 200 million tons of cargo. Complete with full-color photographs and maps, Panama delves into the history, culture, economy, government, and geography of the land referred to as The Bridge of the World.