# Panama City

> capital of Panama

**Wikidata**: [Q3306](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3306)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_City)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/panama-city

## Summary
Panama City is the capital of Panama, situated in the Panamá District within the region of Central Panama. Founded on August 25, 1519, by Pedro Arias Dávila, it serves as the political and administrative center of the country. The city is a significant urban hub with a population of approximately 1.54 million people as of 2026 and is recognized internationally as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Panamá (also known as Ciudad de Panamá).
- **Classification:** Instance of a city, metropolitan area, and big city.
- **Location:** Central Panama, Panamá District. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Panama Canal.
- **Coordinates:** 8.971°N, 79.534°W.
- **Area:** 275 square kilometres.
- **Elevation:** 20 metres above sea level.
- **Time Zone:** UTC−05:00.
- **Inception:** August 25, 1519.
- **Founder:** Pedro Arias Dávila.
- **Population:** 1,540,000 (2026 census determination).
- **Head of Government:** Mayer Mizrachi (term start: 2024).
- **Capital Of:** Panama, Panamá District.
- **UN/LOCODE:** PAPTY.
- **Postal Code:** 0801.
- **Local Dialing Code:** 507.
- **Official Language:** Spanish.
- **Website:** https://mupa.gob.pa/ (Spanish).
- **Social Media:** Twitter (@panamamunicipio), Facebook (panamaalcaldia), Instagram (alcaldiapanama), TikTok (@alcaldiapanama).
- **Identifiers:** WOEID 159386, GND ID 4262523-3, GeoNames ID 3703443.

## FAQs

**Where is Panama City located?**
Panama City is located in the country of Panama, specifically within the Central Panama region and the Panamá District. It sits at an elevation of 20 metres, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and the Panama Canal.

**When was Panama City founded?**
The city was founded on August 25, 1519, by the Spanish explorer Pedro Arias Dávila.

**Who is the current leader of Panama City?**
As of 2024, the head of government (Mayor) of Panama City is Mayer Mizrachi.

**What international organizations is Panama City a member of?**
Panama City is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network designated as a City of Gastronomy (2017) and the Organization of World Heritage Cities.

**What are the sister cities of Panama City?**
Panama City maintains twinning agreements with numerous cities including Taipei (1989), Incheon (2000), Tel Aviv (2013), San Diego (2014), Barranquilla (2017), Imabari (1977), Callao (2011), Fort Lauderdale, Guadalajara, Miami, Paita, Mexico City, Madrid, and Manila.

## Why It Matters
As the capital and largest urban settlement in Panama, Panama City serves as the nation's primary hub for government, culture, and commerce. Its strategic location near the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean underscores its historical and ongoing importance in global trade and logistics. The city's designation as a City of Gastronomy highlights its cultural significance, while its inclusion in the Organization of World Heritage Cities points to its historical value. With a population exceeding 1.5 million, it is the demographic heart of the country.

## Notable For
- **Historical Foundation:** Established in 1519, making it one of the older colonial settlements in the Americas.
- **Strategic Location:** Situated adjacent to the iconic Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean.
- **Cultural Recognition:** Designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2017.
- **Global Connections:** Maintains sister city relationships with over a dozen major cities worldwide, including Taipei, Tel Aviv, and Miami.
- **Demographic Scale:** A "big city" and metropolitan area with a projected population of 1.54 million (2026).
- **Digital Presence:** Active governance presence on social media platforms including verified accounts on Twitter.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Panama City is located in Central Panama, falling within the administrative boundaries of the Panamá District. The city's geographical coordinates are approximately 8.97°N latitude and 79.53°W longitude. It occupies an area of 275 square kilometres and rests at an elevation of 20 metres above sea level. The city is notably positioned next to major bodies of water, specifically the Pacific Ocean and the Panama Canal, which defines its geopolitical and economic landscape. The local timezone is UTC−05:00.

### History and Foundation
The city was officially founded on August 25, 1519, by Pedro Arias Dávila. It has a documented history that is described by various historical sources, including the *Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia*, *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, and the *1911 Encyclopædia Britannica*. The "timeline of Panama City" is a specific subject associated with the entity's history.

### Governance and Administration
Panama City functions as the capital of both the country of Panama and the Panamá District. The official language of the administration is Spanish. The local government operates under the leadership of Mayer Mizrachi, who began his term as head of government in 2024. The official website for the municipality is https://mupa.gob.pa/. Administrative identifiers include a postal code of 0801 and a local dialing code of 507.

### Demographics
Based on a census determination method with a point in time set for 2026, the population of Panama City is recorded as 1,540,000. The entity is classified broadly as a "city," "metropolitan area," and "big city."

### International Relations
The city is an active participant in international municipal networks. It has been a member of the **Creative Cities Network** since 2017, specifically designated as a **City of Gastronomy**. It is also a member of the **Organization of World Heritage Cities**.

Panama City has established a wide network of twinned administrative bodies (sister cities):
- **Taipei** (since 1989)
- **Incheon** (since 2000)
- **Tel Aviv** (since 2013)
- **San Diego** (since 2014)
- **Barranquilla** (since February 2017)
- **Imabari** (since 1977)
- **Callao** (since 2011)
- **Fort Lauderdale, Guadalajara, Miami, Paita, Mexico City, Madrid, Manila** (dates not specified)

### Media and Visual Documentation
The city is visually documented through various media assets:
- **Skyline & Views:** Images available include panoramas, nighttime views, and aerial views (e.g., "Panama city Skyscrapers.jpg").
- **Symbols:** It has an official flag and a coat of arms ("Coat of Arms of Panama City").
- **Maps:** Detailed maps and locator images are available in Wikimedia Commons categories.

### Digital Presence and Identifiers
Panama City maintains a robust digital footprint across various platforms and knowledge bases:
- **Social Media:**
    - Twitter: @panamamunicipio (Verified, start time 2011)
    - Instagram: @alcaldiapanama
    - TikTok: @alcaldiapanama
    - Facebook: panamaalcaldia
- **Knowledge Base IDs:** The entity is indexed in numerous databases including VIAF (142673786), GND (4262523-3), GeoNames (3703443), FAST (1205586), and Quora (Panama-City-Panama).
- **Cultural Indices:** It has a MusicBrainz Area ID, an archinform location ID (8374), and a WordNet 3.1 Synset ID (08757345-n).

### Cultural and Linguistic Aliases
The city is known by various names and aliases across different languages and regions, including "Panamá," "Ciudad de Panamá," "Ville de Panama," "パナマシティ" (Japanese), "巴拿马城" (Chinese), and "Панама-Сити" (Russian). The native label is "Panamá."

## References

1. [Source](https://mupa.gob.pa/alcalde-de-panama/)
2. archINFORM
3. [Source](https://www.barranquilla.gov.co/desarrolloeconomico/relaciones-internacionales/acuerdos)
4. [Source](https://www.panama.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/11_000001_00872.html#:~:text=El%203%20de%20marzo%2C%20el,C%C3%A1mara%20de%20Comercio%20de%20Imabari.)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://www.ovpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/liste-villes-en-regle-pour-page-web12-03-2024.pdf)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. MusicBrainz
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. GeoNames
11. BBC Things
12. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-s5fss8/Panam%C3%A0/?zoom=19&center=8.97077%2C-79.53417&popup=8.97087%2C-79.53423)
13. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
14. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)