Ancón, Panama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ancón
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Corregimiento
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Building that houses the headquarters of the Panama Canal Authority and the George W. Goethals Monument
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 Ancón
Location in Panama
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| Country |  Panama |
| Province | Panamá |
| District | Panamá |
| Area | |
| • Land | 204.6 km2 (79.0 sq mi) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 29,761 |
| • Density | 145.5/km2 (377/sq mi) |
| Population density calculated based on land area. | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
Ancón is a special area, or corregimiento, in Panamá City, Panama. It's home to about 29,761 people (as of 2010). Ancón is often seen as a neighborhood or small town within the larger Panama City.
One of its most famous features is Ancon Hill. This big hill looks over Panama City. Long ago, it helped protect the city from pirates and attacks from the sea. The town of Ancón first grew around this hill. It was built to house the workers who were building the amazing Panama Canal.
During the canal's construction, a famous hospital, Gorgas Army Hospital, was built on the hillside. The very first ship to officially travel through the Panama Canal, the SS Ancon, was even named after this area! Ancón kept providing homes for Panama Canal workers until 1980. After that, parts of it slowly became part of the Panamanian government, thanks to the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
Today, Ancón is mostly a place where people live. The old Gorgas Army Hospital building is now the Panamanian Oncology Hospital, which focuses on cancer research. You can also find Panama's Supreme Court and several Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute buildings here. These buildings are used for studying tropical plants and animals. Ancón is also a parish, or parroquia, located right next to the Panama Canal.
Contents
Ancón's History: A Place of Transit
The area where Ancón is located has always been important for travel. Since the Spanish arrived in Panama in 1501, people dreamed of building a path between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. This dream finally came true with the building of the Panama Canal.
When the Panama Canal was controlled by the United States, many offices, military bases, and communities were built nearby. These areas were part of what was called the Panama Canal Zone. Later, these lands were given back to Panama under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
Ancón as we know it today was created in 1979. This happened when new rules were made for how the returned areas would be divided. The areas on the Pacific side became part of Ancón. The areas on the Atlantic side became part of Cristobal in the province of Colon. Many buildings in Ancón still show a strong American architectural style from that time.
Ancón's Economy: A Hub of Activity
Ancón is very important for Panama's economy because of its location. Most of the offices and services related to the Panama Canal are found here. For example, Balboa, which is part of Ancón, is home to Panama City's port. This port is a busy place where ships load and unload goods.
Many buildings that were once U.S. military bases are now used by Panamanian government and other organizations. A great example is the City of Knowledge. This is a major science and technology park located where the old Fort Clayton used to be.
Besides its importance for trade and shipping, Ancón is also growing in services and tourism. It has the Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport, which is a local airport. It also has the Grand National Transportation Terminal, a big bus station. And for shopping, there's Albrook Mall, which is the largest mall in Panama!
Cool Places to Visit in Ancón
Ancón has many interesting places to explore.
- Parque Natural Metropolitano: This is a huge jungle park just a few minutes from the city. It's a great place to see nature.
- Ancon Hill: This is the highest point in Ancón. You can get amazing views of Panama City from here.
- Panama Canal Authority Building: This famous building, often called the Administration Building, is where the Panama Canal is managed.
- Amador Causeway: This is a popular spot for tourists. It's a road that goes over the sea, connecting three small islands in the Pacific Ocean. You can find marinas, restaurants, bars, and even nightclubs here.
- Figali Convention Center: This is a large center used for events and conferences.
- Museum of Biodiversity: Designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry, this colorful museum teaches visitors about Panama's amazing plant and animal life.
See also
In Spanish: Ancón (Panamá) para niños
