Panama, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Panama
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 Panama
Location in California
Panama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Kern County |
| Elevation | 351 ft (107 m) |
Panama is a small place in Kern County, California, in the United States. It's what's called an unincorporated community. This means it's a neighborhood or town that isn't officially part of a city. Instead, it's managed by the county government.
Panama is located about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south-southwest of a bigger city called Bakersfield. It sits in a large, flat area known as the San Joaquin Valley, which is famous for its farming. The elevation of Panama is about 351 feet (107 meters) above sea level.
What's in a Name?
Panama wasn't always called Panama! Its first name was Rio Bravo. This name came from the Kern River, which flows nearby. In Spanish, the Kern River was known as Rio Bravo de San Felipe. Rio Bravo means "fierce river" or "brave river." Later, the community's name was changed to Panama.
A Bit of History
Even though it's a small community, Panama had its own post office for a short time. It was open from 1874 to 1876. This shows that even in the past, people lived and worked in this area, needing a way to send and receive mail.
