Geography
Panama Quiz
The canal that changed world trade, two oceans, and a famous hat that isn't from here.
The canal that changed world trade, two oceans, and a famous hat that isn't from here.
The Panama Quiz is a free online quiz that tests your knowledge of Panama with 50 questions covering the Panama Canal, biodiversity, history, and Panamanian culture. The Panama Canal saves ships approximately 12,875 km compared to sailing around South America.
Each round presents 10 randomized questions from a pool of 50, with four multiple-choice options and instant feedback after every answer. Your final score comes with a performance tier and shareable results.
You'll explore the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, Panama's S-shaped isthmus connecting North and South America, the biodiversity of its rainforests including more bird species than the US and Canada combined, the country's fascinating history from Colombian independence to the Canal Zone, traditional dishes like sancocho and patacones, and the surprising truth about Panama hats.
The Panama Canal uses a system of locks to raise and lower ships 26 meters above sea level to cross through Gatun Lake. Ships enter a lock chamber, which fills with water to lift them up or drains to lower them down. Each transit uses approximately 197 million liters of fresh water and takes 8 to 10 hours to complete.
No, Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador. They got their misleading name because they were widely sold in Panama to canal workers and travelers passing through. The hats gained international fame when Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing one during his visit to the Panama Canal construction site.
The Darién Gap is a roughly 100-km stretch of dense jungle and swampland on the border of Panama and Colombia. It is the only break in the Pan-American Highway, which otherwise runs from Alaska to the tip of South America. The gap remains unconnected due to environmental concerns, indigenous rights, and the extreme difficulty of building through the terrain.
Last updated: March 2026