The Fuerte Amador, or Calzada de Amador, is a short causeway of only six kilometers. The causeway links four small islands, Culebra, Flamenco, Naos, and Perico. Situated at the Pacific Ocean entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador was once used as a harbor for the old city of Panama, which was destroyed in 1671. Today it is a port destination for cruise lines, a recreational area for inhabitants, a hotbed of marine and biological research, and a reminder of the significance of the world's shipping trade.

Spanish Conquest

The history of Panama is long, with inhabitants documented as long as 10,000 years ago, and the four islands have been in existence since at least the days of the Spanish Conquest. In addition to serving as a port for Old Panama, the islands also served as a quarantine base and home for local fishermen.

Panama Canal

During the construction of the Panama Canal in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the islands were joined by soil and rocks removed during the Galliard Cut phase of the Canal's creation. The Galliard Cut was regarded as one of the most impressive feats of the building of the Canal. Once it opened in 1914, the Panama Canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in an engineering wonder. The once secluded islands became the center of the shipping universe.

Modern-Day Recreation

Today the Amador Causeway is a road and biking or walking path, just 15 minutes from the capital, Panama City. The Causeway is popular during the early mornings for a jog or a bike ride, and features close-up views of the entrance to the Panama Canal and of Panama City.

Holding true to the area's history, the Amador Marina on Flamenco Island is still a stop for many cruise ships. In 2008, approximately 40 cruise ships stopped in port. As traffic on the Causeway increased, so did the need for services such as bars, restaurants, diving and tour companies, and resorts such as the Fuerte Amador Resort and Marina.

Scientific Research

Since 1996, the island of Culebra has been home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI). STRI provides a facility for international researchers and scientists to study Panama's marine and biological richness. STRI is also open to the and provides education programs and exhibitions to local students.