Ancon Hill is a steep 654-foot hill which overlooks Panama City, Panama. It is one of the most recognizable and beloved landmarks in the country.
It was under U.S. jurisdiction as part of the Panama Canal Zone for much of the 20th century; and therefore, was never developed like most of the surrounding urbanized parts of the city. As a result, it became a kind of an “island” of jungle in an urban area, where wildlife still survives cut off from other jungle areas.
It is not uncommon to see sloths, coatimundi, armadillos, Geoffroy’s Tamarins or deer on Ancon Hill, which status is now protected. Its name is used as an acronym by a Panamanian environmental group, “Asociación Nacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (ANCON)”.
The lower slopes contained residences and Gorgas Hospital. Higher up at Balboa Heights, were the residence of the Governor of the Canal Zone, and Quarry Heights, where the U.S. Southern Command was located.
Quarry Heights was named for being adjacent to a large rock quarry on one side of the hill, which left a visible cliff face on one side. The hill contains an abandoned underground bunker once manned by the U.S. Southern Command.
At the top are two broadcast towers and a small road that reaches them. One way vehicular traffic is now allowed during daylight hours. Hikers can use the road to reach the summit, and it is a popular jogging and hiking trek. Along the path, all manner of vegetation and birds can be seen, including large number of orchids (all of which are protected by CITES).
When Panama regained control of the hill following the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, one of the first things the country did was fly a large oversized Panamanian flag atop the hill.
Below are several pictures of this green icon of Panama City which still strikes a chord in Panamanian nationalistic psyche. Here we go.
A landscape photograph of Ancon Hill taken from the Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama. (Credit: Omar Upegui R./Michael Moore)
Another digital version of previous photograph. Notice the Panama flag waving on top of the hill. (Credit: Omar Upegui R./Michael Moore)
An artistic creation of Ancon Hill made by Michael Moore, a professional photographer. (Credit: Omar Upegui R./Michael Moore)
When you travel to Panama and see this big hill covered with thick vegetation right in the middle of the city, you will know that it’s Ancon Hill. It will not be a total stranger. Good Day.
I enjoyed this series.
Hi Abe:
Thank you. Coming from a professional photographer like you, I feel honored.
Have a beautiful day in Brookville,
Omar.-