Panama's Tropical Paradise a "hub of biodiversity"

(CNN) A hotbed of biodiversity, Panama's tropical habitats are home to some of the most diverse and exotic species of plants and animals on Earth.

Covering almost half the century's land surface are immense tracks of rain forests, mangrove wetlands and mountain clouds. Even the country's cosmopolitan capital of Panama City boasts a forest within its city boundaries - one of the last tropical forests in Central America.

In all, the country houses over 10,444 different types of plant species including 1,200 orchid varieties, 678 fern species and 1,500 varieties of trees. As well as 255 species of mammals and 972 indigenous bird species, according to the National Society for the Protection of Nature, Panama.

The reason for such ecological abundance is the country's prime geographical position. Dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea, the country serves as a "biological corridor," connecting both North and Central America. This, makes Panama a "hub of biodiversity." "The Isthmus of Panama and Central America arose over three million years ago through volcanic activity and has served as a bridge ever since - allowing land and freshwater species to migrate from north to south and vice versa."

The most famous part of this "corridor" is the Darien Region. Forming the easternmost part of Panama and boarding Colombia, the almost impenetrable wilderness of the Darien Region is perhaps most famous as a hiding ground for guerrillas, narcotics traffickers and paramilitary forces. But despite the negative connotations, it is one of the most biodiverse areas in the entire world." Due to its remote location and lack of infrastructure, the area has remained a haven for countless species, home to haguars, giant anteaters, harpy eagles and American crocodiles as well as sheltering various tribes of remote indigenous groups.

It is a constant battle to keep developers at bay. The region is definitely one of the most inaccessible areas of the country, but there is always talk about opening it up and constructing a road through it. What science and research has clearly indicated is that as soon as you cut a road through any fires it unfolds a chain of deforestation. Colonizers come in and extractive industries start to com in. The Panamanian government says it plans to keep the Darien Gap closed.

But not all areas remain safe. Various mining companies have announced future drilling operations in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, while the authorities plan to build the "Gran Costanera," a new road along the Caribbean cost - most of which is still forested.