Panama, Gulf of

a gulf of the Pacific Ocean, on the coast of Panama in Central America. The gulf cuts into the coast of the Isthmus of Panama for 140 km. It is 185 km wide at its mouth and about 250 km at its widest point; its maximum depth is 100 m. Within the gulf are the Parita Gulf in the west and San Miguel Gulf in the east. The Pearl Islands lie in the northeastern part of the gulf. The gulfs semidiurnal tides reach a height of 6.4 m. The Panama Canal begins on the gulf’s northern coast. Panama City and the port of Balboa are situated at the entrance to the canal.