Penonome is Belly Button of the Americas

Map sellers at Albrook domestic airport will say that Penonome, a tranquil town in Panama’s western provinces, is the belly button of the Americas.

Located at 8.5 degree latitude and -80.36 degrees longitude on the Zarati River, Penonome could lay claim to being at the center of the landmass, if measured from the northern edge of Canada on the coast of the Beaufort Sea down to Cape Horn at the southern tip of the Latin American continent.

Penonome is the capital city of the Cocle Province and is a festive town that boasts the aquatic carnival, as well as the orange, tomato and sugar cane festivals.

The town’s name comes from the words “Penó Nomé.” Nomé was a chief of a local native American tribe who was put to death by the Spanish colonial officials. “Penó Nomé” therefore translates as “Nome was executed.”