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Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Bocas del Toro Research Center

Year

1970's

About 9,000 years ago, rising seas isolated this archipelago of mangrove-fringed islands off Panama’s Caribbean coast. STRI’s state-of-the art station in Panama’s Bocas Del Toro province draws scientists from around the world to study the species-rich marine and terrestrial habitats. The station hosts much of the institute’s scientific diving activities, allowing access to diverse coral reef and seagrass habitats. The station is also conveniently close to montane forests, lowland rainforests mangroves, and unique peat swamp forests.

Measurements

Gross Exterior Area:  approx. 43,000 sq. ft. Gross Interior Area:  approx. 41,000 sq. ft. 

Location

Bocas Del Toro is the westernmost province of Panama. Colón Island is one of the largest islands in Almirante Bay. The research station is located on a tiny isthmus that connects the large northern portion of Colón Island to the town of Bocas Del Toro, often referred to as Bocas Town. 

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