Biomuseo

Situated prominently on the Amador Causeway at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, the Biomuseo was envisioned initially in 1999 when the canal and the land adjacent to it was handed back to Panama from the United States. Gehry, whose wife Berta is from Panama, came on board in 2002 and construction started three years later. But what should have been completed by 2011 stretched for three more years, thanks to changes in administration, funding issues, and an escalating budget. After a soft opening in July, the Smithsonian-affiliated museum is finally ready to open with exhibits in place, including "Panamarama," an immersive rainforest experience on multiple screens, and others emphasizing the country's biodiversity that arises from its unique position straddling two oceans.