Population: 3,405,813. 50.3% live in Panama Province
Demographics: Life expectancy: 74 Years (men), 79 Years (women)
Religion: 84% Roman Catholic, 15% Protestant, 1% Other
Official Language(s): Spanish
Major Exports/Industries: $725 Million with salmon and tuna as the largest. Followed by beef, watermelon, shrimp, and pineapples.
Geography
What is the land like? Most of Panama is think rain forest, with occasional patches of savanna or prairie. On the wet Caribbean coast, the forest is evergreen, while on the drier pacific side the forest is semi-deciduous. There are over 9,900 different species of flowering plants including the national flower the Holy host Orchid. Mammals inhabiting the isthmus are the anteater, armadillo, bat, deer, opossum, peccary, raccoon, tapir, and many varieties of monkey. Reptiles, especially alligators, are numerous along the coasts. Bird life is rich and varies according to which birds migrate over. Fish abound, with the Pacific coast being a favored region for sport fishing. In 2002, there were at least 218 species of mammals and 302 species of birds throughout the country.
How does its geography affect its economy? The Panama canal became significant in the development of the global economy because it was able to reduce overall shipping cost and transportation time because they ships could just cut right through. The Canal generates nearly $1.8 Billion of net revenue for Panama.
Weather and climate. Tropical from 66-81 Degrees, with average daily rainfall of 178mm in Panama City. Humidity is very High averaging 80%.
Brief History The earliest tribes know to be in Panama were the Cuevas and the Coclé Tribes. But they were killed off be disease and fighting by the time the Spanish arrive there in the 1500’s. Rodrigo de Bastia’s was the first European to explore the Isthmus. Christopher Columbus visited a year later and established a short-lived settlement in the Darien. In 1513 Balboa discovered that the isthmus was indeed the path between the seas, soon after that panama became the crossroads and marketplace of Spain’s empire in the New World. Panama was a part of the Spanish empire for 300 years (1538-1821). Even though it is very diverse in race and a highly stratified society, it is all pulled together by the unifying force of nationalism.
Government/Current political situation What type of government does Panama have?
Representative Democracy, with three branches of government: executive and legislative branches elected by direct vote for 5-year terms, and an appointed judiciary.
Who is the current leader?
President:Ricardo Martinelli; Vice President: Juan Carlos Varela
What is the political climate like in the country?
The country is out of control there is a lot of violence.
Culture
Food:Similar to Latin American countries, but not as spicy. Corn is very often found in Panamanian dishes. Also cooking is mainly done in oil. Other specialties are fish, seafood and shellfish.
Sports:Football is the most popular sport in Panama. They set the bar very High and there team only has the best of the best. Golf is one of the biggest past times, and Panama is home to the best championship course in Central America. Tennis and Rugby are also pretty popular.
Holidays/Celebrations: Panama has a lot of the same holidays as we do, but there are a few that stand out in their country.
Dia de los tres Reyes Magos, January 6th; The three wise men day, this is the day they remember the three wise men journey following the star of Bethlehem. They celebrate this day by the children writing letters to the wise men asking for presents that they would like to receive. They leave their old shoes down stairs the night before and that's where there presents will be in the the morning. Then the next day everyone meets in the Alameda, a beautiful park in Mexico city, and they open their presents and get their pictures taken with the three wise men. So in a way it is much like our Christmas. They also celebrate days like,All Souls Day, November 2; Flag Day, November 4; Anniversary of independence from Spain, November 28; and Christmas Day, December 25.
Music: Panama is known for being very multicultural and being very diverse. There are people from Spain, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and America. And the type of music that is played in Panama is based on its people groups, so it is very diverse in sound and style. Just some of the very popular music themes would be, Salsa, Merengue, bachata, Pop, Rock, en Espanol, US hits, Tipico folkloric music, reggae, etc.
Art: Since Panama is so diverse the type of artwork that they create resembles just that. The vast indigenous cultures like the Wounaan and Embera tribes made basket weaving, Embera masks Chacara bags, and mola crafts, just to name a fewhttp://www.panart.com/
Tourism I would recommend the beautiful Bocas del Toro! This is where 18 countries have all filmed their Survivor series, right next to the Caribbean Panama. This is one of Panamas top tourist attractions with its beautiful beaches and the amazing rainforests. The waters are aqua blue and they are right next to the white sand beaches. Some things to do while you’re up there is to go surfing, Take the Bocas Highlight tour, Sky rainforest Zip line Tour, Go to Red frog beach, Diving and snorkeling, and Nature tours! Just to name a few. But just a tip, you might want to know some Spanish before you go visit.
The next place you would need to check out would be the historical Panama Canal. Without the Panama Canal vessels trying to travel to the pacific oceans would have to go south around the tip of South America. But because of the canal they can cut right through Central America and save money and time. The Canal was built by the United States and was finally completed in 1914. The canal is over 48 miles long from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The average income for the canal in 2011 was around $2 billion. So make sure to go visit the historical side of Panama.
Current Event
Not everything that you can grow here is good
Recently while the Fontanella del Mar construction project in San carols has been in the works it has often rained very hard every other day, causing mud puddles in everything from ditches, to inside old tires on the ground. The Ministry of Health hates situations like these because where ever that little mud puddle is, is a breeding ground for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. And if it can find a person to bit, it can also spread yellow fever. The Health vectors have been putting out insecticides to help prevent this, but it has caused environmental side effects. Even though it would be better to just try to avoid these types of conditions altogether. Even at your house if you have a flower pot with a small plate under it that harbors water, you can get a ticket from a vector control officer.
Panama
General Information
Geography
Brief History
The earliest tribes know to be in Panama were the Cuevas and the Coclé Tribes. But they were killed off be disease and fighting by the time the Spanish arrive there in the 1500’s.
Rodrigo de Bastia’s was the first European to explore the Isthmus. Christopher Columbus visited a year later and established a short-lived settlement in the Darien. In 1513 Balboa discovered that the isthmus was indeed the path between the seas, soon after that panama became the crossroads and marketplace of Spain’s empire in the New World.
Panama was a part of the Spanish empire for 300 years (1538-1821). Even though it is very diverse in race and a highly stratified society, it is all pulled together by the unifying force of nationalism.
Government/Current political situation
What type of government does Panama have?
Who is the current leader?
What is the political climate like in the country?
Culture
Food:Similar to Latin American countries, but not as spicy. Corn is very often found in Panamanian dishes. Also cooking is mainly done in oil. Other specialties are fish, seafood and shellfish.
Sports:Football is the most popular sport in Panama. They set the bar very High and there team only has the best of the best. Golf is one of the biggest past times, and Panama is home to the best championship course in Central America. Tennis and Rugby are also pretty popular.
Holidays/Celebrations: Panama has a lot of the same holidays as we do, but there are a few that stand out in their country.
Music: Panama is known for being very multicultural and being very diverse. There are people from Spain, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and America. And the type of music that is played in Panama is based on its people groups, so it is very diverse in sound and style. Just some of the very popular music themes would be, Salsa, Merengue, bachata, Pop, Rock, en Espanol, US hits, Tipico folkloric music, reggae, etc.
Art: Since Panama is so diverse the type of artwork that they create resembles just that. The vast indigenous cultures like the Wounaan and Embera tribes made basket weaving, Embera masks Chacara bags, and mola crafts, just to name a few http://www.panart.com/
Tourism
I would recommend the beautiful Bocas del Toro! This is where 18 countries have all filmed their Survivor series, right next to the Caribbean Panama. This is one of Panamas top tourist attractions with its beautiful beaches and the amazing rainforests. The waters are aqua blue and they are right next to the white sand beaches. Some things to do while you’re up there is to go surfing, Take the Bocas Highlight tour, Sky rainforest Zip line Tour, Go to Red frog beach, Diving and snorkeling, and Nature tours! Just to name a few. But just a tip, you might want to know some Spanish before you go visit.
The next place you would need to check out would be the historical Panama Canal. Without the Panama Canal vessels trying to travel to the pacific oceans would have to go south around the tip of South America. But because of the canal they can cut right through Central America and save money and time. The Canal was built by the United States and was finally completed in 1914. The canal is over 48 miles long from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. The average income for the canal in 2011 was around $2 billion. So make sure to go visit the historical side of Panama.
Current Event
Not everything that you can grow here is good
Recently while the Fontanella del Mar construction project in San carols has been in the works it has often rained very hard every other day, causing mud puddles in everything from ditches, to inside old tires on the ground. The Ministry of Health hates situations like these because where ever that little mud puddle is, is a breeding ground for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread dengue fever. And if it can find a person to bit, it can also spread yellow fever. The Health vectors have been putting out insecticides to help prevent this, but it has caused environmental side effects. Even though it would be better to just try to avoid these types of conditions altogether. Even at your house if you have a flower pot with a small plate under it that harbors water, you can get a ticket from a vector control officer.
http://www.thepanamanews.com/pn/v_18/issue_08/lifestyle_06.html
Works Cited
“Sports in Panama” gowealthy 30 September, 2012http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/travel/sports/Sports-in-Panama-1233150556604.html
“The Three Wise Men are Coming!” Inside Mexico http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurereyes.htm
"Panama Canal” Virtual Panama 27 Septemeber, 2012http://www.virtualpanama.com/panama-canal.asp