Recent Changes

The country is out of control there is a lot of violence.
Culture
Food: SimilarFood:Similar to Latin and shellfish.
Sports: Football
{http://www.everything-panama.com/images/ceviche2.jpg}
Sports:Football is the pretty popular.
{http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/77387655-panamanian-football-player-anibal-godoy-tries-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=oToYvXs3XPbg5%2BsLNpXWIcQlJH9%2FE3gOT4YgP5q9ML30%2Foyk8Bbv0f3Cc7tEHunD3qAfrT50UtJL1gsI9WYBgg%3D%3D}
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.
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.
{http://bocasdeltorohotels.panamatravelagency.com/files/2011/08/coral-cay-hotel-bocas-del-toro-restaurant.jpg}
{http://www.panama-guide.com/images/articles/20051007164213526_1.jpeg} {http://www.panama-guide.com/images/articles/20051007164213526_1.jpeg}
{http://c406850.r50.cf1.rackcdn.com/zip-line-canopy-tour.jpg}
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.
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
1. Why do you think that mosquitoes chose to have their breeding grounds in wet murky places like this?
2. Do you think that the Health Vectors should continue to put insecticides around construction sites even though it is bad for the environment?
3. What is a way that they could try to avoid having these types of conditions?
Works Cited
“Background Note: Panama” U.S. Department of State 26 March, 2012http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2030.htm

Panama
{http://www.photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/1435/1948Panama%27s_flag.jpg}
General Information
Capital City: Panama
Geography
{http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/camerica/panewzzz.gif}
armadillo, bat, coati, deer, opossum,
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%.
President:Ricardo Martinelli; Vice President: Juan Carlos Varela
What is the political climate like in the country?
there is alota lot of violence.
Culture
Latin American countires,countries, but not cooking is mailymainly done in Tennis and RigbyRugby are also
Holidays/Celebrations: Panama has a lot of the same holidays as we do, but there are a few that stand out in their country.
three wise mensmen journey following star of bethlehem.Bethlehem. They celebrate like to recieve.receive. They leave their old shoesesshoes down stairs before and thatsthat's where there prresentspresents will be park in mexicoMexico city, and Anniversary of independanceindependence from Spain, being very multculturalmulticultural and being the Caribbean, EuorpeEurope and America. music, reggae, ect.etc.
Art: Since The vast indigeonousindigenous cultures like made basket weavings,weaving, Embera masks
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.
{http://bocasdeltorohotels.panamatravelagency.com/files/2011/08/coral-cay-hotel-bocas-del-toro-restaurant.jpg}
{http://www.panama-guide.com/images/articles/20051007164213526_1.jpeg}
{http://c406850.r50.cf1.rackcdn.com/zip-line-canopy-tour.jpg}
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

Venezuela
of Venezuela
General Information
Capital city is Caracas
Unique Lighting Show
{http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I.4816875260805252&pid=1.7&w=249&h=155&c=7&rs=1}
At Miraflores presidential palace, in Caracas, the Russian delegation met with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, together with a committee coordinated by Petroleum and Mining Minister Rafael Ramirez, also president of state oil company PDVSA.
In the meeting, Rafael Ramirez explained that the first three agreements are linked to the formation of a joint venture company for oil exploitation in the Carabobo 2 North and Carabobo 4 West areas of the Orinoco Oil Belt in eastern Venezuela to be named Petro Victoria.
The Petro Victoria joint venture is an important agreement which will allow us to initiate the production of more than 450 thousand oil barrels per day between the Russian companies and PDVSA, in addition to the 450 thousand that we already have in Petro Miranda.
SOURCES
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108140.html
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=VE
http://suite101.com/article/top-venezuelan-exports-imports-a39902
http://venezuela.embassyhomepage.com/venezuelan_money_euro_currency_converter_venezuelan_banks_visa_credit_card_money_transfer_to_venezuela_traveller_cheques_thomascook.htm
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcvenezuela.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/venezuela/culture/
http://countrystudies.us/venezuela/12.htm
http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Venezuela.html
http://mostpopularsports.net/in-venezuela
http://travel.mapsofworld.com/venezuela/holidays.html
http://wanderingtrader.com/venezuela/best-things-to-do-in-venezuela-tourist-attractions/

General Information
{https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/pe-lgflag.gif}
Capital City: Lima (population: 9.11 million in metropolitan area)
Population: 30,054,400 (2012)
Amerindian (45%), Mestizo (37%), White (15%) African, Japanese, Chinese (3%)
Official Languages
{http://www.tradingeconomics.com/charts/peru-exports.png?s=prtrexpt} Spanish and Quechua
Major Exports
Fish Products
Minerals (gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead)
Agricultural (coffee, asparagus)
Petroleum Products and Textiles
Peru’s main trading partners are the United States European Union and China
{http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/south-america/peru/map_of_peru.jpg}
Geography
High and rugged Andes in the center of Peru
Western coastal plain
Eastern lowland Jungle of the Amazon basin
Climate
This can vary from tropical in the East to the dry desert of the West and it is temperate to frigid in the Andes
The country is only slightly smaller than Alaska and borders the countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador
Abundant minerals are found in the Andes and the fishing on the west coast support a lot of Peru’s Economy
History
Peru’s oldest civilization might have appeared about 6000 BC. However soon afer the Inca Empire took over and expanded their territory to the Andes. In 1532 Spain successfully invaded Cajamarca. Spain wiped out the Inca empire mostly through disease. Lima was established as a center for many political and administrative institutions. On July 28, 1821 Jose de San Martin of Argentina proclaimed the independence of Peru.
Government
A Constitutional Republic
The current president is Ollanta Humala
The political climate itself is not all that stable there has been riots on subjects like sustaining the economic growth of the country and racial affairs like colonial heritage.
Culture
Foods
Seafood is best on the coast, fish such as White Sea Bass
An Incan delicacy however; Roast Guinea Pig is served in the highlands of {http://b2b.meetplango.com/wp-content/gallery/inca-peru/Peru_15.jpg} Peru
Fiestas and Holidays
Any religious feast day is an excuse for live music, costumes, and vast quantities of alcohol. Fiestas can last for days or weeks. The most notable is Carnival week that usually takes place in February. The holidays are usually associated with a harvest of giving thanks to the sun or rain gods.
Music
Andean Peruvian Music is the native music of Peru. Some instruments used in Peru’s music are harps, lutes, guitars, bandurrias, and vihuelas. The national instrument is the Charango which is a type of mandolin.
Tourism
Peru is very popular for tourists being the home of the ancient Inca Empire
Arequipa-Colca Valley
“Ciudad Blanca” as it is widely know has many beautiful houses churches and monasteries. These are all constructed out of a white volcanic stone called –Sillar which is unique to the area. The city center is surrounded by a beautiful countryside. Arequipa is a ideal destination for anyone interested in colonial architecture, living culture and biodiversity.
Cuzco-Machu Picchu-Inca Trail
Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist site in Peru. Cuzco was the biggest city {http://htmlhelp.com/~liam/Peru/Cusco/MachuPicchu/young-llama-at-Machu-Picchu.jpg} and capital of the Inca Empire and was taken over by Spanish conquerors. It has architecture that combines the Inca with the Spanish style. Their town conserves with pride its customs and traditions.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca lines were constructed by the farmers to know and control the meteorological agrarian cycles is one theory to the lines. However there are many theories. The lines themselv {http://nicholasspyer.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/spider.gif} es are traced in the San Jose and Socos desert plains. They are animal, geometric and trapezoidal forms; some of these can only be seen in their entireness from an airplane.
Current Events
The Trade and Tourism minister of Peru has stated that during 2012-2014 investment in four and five star hotels will be more than 960 million dollars. These investments are thought to be very important says a reporter that there hasn’t been much investment in this area in a long time. In Lima 90% of the new hotel investment is aimed for the business market.
I think this is very important for Peru. Peru has a strong tourism market with attractions like Machu Picchu and the Nazca lines. I think it is important that you keep people wanting to come back over the years.
Works Cited
“A Brief History of Peru.” School Directory. SpainExchange.com. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/PE-history.htm
“Hotel Investments in Peru Seen at $960 Million During 2012-14.” Peruvian Times. PERUVIANTIMES.COM. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.peruviantimes.com/28/hotel-investments-in-peru-seen-at-960-million-during-2012-14/17036/
“Peru’s socio-economic climate.” Viva Travel Guides. N.P. N.D. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.vivatravelguides.com/south-america/peru/peru-overview/social-and-environmental-issues-in-peru/
“Top Ten Tourist Destinations of Peru.” Go2Peru. Comercializadora Electronica de Turismo S.A.C. 2000. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.go2peru.com/top_ten.htm
“Peru’s Exports” Trading Economics. Trading Economics. 2012. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/peru/exports
“Peru” Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Crown. May 2012. Web. September 30, 2012
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/country-profile/south-america/peru/

-Sports: As with most South American countries, soccer is the national sport. There are many sayings and figures of speech that revolve around soccer in Uruguay.
Tourism
{_46830683_montevideo_bbc.jpg} {http://www.everyculture.com/images/ctc_04_img1155.jpg}{http://www.touristspots.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Isla-de-Gorriti-300x191.jpg} {http://www.touristspots.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Casa-Pueblo-300x199.jpg}
Most of the scenic coastline. There isn't much else to see considering how most of the landscape is just plains and unmarked hills, other than the coast. Therecoastline.There are other of Montevideo. There is also the Isla de Gorriti, which not only has many beaches, but also very old naval forts. Another famous attraction is Casa Pueblo, a series of art galleries dedicated to Carlos Vilaro, a Uruguayan painter.
Current Events
In November of 2010, Alicia Castilla (68 yrs. old) moved to her new home in Uruguay. Several months later, 14 police officers burst into her house as part of a drug raid. She had 29 cannabis plants in her house that she had been growing (personal use of pot is not illegal in Uruguay, but growing the plant is). This launched a series of debates in South American governments about legalizing marijuana. Several bills were proposed and met with mixed thoughts. Some proposed that the government could tax and sell it to make a profit, while others said each household could have a certain number of plants. 2 years later, Alicia is released from prison. She is pleased that there is interest in the subject, but says she feels that putting a limit on how much people can have is unfair and too controlling. Many of the activists trying to get the drug legalized have argued that it funds much of the drug cartel gangs, and making it legal would not only make it safer and taxable, but it would also cut the funds available to the cartels. Many others are exploiting the fact that pot consumption is decriminalized, but growing the plant is not, and have created "Cannabis Clubs", which distribute the drug to their members, but they don't grow it.

Ometepe Island: largest lake island in the world. Madera and Concepcion-two active volcanoes that can be hiked.
San Juan del Sur: epicenter of beach tourism and foreign real estate.
{managua.jpg} Catedral de Santiago (Old Cathedral) {granada.jpg} Granada
Current Event: {greytown.jpg}
Recently, there was a rediscovery of a Caribbean ghost town in Nicaragua. A huge jungle surrounded the nearby Greytown in San Juan; this town called Greytown was a huge boomtown and hub for trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Even with a new airport and a more easy way of access to the ghost town, it is still a remote and exotic place that many people do not know about. San Juan hopes that his will strike a new buzz of tourism to the area, but hopes the hard rain in the tropical environment will not keep people from visiting this peaceful place. The main site of the attraction in Old Greytown is said to be the gravestones, because they are intriguing and yet, somewhat, haunting; they give little laughs to the tourists from the translated meanings of the engraving. One tourist says “It’s an experience that’s as authentic and edgy as Nicaragua itself.”

Ometepe Island: largest lake island in the world. Madera and Concepcion-two active volcanoes that can be hiked.
San Juan del Sur: epicenter of beach tourism and foreign real estate.
Current{managua.jpg} {granada.jpg} Granada {ompetepeisalnd.jpg} Ometepe Island {SanJuandeSur.jpg} San Juan del Sur
Current Event: {greytown.jpg}
Recently, there was a rediscovery of a Caribbean ghost town in Nicaragua. A huge jungle surrounded the nearby Greytown in San Juan; this town called Greytown was a huge boomtown and hub for trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Even with a new airport and a more easy way of access to the ghost town, it is still a remote and exotic place that many people do not know about. San Juan hopes that his will strike a new buzz of tourism to the area, but hopes the hard rain in the tropical environment will not keep people from visiting this peaceful place. The main site of the attraction in Old Greytown is said to be the gravestones, because they are intriguing and yet, somewhat, haunting; they give little laughs to the tourists from the translated meanings of the engraving. One tourist says “It’s an experience that’s as authentic and edgy as Nicaragua itself.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/09/29/3020735_p3/rediscovering-a-caribbean-ghost.html