Panama’s official name is Republica de Panama. The capital is Panama. The currency they use is a Balboa. One US dollar equals one Balboa. Panama has a ruling party led by Democratic Change. It is supported by Patriotic Union Party, Panamenista Party, and National Republican Liberal Movement. The current president, Juan Carlos Varela, was elected in May 2014. He took office on July 1, 2014. The area of Panama is 77,082. They had a population of 3. 72 million people in 2012 (Panama: Nations 1444). The Constitution dates from 1972 and was reformed in 1983 and 1994. The form of state is a Presidential Democratic Republic.
The President elected is the head of state and government. The president is elected to a five year term and appoints the cabinet members. The cabinet is chosen by the president (1447). Panama’s main exports are garments, bananas, shrimp, sugar, and coffee (1449). Panama is a small country in Central America. It connects Central America and merica. It is an important trade location. The role it plays in trade was put into place by the construction of the Panama Canal by the United States in 1914. Panama’s culture is influenced by North America, Spanish, Native American, and African. Panama’s most significant contribution is music.
The National Anthem of Panama is “Isthmus Anthem” (Panama: Countries 116). The official language of Panama is Spanish. English is spoken fluently around the canal. Panama borders Costa Rica, Colombia, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean (118). Panama’s wildlife includes sloths, anteaters, tapirs, jaguars, and other animals common to North America (119). Car, van, bus and taxi are common modes of transportation in Panama (125). The University of Panama is a public college in Panama City. The University of Santa Maria la Antigua is a private school also located in Panama City (126). Fishing is
Panama’s second largest export (130). Panama’s soil is rich in clay. Crop land in Panama has to be fertilized. Panama exports beef. Cattle farms are located in savannas. Tropical rainforests have been cleared for cattle to graze and farmers to continue to raise beef (131). The Panama flag is divided into four equal quadrants. The colors of the flag are red, white, and blue. The red stands for Liberal, blue stands for Conservative, and the white stands for peace between the two political parties. One block is solid red representing the liberals. One block is solid blue representing the Conservatives.
There are two white block one with a blue star and one with a red star. The flag was adopted in December 20, 1903. The flag was designed by Panama Revolutionary Leader and first president, Manuel Amador Guerrero, and was made by his wife (Col 1). The Chief Executive of Panama is Ricardo Martinelli. The second Chief Executive is Juan Carlos Varela. The term length is five years (World 1). After serving as vice president for Martinelli, Juan Carlos Varela was elected president in May 2014 (Panama: Maps 1). The Attorney General is Ana Beflon Vejas. The Ambassador to the United States is Emanuel Arturo Gonzalez- Revilla Lince.
Panama became independent on November 3, 1903 from Colombia and from Spain on November 28, 1821 (CIA 1). Panama’s name comes from a former indigenous fishing village and its nearby beach. The beach was called panama which means an abundance of fish (CIA 2). The total area of Panama is 30,420 square miles. Panama has a population of 2. 77 million people. The population mainly consists of mestizo, white, and West Indian blacks. The four largest cities in Panama are Panama City, San Miguelito, Colon, and David. The Panama Canal was opened on August 14, 1914.
Panama signed treaty with the United States giving rights to control an area of the canal that is ten miles wide and fifty miles long. The Canal Zone played an important role in trade for most of the 20th century. The Canal was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. Panama is economically and politically dependent on the United States. Education in Panama started in 1903. Primary and Secondary education flourished in the 20th Century. Panama now has one of the highest literacy rates in Central America (Education 1). Panama has a rainy season that lasts from May to December. The rainy season is winter for Panama.
The short dry season, or summer, lasts from January to April. Panama serves as a land link between North and South America. Panama borders Colombia, Costa Rica, Caribbean, and Pacific Ocean. Panama has several mountains with lowlands on both coastlines. It also has wide areas of plains and rolling hills. Only a quarter of Panama is inhabited, the majority of people live around the Canal or in Panama City or Colon. Panama City and Colon control the entrance and exit of the Canal (World 1). Panama grows its own bananas, rice, corn, sugar, and coffee. Bananas are the largest export (Encyclopedia 1).
Guacho is served for breakfast and consists of red beans and rice. Meat, yams, yuccas can be added for more flavor. Tortillas, empanadas, and tamales are other popular dishes. Carima, roasted iguana, tapir, and monkey and served as treats (Panamanians: Food 1). Roman Catholic is the main religion in Panama. Protestantism and Islam are other common religions. Panama is about the size of South Carolina. Simple cotton garments, homemade sandals, and hand-woven straw hats are traditional clothing styles in Panama. Baseball is the most popular sport. Rod Carew, born in Panama, was inducted in The Baseball Hall of Fame.
Several Panamanians have played in the Major League Baseball in North America. Boxing, swimming, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding are common sports. Bull fighting is entertainment to the people of Panama (Panamanians 1). Carnival is a holiday celebrated in Panama. It is celebrated four days before Ash Wednesday in February. People dress up in costumes, listen to music, dance, and attend a Mardi Gras parade to celebrate. It comes to an end at dawn on Ash Wednesday with a mock ceremony called “Burial of the Sardine. ” Holy Week is celebrated in late March or early April. They dress up in costumes, dance, and perform drama to celebrate.
November 3rd and 28th commemorate Panama’s independence from Colombia and Spain (Panamanians: Major Holidays 1). Playa Las Lajas is a beach in Panama that stretches along eight miles of the Gulf of Chiriqui on the Pacific Coast. The water is perfect for swimming and surfing. Isla Taboga is located twenty kilometers away from Panama City. It was first settled in 1515. Native Panamanians populate the Pearl Islands. The Spanish Conquistadors ish Conquistadors discovered the value of pearls in 1500’s. The Amador Causeway is located at the entrance of the Canal. Panama City and The Bridge of the America’s can be seen from here.
Sendero Los Querzales is a five mile hiking trails. It takes between four and seven hours to complete. Santa Catalina is ideal for surfing and is located on the Gulf of Chiriqui. The San Blas Islands are located in Eastern Panama. They are home to the Kuna, the people view the area as their own. Coiba is home to more than 800 species of marine life. You can also snorkel and scuba dive along the Pacific Coast. The most popular place to visit is the Panama Canal and is the world’s greatest feat of engineering. You can cross the Canal, but it takes four to eight hours (Touropia 1).