Republic of
Panama
República de Panama
Some claim that Panama’s name comes from a native word meaning an “abundance
of fish.”
The area’s traditional music, called música típica, is played by a band consisting of a
singer and players with an accordion, a guitar, and drums. This music is usually about
love and life.
Rain forests cover about one-third of Panama.
In Panama, using a finger to draw a circle in the air means one is coming right back.
The national bird of Panama is the harpy eagle, a rare bird that eats monkeys,
opossums, porcupines, snakes, iguanas, and anteaters.
A ship traveling from New York to San Francisco can save 7,872 miles (12,669 km)
by using the Panama Canal instead of going down around South America.
More than a third of Panamanians live in poverty.
Flag
The blue and red sections represent the Conservative and
Liberal parties in Panama. The white suggests peace between
the parties, the blue star stands for purity and honesty, and the
red star represents law and authority. The current flag of
Panama was adopted on 20 December 1903.
National Image
Panama’s coat of arms features a shield. On the upper left-hand
side of the shield, a sword and a rifle hang, indicating that conflict
has come to an end. On the upper right-hand side, a shovel and
pick symbolize work. The middle area depicts the Isthmus of
Panama. In the lower left is a cornucopia, which represents
wealth. In the lower right is a winged wheel, which symbolizes
progress. The eagle holds in its beak a banner proclaiming Pro
Mundi Beneficio (for the benefit of the world), which refers to the
Panama Canal. Above the eagle’s head, the nine gold stars
represent the nine provinces that make up Panama.
Land and Climate
Panama is a mountainous country that connects Central and
South America. It’s on an isthmus (a narrow strip of land that
connects two larger land areas) called the Isthmus of
Panama. Panama covers 30,193 square miles (78,200 square
km), which means that it’s a little smaller than South
Carolina. The Panama Canal, a man-made structure, runs
from Panama City to Colón through Lago Gatún (Lake
Gatún). The Canal Zone (la zona) stretches between and
includes the two cities. Areas outside la zona are collectively called the interior (el
interior). The Cordillera Central (Tabasara Mountains) runs down the center of the
western interior. There are also mountains in the eastern interior. Rain forests cover
about one-third of the land. The tropical climate is hot and humid except at higher
elevations.
Population
Panama has 3.3 million people. Next to Belize, it has the smallest
population in Central America. Panama’s population is diverse. More
than two-thirds of Panama's citizens are mestizos (people of mixed
Native American and European descent). The population also includes
blacks (descendants of laborers from the Caribbean who came to work
on the Canal in the early 1900s) and whites (people of European
descent). The rest are members of various native groups who live
mainly in rural areas. The largest groups are the Kuna, Ngöbe-Buglé,
and Emberá (or Wounaan). Panama’s largest cities include Panama
City, San Miguelito, David, and Colón.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Panama, but many Panamanians are bilingual. Some
people speak English as their first language, and others speak it as a second language.
English is not commonly spoken outside of Panama City. Native groups speak various
languages, based on their ethnic background. Most common are Kuna, Ngäbere,
Emberá, and Ngöbe-Buglé. Ethnic minorities usually speak their native tongue and
Spanish.
Can You Say It in Spanish?
Hello
Hola
(OH-la)
Good-bye
Chao
(chow)
Please
Por favor
(POHR fah-VOHR)
Thank you
Gracias
(GRAH-see-ahs)
Yes
Sí
(see)
No
No
(noh)
Religion
The vast majority of Panama’s population is Roman Catholic. Most of the rest of the
population belongs to various Protestant churches. There also are small numbers of
Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Baha'is in Panama. Although the Catholic Church has great
influence on the lives of the people, Panamanian law guarantees freedom of worship.
Time Line
AD 1500
AD
1502
Columbus claims the region for Spain
1800
1821
Panama declares independence from Spain but then
joins a confederacy called Gran Colombia, which includes
Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
1831
Panama becomes part of Colombia after Gran Colombia
collapses
1846
Panama signs a treaty with the United States allowing
the United States to build a railway across Panama
1880s
1900
1903
France attempts to build a canal across Panama but fails
Panama declares independence from Colombia; canal
rights are sold to the United States
1907
1914
1939
1968
1977
1981
1983
1989
1992
1999
Construction begins on the Panama Canal
The United States completes construction on the
Panama Canal
Panama is no longer a protectorate (a country under the
control of a more powerful country) of the United States
General Omar Torrijos, commander of the National
Guard, seizes control of the country
The United States agrees to a treaty giving Panama
control of canal operations at the end of 1999
Torrijos is killed in a plane crash
Manuel Noriega, the leader of the National Guard, begins
to take greater control of the country
President George H. W. Bush sends troops to Panama to
replace Noriega as leader of Panama
Noriega is convicted of drag-trafficking charges and is
serving a 40-year sentence in a U.S. prison
Mireya Moscoso becomes the country’s first female
president; Panama takes full control of the canal’s
operations
2000
2006
Voters decide to support a plan to upgrade and expand
the Panama Canal
2007
Work begins on a project to widen the Panama Canal
PRESENT
Spanish Rule
Panama’s history has long been tied to its location between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Rodrigo de Bastidas, a Spanish explorer
who was sailing west from Venezuela in search of gold in 1501, was
the first European to discover the Isthmus of Panama. Before long,
Spanish colonies were established in the region. Unfortunately, many
of Panama’s native peoples were killed by the Spanish colonists and by
some of the unfamiliar diseases the Europeans brought with them.
Other natives were enslaved or simply fled the area. In 1513, Vasco
Núñez de Balboa led an expedition across the isthmus from the
Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. He was the first European to see
the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean, which he claimed for Spain.
Balboa’s discovery helped establish Panama as a useful link between the oceans. An
overland road called the Royal Road was built across the isthmus. As the Spanish
empire expanded, Panama served as the route for sending the treasures of
conquest—gold and silver—from Peru back to Spain. Spain also controlled trade in the
region. In 1821, Spanish rule was overthrown, and Panama became a province of
Colombia.
19th-century Panama
With the decline of Spain’s empire in America in the early 1800s,
Panama became part of the Republic of Colombia in 1821. In 1848,
gold was discovered in California. Prospectors from the eastern United
States who didn’t want to make the difficult overland journey across
the United States traveled to Panama by boat, crossed to the Pacific
Ocean by land, and then traveled to California by boat. So many people
took this route that a railroad was built across the isthmus. Although
thousands of workers died during construction of the railroad, the rail
line was completed in 1855 and became a boon to Panama’s economy
for a number of years.
Also during the 19th century, interest grew in building a canal across
Central America. Because of its location and relatively small size, Panama was a logical
choice for a canal. So Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French engineer who built the Suez
Canal in Egypt, formed a company that attempted to build a canal across Panama.
Construction began in 1882, but the project failed. Financial problems and poor
planning plagued the construction. And tropical diseases such as yellow fever claimed
the lives of more than 20,000 workers. The effort was finally abandoned in 1889.
Panama Canal
The dream of building a canal across Panama to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans had existed for centuries. But at
the beginning of the 20th century, the dream was about to
become a reality. With help from the United States, Panama
declared independence from Colombia in November 1903.
Shortly afterward, the United States acquired the rights to
build a canal across the isthmus. The United States would be
given complete control over the canal and the surrounding
area. Construction of the Panama Canal began in 1907 and
was completed in 1914. There were enormous obstacles to the construction, both
engineering challenges and the threat of tropical disease, but this time the problems
were overcome. The Panama Canal was a great engineering achievement. But many
Panamanians resented involvement of the United States in the region and its complete
control of the Canal Zone. In 1978, the U.S. Senate narrowly approved a treaty signed
by President Jimmy Carter that would allow Panama to take control of canal operations
in 1999.
Military Rule
Beginning in 1968, the military took control of Panama. After
only ten days in office, Panama’s president, Arnulfo Arias
Madrid, was removed, and the leader of the National Guard,
General Omar Torrijos, took control of the country. Although
he ruled as a dictator, most Panamanians now think of him
as a national hero because he helped the poor. Torrijos died
in a plane crash in 1981. Soon afterwards, another military
commander, Manuel Antonio Noriega, came to power.
Noriega removed leaders from office who opposed him and
ignored the constitution. Noriega’s rule in Panama became
increasingly oppressive, and relations with the United States
were strained. When a 1989 attempt to overthrow Noriega failed, the United States
sent troops to Panama because it was concerned about corruption, violence, and
Noriega’s threats against U.S. interests in the country. Noriega’s troops were defeated,
and he was taken prisoner. An elected government was put back in power. Noriega was
sent to the United States to stand trial for drug-trafficking. Convicted in 1992, he is
now serving a 40-year sentence in a U.S. prison.
Panama Today
In December 1999, Panama took full control of the Panama
Canal, which continues to make an important contribution to
the country’s economy. The government is now moving
ahead with plans to widen the canal to allow for more ships
to pass through. The government also wants to find a good
way to use the land and facilities that were once occupied by
the U.S. military before the United States left the region. Like
other countries, Panama has to deal with a variety of
problems, including poverty, illegal immigration, government corruption, and drug
trafficking. But progress is being made, and people remain hopeful.
Games and Sports
Some of the same sports that are popular in the United States are
also popular in Panama. That shouldn’t be surprising since the
United States had a presence in the country for such a long time
because of the Panama Canal. Baseball is one of the most popular
sports in the country. Futból (soccer) is also a favorite. Because
Panama is surrounded on both sides by water, there are a variety
of water sport options—swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving,
surfing, fishing, and sailing. Panamanians also enjoy going to horse
races, boxing matches, and cockfights. The twice-weekly national
lottery is extremely popular.
Holidays
Carnaval is a favorite holiday in Panama. It’s a four-day
celebration held prior to Ash Wednesday (usually in February
or March), which marks the beginning of Lent, traditionally a
time of fasting and sacrifice for Catholics. Carnaval is a time
when people wear colorful costumes and masks. They sing
and dance and parade in the streets. They eat and drink and
party. Friendly water fights, called mojaderas, are also a
popular tradition associated with Carnaval. People drench
each other with water, whether from water balloons, hoses, or buckets.
Food
In Panama, people often say that you haven’t eaten if you
haven’t had rice (arroz). Rice is served with nearly every
meal. It is eaten with eggs, chicken, beef, sardines, meat,
fish, potatoes, or beans. Corn and plantains (a starchy,
banana-like fruit) are also a big part of the Panamanian diet.
Fish is inexpensive and often made into a soup. People
usually eat vegetables as part of the main dish or in a salad.
The national dish of Panama is sancocho (a chicken stew).
Other common dishes include guacho (rice soup), bollo (corn mush that has been boiled
in corn husks), corn tortillas, and carne guisado (stewed meat with tomatoes and
spices). Arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) is eaten on special occasions. Fruit is eaten
often as a snack. Chicha, a popular drink, is made from fresh fruit, water, and sugar. A
variety of international foods are eaten in cities, along with traditional foods.
Schools
Panamanian kids are required to go to school between the ages of seven and fifteen. All
students attending public schools wear uniforms, usually blue and white. The school
year begins in March and ends in December, leaving January and February for summer
vacation. After completing primary school, most students go on to secondary education.
Some of these secondary schools emphasize academics while others focus on vocational
training (teaching students skills for industry or agriculture). Rural families sometimes
have difficulty sending their children to secondary schools—usually located in larger
towns—because they cannot afford to pay for daily transportation, uniforms and
supplies, or room and board in the city. More than a fourth of school-aged children
don’t finish secondary school. Those who do can go to a university or get additional
vocational training. Panama has a national university, established in 1935, a Catholic
university, and other institutions of higher learning.
Life as a Kid
After school, Panamanian kids participate in sports, the arts,
or they just hang out with family and friends. In the interior,
nearly all children help out with the household chores. Such
chores may include cooking and cleaning or cultivating and
harvesting the crops that the family has planted to eat or sell
in the upcoming year. Families who have cows expect their
children to help with the milking.
Government
President: Martin Torrijos
Panama is led by a president. The president serves a five-year term and cannot be
reelected. Two elected vice presidents assist the president in running the government.
The 78-seat Asamblea Nacional (National Assembly) makes the laws. Panama is divided
into 11 provinces and a territory. The president appoints governors for each province.
At the local level, communities elect a junta local (town council) to coordinate town
events. Each indigenous (native) group also has its own form of government. All
citizens are legally required to vote beginning at age 18.
Money and Economy
Panama’s economy has long depended on transportation and trade.
The Panama Canal, a major route for international trade, is an
important source of revenue for the country. Fees are charged for ships
to travel through the canal. Also, there are many jobs and businesses
associated with the canal—shipping, insurance, warehousing, banking,
construction and maintenance, and others. Tourism is also important.
Agriculture is a relatively small part of the economy in terms of
income, but Panama has many farmers who support themselves and
their families with what they harvest each year. They grow bananas,
rice, coffee, sugarcane, and vegetables. They also raise livestock.
There is a growing gap between rich and poor in Panama, with the
richest 10 percent controlling about one-third of the nation’s wealth. More than a third
of Panamanians live in poverty. It is difficult for many to find jobs. The official
Panamanian currency is the balboa, but Panamanians can also use U.S. dollars.
Getting Around
In cities, Panamanians get around by buses, chivas (minibuses), or taxis. In other
areas, people walk, use chivas or buses, or ride horses. The majority of Panamanians
do not own cars. Major roads include the Pan-American Highway and the
Trans-Isthmian Highway. Roads are generally in good condition, especially in and
around urban areas. A national lottery provides money to help build and maintain
roads. People also travel by airplane and by boat.
Wildlife in Panama
Panama has an astounding variety of wildlife. With more than nine
hundred bird species, two hundred mammal species, two hundred
reptile species, and one hundred amphibian species, Panama attracts
wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. Some animal species are
found only in Panama. It’s also known as one of the best bird
watching sites in the world. Some birds live in Panama year round
and others are simply migrating through the country on the way to
somewhere else. Panama is also home to one of the world’s most
powerful birds of prey, the harpy eagle. With a weight of up to 20
pounds (9 kg) and a wingspan of more than 6 feet (2 m), the harpy
eagle is powerful enough to hunt howler monkeys, capuchins, sloths,
and anteaters.
Learn More
Embassy of the Republic of Panama, 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008;
phone (202) 483-1407; website www.embassyofpanama.org. IPAT, Panamanian
Institute of Tourism; phone (800) 231-0568; web site www.visitpanama.com.
© 2009 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. All rights reserved. It is against
the law to copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by
any means without written permission from ProQuest.
Country Detail Map
Panama
The Panama Canal was built by the US
Army Corps of Engineers between 1904
and 1914. It allows ships to travel between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans without
having to go down around the
southernmost tip of South America.
CARIBBEAN SEA
C O S TA R I C A
Bocas del Toro
Colón
Lak e
Gatú n
P
s
re
ag
h
C
nal
a Ca
anam
Panama CityH San
Ch
Lake Bayan o
o
ep
Miguelito
Volcán Bar ú
C O R D I L L E RA C E N T R AL
La Palma
David
Chitré
ira
G U L F O F PA N A M A
Isla de
Coiba
COLOMBIA
Panama has nearly 500 rivers. Most
of them are too small to travel on by
boat, but the Chepo and the Chagres
provide hydroelectric power.
The highest point in Panama is Volcán
Barú, at 11,401 feet (3,475 m).
PA C I F I C O C E A N
© 2007 ProQuest-CSA LLC and Brigham Young University.
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