Panama Tips

The Panama Canal

panamatips — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:32:40 +0000

The Panama Canal is a man-made canal which joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. One of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, it had an enormous impact on shipping between the two oceans, replacing the long and treacherous route via the Drake Passage and Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. A ship sailing from New York to San Francisco via the canal travels 9,500 km (6,000 miles), well under half the 22,500 km (14,000 mile) route around Cape Horn. Although the concept of a canal near Panama dates back to the early 16th century, the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership. After this attempt failed and saw 21,900 workers die, the project of building a canal was attempted and completed by the United States in the early 1900s, with the canal opening in 1914. The building of the 77 km (48 mile) canal was plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides. By the time the canal was completed, a total of 27,500 workmen are estimated to have died in the French and American efforts.

Globalization

panamatips — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:54:26 +0000

The high levels of Panamanian trade are in large part from the Colón Free Trade Zone, the largest free trade zone in the Western Hemisphere. Last year the zone accounted for 92% of Panama’s exports and 64% of its imports, according to an analysis of figures from the Colon zone management and estimates of Panama’s trade by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Panama’s economy is also very much supported by the trade and exportation of coffee and other agricultural products.

Science

panamatips — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:40:49 +0000

The main scientific institution in Panama is Panama Academy of Sciences in the city of Panama (section 1748), affiliated to the Royal Spanish Academy. Of the 6 operating in Panama research institutes it is crucially important to the Research Institute for Tropical Smithson (enclosure 1946, conducted by the Smithsonian Institution), leading multidisciplinary research on tropical regions of South America. It operates a state university in the city of Panama (section 1935), Catholic university of Santa Maria de Antigua (section 1965) for Central America and 6 of higher vocational schools.

More destinations

panamatips — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:20:34 +0000

* Bocas del Toro – group of islands off the Caribbean coast, protected by coral reefs (no waves)
* Isla Taboga – Island, a boat-hour drive from Panama City.
* Archipelago of San Blas (Kuna Yala) – group of islands in the north-east of the country in the Karibikkueste, consisting of some 400 islands
* Boquete – small town in the highlands, north of David. Known because of the cool climate and as a grown coffee
* Miraflores Locks – about 10 miles from Panama City, with visitor center, museum and viewing platform
* El Valle – the mountains west of Panama City in a volcanic caldera, with pleasant climate and zahlriechen destinations
* Azuero Peninsula – Peninsula west of Panama City. The landscape is intensively used but offers many interesting towns and archaeological sites.
* Nata – small provincial town with a church worth seeing. Nata is one of the oldest cities in Panama.
* El Caño – as an open-air museum and archaeological site with a small museum near Nata: It is a shrine and burial place pre-Columbian era. Archaeological excavations provided a horse funeral and Spanish ceramic artefacts that are still in the years before the discovery of the “South Seas” by 1513 include Balboa.

Independence

panamatips — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:54:44 +0000

On 3 November 1903, Panama seceded from Colombia. The US gunboat Nashville prevented the Colombian military from sailing to Panama. An assault through the dense Panamanian jungle was impossible. The President of the Municipal Council, Demetrio H. Brid, the highest authority at the time, became its de facto president, appointing a Provisional Government on 4 November to run the affairs of the new republic. The United States, as the first country to recognize the new Republic of Panama, sent troops to protect its economic interests. The 1904 Constituent Assembly elected Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero, a prominent member of the Conservative political party, as the first constitutional President of the Republic of Panama.

In November 1903, Phillipe Bunau-Varilla—a French citizen who was not authorized to sign any treaties on behalf of Panama without the review of the Panamanians—unilaterally signed the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty which granted rights to the United States to build and administer indefinitely the Panama Canal, which was opened in 1914. This treaty became a contentious diplomatic issue between the two countries, reaching a boiling point on Martyr’s Day (9 January 1964). The issues were resolved with the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977 returning the former Canal Zone territories to Panama.

Pre-Columbian period

panamatips — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:07:21 +0000

Pre-Columbian heritage of native populations whose presence stretched back over 11,000 years. The earliest traces of these indigenous peoples include fluted projectile points. This changed into significant populations that are best known through the spectacular burials of the Conte site (dating to c. AD 500-900) and the polychrome pottery of the Coclé style. The monumental monolithic sculptures at the Barriles (Chiriqui) site were another important clue of the ancient isthmian cultures. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Panama was widely settled by Chibchan, Chocoan, and Cueva peoples, among whom the largest group were the Cueva. There is no accurate knowledge of size of the indigenous population of the isthmus at the time of the European conquest. Estimates range as high as two million people, but more recent studies place that number closer to 200,000. Archaeological finds as well as testimonials by early European explorers describe diverse native isthmian groups exhibiting cultural variety and suggesting people already conditioned by regular regional routes of commerce.

When to Go

panamatips — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:36:18 +0000

The best time to visit Panama really depends on what you plan to do. If you intend to spend most of your time on the Pacific side, try December or January, when there’s generally little rain and the weather is pleasant. If you’re doing any serious hiking, this is also the most comfortable time to do it; the Darién Gap can be crossed only at this time. Bear in mind, however, that hotel prices and airfares are generally higher in the dry season (mid-December to mid-April). For planning purposes, be aware that Panama’s mountains can get very cold at night; be sure to bring warm clothing.

Some of Panama’s colorful festivals draw large crowds. If you like to party, try to be in Panama City or Las Tablas for Carnaval, held each year on the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Hotel reservations during Carnaval are a must and should be made well in advance.

Panama City

panamatips — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:58:08 +0000

Panama City (Spanish: Ciudad de Panamá) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 708,738, with a total metro population of 1,063,000, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, at 8°58′N, 79°32′W. Panama is the political and administrative center of the country. Juan Carlos Navarro is Panama’s current mayor.

Panama has been for 7 years in the top 5 places for retirement in the world according to International Living Magazine^[1]

Panama has a dense skyline, including mostly apartment buildings, but office complexes and hotels as well. Panama is an important hub for international banking and commerce. It has an advanced communications service, Internet use is widespread; and Panama’s Tocumen International Airport offers daily flights to international destinations.^[2]

Panama was chosen to be the American Capital of Culture for the year 2003 (jointly, with Curitiba, Brazil).

Panama

panamatips — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:57:32 +0000

Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: República de Panamá; IPA: [re'puβlika ðe pana'ma]), is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on an isthmus, some categorize it as a transcontinental nation connecting the north and south part of America. It borders Costa Rica to the north-west, Colombia to the south-east, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is an international business center and is also a transit country. In Central America, it is the most industrialized country. Although Panama is also the 3rd largest economy in Central America, after Guatemala and Costa Rica, it has by far the most developed economy and has the largest expenditure on resource consumption, making the country the largest consumer in Central America