THE CENTRAL
AMERICAN COUNTRY OF
PANAMA
Introduction
Panama is a beautiful tropical country in Central America. It is a mixture of
mountains and lowlands. The capital city is Panama city. Panamanian territory also has a
great number of islands, scattered along each side of the isthmus. The two oceans are only
seperated by 51km at the country's narrowest point.
The Panama canal makes Panama special because it is a waterway that cuts across
the isthmus of Panama and links the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. It started being built in
1904 and was completed in 1914 the cost to build it was $387 million. The Canal was built
so ships could cut through and shorten their trip instead of travelling all around South
America.
Agriculture
For centuries farming was the dominant economic activity for
much of the population. After construction of the canal other
economic sectors grew more rapidly, diminishing the relative
importance of agriculture (including some forestry and fishing.) The
farms are small and they grow mainly rice followed by corn &
beans . Other crops include sugar cane, coffee, and tobacco. Cattle
farming is another important agricutural activity. Panamanians also
raise chickens and hogs.
Architecture
Panama has a variety of architecture ranging from Spanish colonial to skyscrapers
of glass. Rural houses are built to minimize the affect the hot tropical sun and maximize the
breezes to avoid stagnant moist air. Panama City has the widest assortment of architectual
styles.
Ropp, Steve Panama & the Panama Canal The World Book Inc., 1992.
Currency & Banking
The currency in Panama is the Balboa. It was created in the year of 1904 and is an
equal amount to the U.S. dollar. Panama's money is made up of only coins but the
American bills are commonly used and serve as their paper currency. Canadian money is
legal tender in Panama. Without a need for a bank to issue and protect the paper currency
Panama did not form a central bank.
Climate
Most of Panama has a warm, tropical climate that varies little from season to
season. Temperatures in the lowlands average about 27 degrees celsius. Temperatures in
the higher mountains average about 19 degrees celsius. The Atlantic side of Panama
receives about 381 centimetres of rain annualy. On the Pacific side about 173 centimetres
of rain falls yearly.
Culture
Panamanians value family and freindship, they are the most loyal to their parents
and their siblings than to their spouses. Family members come to each others aid, if
needed, and also support one another through life when times are rough.
At large parties or social gatherings it is common for people to arrive up to 2 hours
late. And at small gatherings or parties it is acceptable to be half an hour late.
Between 85 and 90% of the population is Roman Catholic. There is so many of
them because the Spanish established the Catholic faith as Panama's religion in the 16th
century.
Economy
Economic activity in Panama varies according to location. The economy near the
Panama Canal is based on trade, manufacturing, and transportation. In most of the rest of
the rest of Panama economy is based on agriculture. The Panama Canal is the most
important single factor in the country's economy, It is used for boat transportation. But the
agriculture employs more people than does any other economic activity. It is a free
enterprise system that the economy operates.
Education
About 90 per cent of Panama's people can read and write. In the ages of 7-15 the
law requires you to stay in school for those years or until they complete the 6th grade. But
about half the children leave schoool before completing the law requirements. These
people usually come from poor families and need to quit school to begin work. The people
that do complete grade 6 complete high school. There are 2 universities in Panama, they
are both in Panama city. They are the university of Panama and the university of Santa
Maria La Antigua Ethnic Groups
Panama has a mixed population. American indians were it's first inhabitants . In the
1500's Spaniards became the first whites to reach Panama. They brought black slaves from
Africa to Panama. In the 1800's, many blacks of African descent who were living in the
West indies settled in Panama. Through the years, the indians, whites, and blacks
intermarried. Today about two thirds of Panama's people are descendants of more than one
group. The largest mixed groups are mestizos and mulattoes. Together,they make up about
70 per cent of the population . Blacks and whites each make up from 10 to 15 per cent,
and Indians about 6 per cent. Mestizos are people of mixed American Indian and white
ancestry.
Energy
Little petroleum and coal has been found. Firewood supplied half the country's
energy but stopped because of the amount of rainforest diminishing. Cude oil was imported
from Venezuela. The main energy resource is hydro power.
Forestry & Fishing
Forestry was barely exploited despite the extensive forested area that included many
vauable species. Fishing was far more important, largely supplying the domestic market and
providing important exports. The waters of the two oceans provide great amounts of fish.
The largest catches are anchovies and herrina.
Foreign Trade
Trade and commerce flourish near the Panama Canal. Colon and Panama city rank
among Latin America's chief banking centers. Traditionally income came from services to
visitors to the canal.
The leading export crop is bananas, the second major import is shrimp. Raw sugar,
coffee, hides, and skins are sold abroad.. The regions prime exports are foods, cattle hides,
clothimng, and pharmacenticals. Imports generally come from the U.S.A .,Japan &
Mexico. History of Panama
The first inhabitants of Panama were the Indians. Very few records of the early
indians exist, scholars do not know when the indians had first settled in the area. The
indians farmed, fished, and hunted.
Panama's Language
Spanish is Panama's official language, it is spoken by nearly all the people. Some of
the Indian groups use their own local language in addition to Spanish. Many Panamanians
can speak english and it is almost a second language.
Literature
The spanish colonists were the first people to write about Panama. Basilio de
Oviedo, Antonio de Herrara, and Pedro de Angleria were three of the best known writers
of the early colonial period.
Victor de la Guardia wrote the first play at the beginning of the 18th century.
Richardo Miro was Panama's greatest poet, "Patria" was one of his poems and it aroused a
feeling of national unity in Panamanians of all ages.
Music & Dance
Song and dance are a significant part of Panama's culture. Panamanians enjoy rock
music from U.S.A. and England. The national dance of Panama is called the tamborito,
this dance differs from religion to religion. Panamanian dancers usually wear elaborate
costumes when performing folk dances.
Mining
Panama's small mining industry centers around the production of such construction,
materials such as lime, sand, and crushed stone. Large copper deposits lie near Colon and
David but they are undeveloped.
Natural Resources
Pinetrees are abundant in Panama's mountains. Banana plants, cacao trees and lush
rainforests grow in the country. The name Panama means "an abundance of fish
Plant & Animal Life
1,500 species of trees and 10,000 species of plants, Panama is a host to all this
wildlife. The official national flower is the Flor del Espiritu Santo, or the flower of the holy
spirit. The flower is white. The square tree is one of the most interesting tree in Panama.
These tree's have a square shaped trunk, and are found in the mountains to the West of
Panama city.
In the tropical rainforests bananna,mango,guava,cocoa,and plantain grow in
abundance.
In the Pacific Ocean plankton grows abundantly in the cold water. Along the
Carribean coast magnificent coral reefs thrive in the clear warm waters.
FAUNA
Along with rich and varied flora, the small country is home to the thousands of species of
wildlife. The country has over 900 species of birds including parrots, and toucans. Half an
hour outside of Panama city bands of howler monkey's jump and swing through the green
trees. Pumas, jaguars, white tailed deer, bats, iguanas, otters, opussums, crocodiles, and
different types of rodents also share the forest with the monkey's. Sea turtles migrate in
Panama, unfortunately many people are killing them for their eggs and for shells to make
jewelery.
Principle Cities
The 3 largest principal cities are in order of population- Panama city, San
Miguelito,and Colon. These 3 cities together have about 75 per cent of the nations urban
population.
Population
The population of Panama is 2.5 million. But the population is growing at a rate of
about 2 per cent each year.About 55 per cent of Panama's people live in urban areas. 45
per cent of the people live in the rural areas.
Religion
About 85 per cent of Panama's people are Roman catholics. Most of the rest of the
people are Protestsnts. The Catholic church plays an important role in Panama. Church
services and celebrations are both religous and social events for many of the people.
Sports & Recreation
The mountains of Panama provide a heaven for fitness enthusiasts. Hikers tackle
the Volcan Baru, Panama's highest mountains. Mount Volcan Baru is very steep in places,
therefore hikers cannot hike this area. Some people rock climb these steep areas. Mount
Volcan Baru is a guide place as you walk through the crater of the mountains. These are
several thermal springs and cool lagoons in the mountains. Many Panamanians like to bird
watch and sometimes hunt.
White water rafting and fishing is popular with the many rivers and streams that
Panama has.
The most common spectator sports are baseball, basketball, soccer, boxing,
horseracing, dogracing, and cockfighting.
Social Issues
Panama is better off compared to other Central America countries ranking among
the top three for standard of living. However their is a great difference between the poor
and the wealthy. Almost 50 % of Panama's people continue to live in poverty. Some work
as street venders, peddlers, while others are unemployed and live in slums.
Theatre & Film
Panamanians enjoy attending the theatre during the leisure time. For stage shows,
Panamanians perfer the National Theatre in the colonial district of Panama City. During
the months of February & March, the Folklore Ballet performs. They perform native folk
dances in traditional costume. Panama also has movie theatres that show Panama and U.S.
videos. Although many Panamanians are billingual, the movies that are in English have
Spanish subtitles.
The Way of Life
The part of Panama near the Panama Canal is a busy center of urban activity. In
contrast, most of the rest of the country is made up of quiet rural areas of farms, tiny
villages, and small towns. Panama city lies at the Pacific end of the canal, Colon is at the
Atlantic end. These cities are active centers of commerce, trade, and transportation.
The Elite: The Panamanian elite generally live in cities. They are the wealthy white. The
parents send their children to college and encourage them to marry in their class.
The Middle class: They remain in the cities like the elite. The members of this class
continually strive, though education and emulation of elite behaviour, to elevate their status.
The Lower Class: Most rural Panamanians belong to the lower class. In the countryside,
people struggle to survive poverty and many leave the countryside for a better life in the
cities.
Bibliography
Box, Ben Mexico & Central America Handbook Passport books, NTC publishing,
1996.
Hassig, Susan Panama, Cultures of the World , Marshall Cavendish Corporation,
1996.
Langlois, Claude- Victor and Rigole, Marc. Panama Ulysses Travel publications,
1999.
www.panamainfo.com Internet.