Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America. The Panama Canal, a famous feat of human engineering, cuts through its center, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to create an essential shipping route. In the capital, Panama City, modern skyscrapers, casinos and nightclubs contrast with colonial buildings in the Casco Viejo district and the rainforest of Natural Metropolitan Park. The most dominant features of Panama are the forested, volcanic-in-origin, mountains that extend from its Costa Rican border to Colombia, South America. Significant ranges include the lengthy Central Mountains, as well as the San Blas, Talamanca and Tabasara. The sandy beach coastlines of Panama merge into forested lowlands that rise into the foothills of the inland mountain ranges. The eastern third of Panama (the Darien province) is a sparsely populated land of rain forests, rivers and swampy lowlands bordered by high mountain peaks. The Darian Gap, fronting the border with Colombia, is an inhospitable, almost impassable thick jungle. The northern coastline is ringed by the hundreds of small islands that form the Bocas del Torro and San Blas Archipelagos. Significant islands along the southern coastlines include the Pearl Islands (of Survivor fame), Taboga, Cebaco and Coiba. Hundreds of rivers drain the land, mostly small; significant ones include the Charges, Chepo, Chucunague, San Pablo, Santa Maria and Tuira.
Key Cities
Key cities in Panama include: Panama City, San Miguelito, Tocumen, David, Las Cumbres, Colon, La Chorrera, Pacora, Santiago de Veraguas, Chitre, Arrijan, Vista Alegre.
Historical, Cultural facts & Religion
The history of Panama refers to the Isthmus of Panama region’s long history that occurred in Central America, from Pre-Columbian cultures, during the Spanish colonial era, through independence and the current country of Panama. Panamanian culture is a hybrid of African, Native Panamanian, and European culture – specifically Spanish. For example, the tamborito is a Spanish dance that was blended with Native American rhythms and dance moves. Dance is a symbol of the diverse cultures that have coupled in Panama. Panama’s constitution states that Roman Catholicism is the majority religion and should be taught in public schools; parents do, however, have the right to exempt their children from religious instruction. Catholic holidays and festivals are also widely observed and celebrated throughout Panama.
Brief Country History
Panama used to be among the colonies of Spain in America until its secession to join Gran Columbia. It was a Spaniard—Rodrigo de Bastidas—who first spotted Panama in 1501 and who dropped anchor off the Caribbean Coast in Portobelo with the help of Christopher Columbus. In 1510 Vasco Nuñez de Balboa established the first successful colony and became governor of the region three years before he discovered the Pacific Ocean. Because of the strongholds established by pirates on the Caribbean Coast, the Spanish empire began to decline in 1821, forcing Panama to become part of independent Columbia from which it later seceded to establish itself as a separate republic with the help of the United States through a bloodless revolution in 1903. On November 3 of the same year, rebels headed by Manuel Amador Guerrero declared Panama as an independent republic and two weeks later, signed the Hay-Bunan Varilla Treaty granting the US the right to build and administer Panama Canal, a ship canal joining the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
In 1968, General Omar Torrijos took over the reins of government and became a virtual strongman until his death in an airplane accident in 1981. Into the end of that decade, Panama-US relations turned sour as a result of the death of a US soldier at a roadblock of the Panamanian Defense Forces headed by Gen. Manuel Noriega. The US eventually launched Operation Just Cause and invaded Panama in December 1989, a few days before the administration of the Canal was to be turned over to Panamanian control. The invasion, which left many PDF members killed, forced General Noriega to seek asylum in the Vatican diplomatic mission but surrendered to the US military after a few days and was subsequently arrested by US federal authorities.
On December 31, 1999, under the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, the US returned all Canal-related lands to Panama, which gained thereafter full administration of the Canal, as well as control of the Canal-related buildings and infrastructures.
Language (s) Written & Spoken
The Official Language of Panama Spanish in Panama is the first language for about 4 million of its inhabitants. The Spanish used in Panama differs from the one used in Spain. Panamanian Spanish is the Spanish version used in Panama.
Important Types of Commerce in Panama
Major Industries: construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling. Panama’s economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for nearly 80% of GDP.
Language Services US and others will provide working with Panama
Whether in Panama for a conference, an exhibition or another business event professional language service is a must-have for ensuring smooth and well-informed business communications. A Spanish Language services provider is required to ensure access to well-translated documents as well as high-quality interpretations. Whether you require simultaneous interpretation services for an international summit at a Convention Center, or plan to wine and dine special prospects and clients at the gorgeous Hotel, a Spanish language service provider will ensure all your materials are organized and that your presentations, speeches, and demos move forward without a hitch.
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