Panama Information

Sometimes called “the movable city”, since it was relocated several times during the short span of the past 300 years, Panama is a paradise for nature lovers. What remains today are only the ruins of the old Panama City. At first the English pirate Henry Morgan looted the city and burned it to the ground. Then the Spanish people came and they moved the capital to a safer place from where they could govern easily. That was in the peninsula of Casco Viejo. They also removed the Golden Alter from its original place and took it to Casco Viejo. This information is available from the history of Panama. The tourist who visits Panama can see the Plaza Bolivar and Plaza Herrera, which comprise the President’s
Palace of the Herons and the newly restored National Theater.

For a period of over 90 years, the growth of the city of Panama was restricted because of the US controlled canal zone. With the sea beach resorts springing up gregariously, Panama gained a new prestige and the real estate boom came as a blessing for the country of Panama. People have started coming here and the business of the real estate agents is on the rise, according to recent information.

Due to the close proximity of Panama City with the Panama Canal, this place has earned the epithet “The Crossroads of the World”. There are as many as 450,000 residents who stay at this place. The visitors come for a while but the landscape allures them. The scenic beauty is beguiling and thus this made people decide to stay here for the rest of their lives.

Nights in Panama are said to be too short. It is said that people usually drink a lot in Panama. This is done in order to stay away from mosquitoes carrying diseases. The bartenders also say that consuming alcohol yields medical benefits. This is because alcohol keeps mosquitoes away. They are actually sworn to keep the secret to themselves that alcohol has no effect on mosquitoes.

Fish a Popular Cuisine

In the native Indian language the word “Panama” means “an abundance of fish”. Fish items are served in almost every restaurant in Panama. The fishes may be salted and roasted. You can get information about the fishes in Panama from the guide. They may be grilled and spiced. Curry may be made from fish. In whatever form it comes, fishes are said to be the most vital component of food in Panama. The dishes served in Panama rivals those served in Miami, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Panama a Shopping Mecca

Tourist guides often say that Panama City is “a bargainer’s paradise” or “a shopping Mecca.” This is due to the presence of the free trade zones that are present here. Shopping is one of the fundamental activities in the city of Panama. Centro Commercial Los Pueblos in Panama claims to be the biggest shopping malls in the city. Other places where you can shop include wharfside market at Salsipuedes.

The Panama Canal was also called the “seventh wonder of the world”. When it was first constructed it signified the endeavor of human effort to overcome the obstructions of nature. The Panama Canal looks more like a meandering river than a mechanical structure which was created by human effort. Within a close reach of this place is the beautiful National Park. Here a wide variety of flora and fauna are available. In the National Parks in Panama one can get a glimpse of the turkey vultures which soar high up in the air and (which are common in the Soberania National Park). The locals name the turkey vultures as the “Panamanian Air Force.”

Strategic Location

Due to its strategic position, Panama gained its present day status. The native tribes in Panama are called Cuevas and Cocole. When the Spanish arrived with their weapons and diseases these tribes disappeared surprisingly.

Panama’s economy is mainly rooted in the well-developed services sector. This accounts for almost three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, container ports, flagship registry, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, and tourism. The rate of inflation in Panama is 1%. The unemployment is 13%. There are numerous industries like construction, petroleum, refining and brewing. There are construction industries as well as sugar milling industries.

Panama’s Culture

The culture in Panama is composed of Mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) which comprise 70% of the population. According to the information collected from a report, there are 14% Americans and West Indians in Panama. While 85% of people are Roman Catholics the Protestants consists of 15% of the population. Spanish and English are the commonly spoken languages. Most of the Panamanians are bilingual. Education in Panama is free and children from 7 to 15 years are given free education. 91% of the population is educated.

The labor force consists of 1.1 million people. 61.2% o the people are engaged in service sector. 20.8% are engaged in agriculture. 18% are engaged in industries. Over 64% of the population is between 15-64 years of age. The growth rate in Panama is 1.26%. the life expectancy rate is 75.89 years (as in 2002 report). The infant mortality rate is 19.57%.

Panama Weather

In Panama, the days are hot while the nights are cooler. While the temperature during the daytime is 32 degrees, the temperature at night is 21 degrees. The humidity is high and is 80%. The rainy season is from October to November and the best time to visit Panama is from December to March.

However the temperatures in Panama vary according to the elevations. At higher elevation less tropical temperature prevails. The total landmass of Panama comprises 30,193 square miles and about 78,200 sq km. The total water mass consists of 853 square miles. The total area of the land boundaries consists of 344 miles. The coastline is 1,547 miles.

The landmass in Panama consists of deep interior region, rugged mountain zone and dissected uplands. There are large coastal plains and rolling hills. The lowest elevation at Panama is at the Pacific Ocean while the highest elevation is at Volcan de Chirigu. The natural resources mostly consist of copper and mahogany forests. You can also obtain shrimp and hydroelectric power. There are 7% arable land and 2% permanent crops produced in Panama.

The natural hazards consist of severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area. The main concern of Panama is constant water pollution which is threatening. Deforestation is yet another threat. Mining also threatening and crease pollution.