PANAMA
Panama (population 4.5 million) is an isthmus between Central and South America and borders Costa Rica, the Caribbean Sea, Colombia and the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Panama City. It is a mountainous country with volcanoes and two long sea coasts. The Panama Canal is a shipping link between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and is the country’s main source of income.The official language is Spanish. When the Spaniards conquered Panama, a number of Indian populations lived there without a collective administration. In 1513 Vasco Núñez de Balboa reached the Pacific Ocean, which he placed under Spanish rule. The currency of Panamá is still called “balboa” and you will find its name everywhere. Panamá was the first city on the Pacific Ocean and was founded in 1519. During a raid by pirates in 1671, the city was evacuated and blown up. The ruins of Panamá Viejo are a World Heritage Site and a tourist hotspot. The new town is 8 km away.
In the 17th century there was a quest to find a strait through Central America, but it was never found. With much hardship and deprivation, gold and silver from Perú was transported from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean Sea, and then by ship onto Europe. For centuries, Panama was an attractive target for pirates and robbers.
After 1821, Panama became independent from Spain and joined Great Colombia, a federation of states, as per Simón Bolívar’s ideologies. After many political struggles, however, Panamá split away from this federation as traders saw more business in England and France. In 1855, the railroad between the two oceans was opened and in 1869, a French consortium began digging the Panama Canal. After several years and many deaths from tropical diseases, the project was halted. The US completed the canal after 1903 and claimed a strip of land to make the canal a military zone. In 1977, the Canal Zone was returned to Panama, but in 1989, the Americans raided it in order to arrest dictator Noriega and transfer him to the US, where he was convicted of drug trafficking.
The main cities are located on the Pacific Ocean. The current population comes from all over the world. Tourism is mainly focused on business, beaches and tax-free shopping and most of the tourists come from the US, Canada, Central and South America and Europe. They are big-spenders; spending and average of $350 per day in 2020. Luxury tourism can be found at Trump Ocean Club and Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Zona Libre de Colón is the largest free trade zone on the continent. The centre of Panama City is known for its vibrant nightlife and many nightclubs, restaurants and theatres.
Other attractions include beaches, coffee plantations, nature reserves and volcanoes, such as plantation Boquete and volcano Barú, Gamboa Rainforest, Chagres National Park and the San Blas island group with its beautiful beaches.
Want to shop ‘til you drop or take a Canal Cruise? Then go to Panama!
$479,-
| Capital | Panama City |
|---|---|
| Population | 4.000.000 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Panamese Balboa |
| Visa required< | www.visum.nl |
| Vaccination(s) | Multiple vaccinations are required |
| Voltage | 110 V |
| Traffic | Right-hand traffic |
