The Republic of Panamá is located in the center of the Western Hemisphere, between the coordinates 7º12’07″ and 9º38’46″ north latitude and 77º09’24″ and 83 º 03’ 07″ west longitude.
Panama forms a link between Central America and South America, and is configured similar to a letter “S” laid on its side. The land mass is an isthmus approximately 50 miles wide in the narrowest part, that being specifically the location where the famous Panama Canal was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Panamá, with a total surface area of approximately 77,082 square kilometers and a population of around 3.3 million inhabitants, is divided into 9 providences and 5 indigenous regions. In large part Panamanians are descendants of the Spanish people, although there is also a sizeable population of Africans and mulattos (16%) who became established in the country with the construction of the Panama Canal, and with the building of the inter-oceanic railway during the 19th century. This population is mainly found in the cities of Panama, Colón, and Bocas del Toro. Many specialists qualify Panama as the county with the most variety of human races on the planet. Despite being such a small country, it is inhabited by people from the major cities of Europe, North America, China (the second largest population of Chinese people in Latin America), India, the Arabic countries and Israel as well as the many native Indian tribes indigenous to the area. The most popular religion in the country is Catholicism, but there are also numerous mosques, synagogues and temples throughout the country as a result of the large cultural diversity.
Like Costa Rica, Panamá does not have an army as it was abolished in 1990. This move has permitted the government to invest extensively in health, education and civic development, creating a country with one of the highest levels of social investment in Latin America. The resulting political stability and economic growth have converted Panama into an epicenter for travelers from all parts of the world.
The tourism industry has developed rapidly, with hundreds of attractions now available teeming with color and natural beauty. One can find magnificent beaches on the Caribbean coast in areas such as San Blas, home of 365 islands with white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, Bocas del Toro in the north, an archipelago of islands that are ideal for snorkeling year round, and National Parks with a broad biodiversity of wildlife located only 30 minutes drive from the capital city of Panama.
The country offers locations such as Chagres National Park, Soberanía National Park and Metropolitano Natural Park, enormous mountains with very cool temperatures that contrast with the heat of the coastal cities, beautiful valleys and myriad small towns overflowing with warm and friendly villagers. In this small country of Panama you can find as many bird and mammal species as in all the rest of Central America. In fact, there are more species of birds in Panama than in the United States, Canada and Europe combined.
The Panamanian people love festivals, and as such there are literally hundreds of local festivals throughout the year. If you are interested in experiencing the genuine Panamanian spirit, we recommend that you travel to the interior of the country, birthplace of the authentic Panamanian culture and folklore. Their true autochthonous roots can be found in towns such as Chitré, Los Santos, Azuero, Las Tablas, Santiago and La Villa among many.
The Carnaval in Panama is one of the most famous on the continent, and the only celebrated in Central America. It is held the week before the start of Lent in the entire country, although the best, biggest and most elaborate is to be found in the Peninsula of Azuero zone, located some 155 miles southeast of the Panamanian capital. During the 5 days of extravagant and ornate festivities, the beer and liquor flows, beautiful festival queens rein, and thousands of Panamanians and tourists dance in the streets to the native beats and melodies until the wee hours of the mornings. It is definitely an event to be experienced.
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