PANAMA

The isthmus of Panama is the umbilical cord joining South and Central America. It borders Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the east. Originally Panama was a state of Columbia but on 4 November 1903, after a comic opera rebellion, Panama declaired itself a Sovereign Republic. On the 6th of November the USA recognized the Republic of Panama. Work started with little delay and where the French had failed the USA succeeded. Under the supervision of the US Army Corps of Engineers the 40.27 mile Panama Canal was completed and opened with the passage of the S.S. Ancon on 15 August, 1914. Without the canal there would be no Panama as we know it today.

Full country name: Republic of Panama
Area: 78,000 sq km (30,420 sq mi)
Population: 2.8 milion (growth rate 1.5%)
Capital city: Panama City (pop 700,000)
People: 65% mestizo, 14% African descent, 10% Spanish descent, 10% Indian
Language: Spanish, English and Indian languages

GDP: US$19.9 billion (1999)
GDP per head: US$7,300
Inflation: 1.4%
Major industries: Operation of Panama canal, banking, construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling, shipping and agriculture
Major trading partners: USA, Germany, Costa Rica

Health risks: Dengue fever, hantavirus (Los Santos province), malaria, rabies and yellow fever

Temperatures are typically hot in the lowlands (between 21°C and 32°C/70°F and 90°F) and cool in the mountains (between 10-18°C/50-64°F). These vary little throughout the year.

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