PANAMA

Panama is a little country located in Central America. Its bounded on the west by Costa Rica and on the east by Colombia. The capital of Panama is Panama City. The Republic of Panama has an area of 78,000 sq km and a populationof 2.8 million people. The national langvuage is Spanish but English and other indian dialects are spoken as well. The predominant religion is The Roman Catholic and the currency is the Balboa. The Balboa is only available in coins, therefore the US dollar is the paper currency. Americans had influence the culture and lifestyle of this country. American Franchises such as TGI Fridays and Multinational such as Coca Cola and Nestle have a branch in Panama. The Banking Area in Panama City is pretty bigand many banks from around the world have their branches there. Some of the major industries in Panama are: the bananas(Chiquita Banana), shrimp, and sugar. Tourism is also very big. The weather in Panama is usually in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. There are two seasons. The dry season lasts from January to mid-April and the rainy season from mid-April to December. Rainfall is heavier on the Caribbean side of the highlands, though most people live on or near the Pacific Coast. Panama is the only place in the world in which you can have tea looking out on the Pacific Ocean and a Cocktail an hour and a half later watching the moonlight over the caribbean. People usually relate Panama with the Canal. The Canal opened in 1914. It is actually operated by 90% panamanians and the rest of the positions are run by the Americans. In December 1999 the Americans will give total control of the Canal to the Panamanians. Are you ready to explore Panama?

The Golden Altar in the Church of San Jose, Panama City. This is one of the most beautiful altars in Panama.

The ruins of Old Panama (Panama Viejo) is an area of decaying colonial architecture.

The National Theateris located in Panama City.

Casco Viejo These are some of the renovated houses in old part of the city.

Carnaval is celebrated for four days preceding Ash Wednesday and involves music, dancing and a big parades throughout the four days. The most festives places for this celebration are: Las Tablas and Panama City. Thousands of dollars are spend in the customes that are worn by the queens of the different groups. Even a water parade is celebrated in Penonome.

Kuna Indians of the San Blas Archipielago. The earliest known inhabitants of Panama were the Kuna, Choco and Guaymi, but they were decimated by disease and the sword when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.

Macaws or Guacamayas are one of the most beautiful birds in Panama.

EL Panama America is one of the most popular newspapers in Panama. If you are planning to visit Panama, make your reservation with Copa.
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