Panama+(Madison)

=Panama =

General:
**Capital-** Panama City **Population-** 3.3 Million **Demographics-** Age Structure- 0-14 years 28.6% ( 504,726 males, 484,291 females), 15-64 years 64.2% (1,123,777 males, 1,098,661 females) 65 years and older 7.2% (115,425 males, 133,582 females) Popultaion Growth- 1.435% Birth Rate- 19.43 births/ 1,000 population, Death Rate- 4.65 deaths/ 1,000 population. Life Expectancy- Males: 75.02 years. Females: 80.68 years. Total: 77.79 years. Religion**-** 85% Catholic, 10% Protestant, 5% Islam Official Language- Spanish Major Exports/Industries- Bananas, Sugar, Coffee, Banking, Construction, and Tourism Monetary System- The balboa is the official currency in Panama and the US dollar is the paper currency, which is accepted all over Panama. There coins are also the same as Americas. They're made of the same metal, and have the same value.


 * Geography: **


 * Panama is located on the narrowest and lowest part of the Panama Isthmus
 * Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina
 * It neighbors Costa Rica and Columbia
 * More than 25% of its territory is protected by 14 national parks and nature preserves
 * Tropical climate with temperatures of about 80-90 degrees
 * The average rainfall is about 2,500mm
 * Panamas summer is winter in the U.S.
 * The natural resources are copper, mahogany forests, and hydropower



Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the region, Panama was inhabited by the tribes Cuevas and Cocole. The arrivals of Rodrigo de Bastidas from Seville, and later AVasco Nunez de Balboa in 1513 were going to change the history of Panama. Balbao discovered another ocean on the other side of the isthumus. This meant that Panama could be used for trading spanish goods. Panama also received there independence from Spain on November 28,1821, and separated form Columbia on November 3,1903.
 * History: **
 * The Kunos, Teribes, Noble Bulge are a few of the indigenous groups.
 * Discovered by Balboa in 1503
 * Panama Canal open in 1914
 * Ships from all over the world began to use the Panama Canal after it opened.

**Government and Political Situations:** **Culture:** **Food**- The Panamanians eat things like, coconut rice, tortillas, tamales, corvinas (sea bass), hajaldras, tropical fruits, and empanadas. **Clothing**- Business men wear suits and ties, women wore skirts and dresses, if they are not at work then they wear casual attire. One of the most popular dresses over in Panama is the poller. It is often worn with lots of jewelry and hair accessories, the Panama hat is also the big thing for men.
 * Panama is a constitutional Democracy.
 * They have 9 provinces and 5 (indigenous) territories
 * Branches- Executive and Legislative, there are 71 members of the legislative branch.
 * Panamas current president is, Ricardo Martinelli
 * There current vice president is, Juan carlos Varela

Pollera worn by many women in Panama.

**Sports**- Panamanian sports include futbol (american soccer), golf, tennis, rugby, baseball, basketball, and boxing. Futbol is the main sport played in this country. They also have other sports like snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving and many others.

**Holidays/Celebrations**- In Panama they celebrate thirteen main holidays. These are: New Years Day, Martyr's Day, Holy Friday (death of Christ), Labor Day, Flag Day, Colon Day, The Uprising in the Villa de Los Santos, Independence Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas. Some other celebrations are, Children's Day, Good Friday, the separation of Panama from Columbia, the independence from Spain, Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and there are also a few others.

**Music**- Music typically comes from folklore & traditional trends influenced by European dances and African drums or chants. Although they were first influenced by populations of Kush, Teribes, Nobe Bulge and some others. Some of the popular music themes over there are, Salsa, Merengue, bachata, pop, Rock en Espanol, reggae, cumbia, vallenato, samba, and many others.

Some of the best Panama tourist attractions are Amador Causeway, Cenntinal Bridge, Mi Pueblito, Panama Veijo, and Bridge of the Americas. There are some others that you may also be intrested in seeing. These are:
 * Tourism: **
 * Ancon Hill
 * Balboa Avenue
 * Casco Viejo
 * Metropolitan National Park
 * Panama Canal
 * Panama National Parks
 * Panama Beaches and Islands
 * Panama Reserves
 * Panama Wildlife Refuges





Current Events:
The Mystery Disease- There is a disease going around in panama along with some of the other countries in Central America. They call it the mystery disease because they aren't sure of whats causing it. Although they mainly find it in field workers and construction workers. Thousands have died already, but doctors and scientists are trying to fing the cure. To find out more, visit: []

Panama's village leader Silvia Carrera defies a president- After anti-mining protests in Panama left three dead and brought the Pan-American highway to a standstill, the elected chief of the Ngäbe-Buglé people says the fight for justice must continue. To find out more visit: []

Resources:
[|www.panama.com] [|www.carribean-panama-real-estate.com] [|www.businesspanama.com] [|www.virtualpanama.com] [|www.mapsoftheworld.com] World History book