Facts about Panama:
Population, geography, politics

History of Panama

Spanish colonial period

1510: Spanish settlement at the mouth of the Río Chagres on the Caribbean coast. Panama becomes the base for the colonization of Peru.September 26, 1513: Discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to observe the Pacific from the American isthmus. He named this sea the « South Sea ». It was Fernand de Magellan who named it « Pacific » in 1520.1516: Foundation of Panama Ciudad. The city becomes an essential transit point for Peru’s riches, stimulating its economic development.1739: Panama becomes part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada.1819: After independence, Panama remains part of Great Colombia

The canal era

1855: The California gold rush leads to the construction by the United States of the Colón-Panama transisthmian railroad.1881-1889: Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps begins construction of the Panama Canal. The project is halted due to a lack of capital and the death of more than 20,000 workers, mainly from tropical diseases.March 8, 1893: Start of the Panama scandal trial. Ferdinand de Lesseps and his associates are accused of corruption. Former minister Baïhaut is sentenced to 5 years in prison, the Lesseps brothers and Gustave Eiffel to one year for breach of trust

Independence

november 3, 1903: Panama secedes from Colombia, supported by the United States, which wishes to control the Canal Zone.November 18, 1903: Proclamation of independence and establishment of the Republic. Panama grants the United States perpetual use of a 16 km-wide zone across the isthmus for the construction and operation of the canal.June 7, 1914: The American cargo ship « Alliance » is the first vessel to cross the canal.October 10, 1914: Official inauguration of the Panama Canal

The 20th century

1959, 1964, 1966: Nationalist movements against American control of the Canal Zone.1977: Signing of the Carter-Torrijos agreements, abrogating the 1903 treaty and providing for the return of the Canal to Panama on December 31, 1999.1987-1989: General Manuel Noriega, former CIA agent turned dictator, deposes the elected president. In December 1989, an American military intervention dubbed « Operation Just Cause ». Noriega is captured and imprisoned in the USA.1997: The Panamanian army is abolished and replaced by a civilian police force.1999: Mireya Moscoso is elected Panama’s first woman president.December 31, 1999: The Panama Canal is returned. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) takes full control of the infrastructure. The last American soldiers leave the country

The 21st century

2004: Election of Martín Torrijos (son of Omar Torrijos) to the presidency.October 22, 2006: In a referendum, Panamanians approve an ambitious project to expand the canal to accommodate larger vessels.2007-2016: Expansion work on the canal, with construction of a third set of locks.

june 26, 2016: Inauguration of the enlarged canal, allowing the passage of « New Panamax » ships.2024: José Raúl Mulino elected president (taking office on July 1, 2024).2025-2026: The Mulino government faces major social protests over the reform of the social security system and its policy deemed too close to the United States. Tensions emerge following US President Donald Trump’s statements on the Panama Canal.

Geography of Panama

Territory

Panama is a narrow strip of land in southern Central America, forming a natural bridge between North and South America. Its geography is characterized by mountainous terrain in the center, with low-lying land on the coasts. 87% of the land lies at altitudes below 700 meters.Highest point: The Barú volcano rises to 3,475 meters in Chiriquí province.Borders

• To the east: Colombia (225 km border)
• West: Costa Rica (330 km border)
• North: Caribbean Sea (1,287 km of coastline)
• South: Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Panama (1,700 km of coastline)

The Talamanca and San Blas mountain ranges run through the territory. The country has 153 rivers on the Atlantic side and 325 on the Pacific, providing excellent natural irrigation.Islands and archipelagos: Hundreds of islands dot the coast, including the archipelagos of San Blas (Guna Yala), Bocas del Toro and the Perlas Islands in the Pacific

Climate

The entire territory enjoys a tropical climate with few seasonal variations. There are two seasons:Dry season (January to mid-April): A period of maximum sunshine, particularly popular with visitors. Temperatures remain warm, but rainfall is rare.Rainy season (mid-April to December): More frequent precipitation, particularly intense on the Caribbean coast and the highlands. The Pacific coast, where most of the population is concentrated, receives slightly less rain.Temperatures

• Lowland and coastal areas: 21-32°C
• Mountain areas (Boquete, Cerro Punta): 10-18°C, offering a temperate climate

Arts and culture

Crafts

Panama’s ethnic richness is reflected in the diversity of its traditional crafts. Each community has its own distinctive know-how

• Molas des Guna: colorful textiles made using an inverted sewing technique, veritable works of art
• Emberá-Wounaan basketry: Baskets woven from natural fibers in intricate geometric patterns
• Wooden masks: traditional sculptures used for festivities
• Ceramics: Pottery inspired by pre-Hispanic traditions
• Panama hats: Although bearing this name, these hats originated in Ecuador but are widely sold in Panama
• Pollera: Traditional national costume, richly embroidered

Today, many artisan families combine artistic creation with the preservation of ancestral techniques, and handicrafts are often their main source of income

Festivities

Panamanians cultivate a true art of celebration. Every celebration is the occasion for colorful, festive gatherings: religious ceremonies, patronal feasts, folkloric events.November, renamed « Month of Patriotic Festivities », concentrates three major celebrations commemorating the country’s history

• november 3: Independence from Colombia
• november 10: Los Santos Uprising (first cry of independence in 1821)
• november 28: Independence from Spain

Other important festivities punctuate the year: Carnival (February-March), Corpus Christi, patron saint festivals in each province

Literature

Panamanian literary life intensified after independence in 1903. Key figures include:Republican period: Ricardo Miró, author of the patriotic poem « Patria », recited in all schools. Rogelio Sinán, pioneer of avant-garde poetry.20th century

• Carlos Francisco Changmarín, committed poet
• Joaquín Beleño, whose novel « Luna Verde » describes working-class conditions in the Canal Zone
• Enrique Jaramillo Levi, acclaimed short-story writer
• Rosa María Britton, novelist and playwright

Contemporary: Today’s literature combines poetry, novels and stories, with authors such as Juan David Morgan and Carlos Wynter Melo

Music

Music is omnipresent in Panamanian society. A national symphony orchestra has existed since 1910, testifying to the importance attached to musical culture.Traditional genres

• Típico: Folk music featuring accordion and « salomas » (traditional cries)
• Tamborito: National dance accompanied by drums
• Congo: African-influenced music from the Atlantic coast
• Mejorana: Musical style of the Azuero peninsula

Emblematic artists

• Rubén Blades: International figure of salsa, his song « Pedro Navaja » has become a classic
• Victorio Vergara, Alfredo Escudero, Dorindo Cárdenas: Performers of típico music
• Samy and Sandra Sandoval: Popular folk music duo

From an early age, children learn to play an instrument and participate in school orchestras, perpetuating this lively musical tradition

Dance

Folk dance has a rich heritage, a blend of Spanish colonial traditions, native influences and African contributions.Main dances

• Tamborito: National dance performed during festivities
• Mejorana and Punto: Dances of the Azuero region
• Danse Congo: Practiced on the Atlantic coast, with a strong African influence
• Bullerengue: Dance of African origin

Dancers often wear the pollera, a sumptuous national costume adorned with embroidery and lace, accompanied by gold jewelry and decorative combs.