Useful information about Panama. Geography of Panama. Nature and national parks of Panama Traditions and religion

The Republic of Panama is located on the isthmus of the same name, called the Isthmo by geographers, on one side of which is the Pacific Ocean and the other side is washed by the Caribbean Sea. The country is located between Costa Rica and Colombia at 9° northern latitude and 80° west longitude. The area of ​​the state is 75.5 thousand square kilometers. The length of the coastline is 2 thousand 490 kilometers. Panama has only two land borders.

The Colombian-Panamanian border forms an impenetrable jungle 225 kilometers long and on the other side there is a border with Costa Rica 330 kilometers long. The territory of Panama is divided into ten provinces and autonomies - Panama, Colon, Chiriqui, Cocle, Darien, Herrera, Veraguas, Los Santos, Bocas del Torro, San Blas. From one of the Indian languages, the name "Panama" can be translated as "a place where there are a lot of fish."

Type state structure - democratic republic. The head of state and government is the president. The current president is Ricardo Martinelli and the vice president is Juan Carlos Varela. The Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the President, and the President and Vice President are elected by popular vote every 5 years. The legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) - 71 deputies, elected by the population for a five-year term.

Relief of Panama

The relief of the country is mainly made up of coastal plains, a mountainous interior and tropical jungles in the northwest and east. The main part of the minerals and natural resources that can be found on the territory of Panama is copper, teak and mohagon wood, asbestos quarries, fruit (bananas, pineapples, two kinds of coconuts, mangoes, etc.) plantations, a huge amount of fish and shrimp, hydro -electricity, huge reserves of fresh water.

From the western border with Costa Rica to the central regions of Panama, the Cordillera de Veragua mountain range stretches. Within the ridge in its western part there are several volcanoes, including the highest point in the country - active volcano Baru. It is the only active volcano in Panama. Its height reaches 3475 m. The width of the volcano caldera is 6 km. The last time the volcano erupted in 1550, it is expected that its next eruption will occur in 2035. Volkan Baru National Park is located on the slopes of the volcano. Also in the western part of Panama are the extinct volcanoes of La Eguada and El Valle.

The climate of Panama

Panama has a subequatorial type of climate. Throughout the year it is hot and humid, and fluctuations in average monthly temperatures do not exceed 2-3 degrees. The hottest is the Pacific coast of the country. Here, in the period from March to September, during the daytime, the air warms up to +34..+36 degrees, and at night it cools down to +20..+22 degrees. In the period from September to March, daytime air temperatures rise to +31..+33 degrees, and nighttime temperatures drop to +17..+19 degrees. On the Caribbean coast of Panama, the daily temperature variation is not so noticeable. From March to September during the day the air warms up to +30..+32 degrees, and at night it cools down to +23..+25 degrees. In a relatively cool season from September to March, daytime air temperatures reach +28..+30 degrees, nighttime temperatures drop to +20..+22 degrees. In the central mountainous regions of the country at altitudes of more than 1000 m above sea level, the air temperature is 7-8 degrees lower than on the coasts.

During the year, up to 3500 mm of precipitation falls in Panama on the northern slopes of the mountains and on the Caribbean coast, and up to 2000 mm on the Pacific coast. Relatively dry season lasts from December to mid-April, rainy - from May to December. On the Pacific coast, these seasons are more pronounced: during the dry season, less than 50 mm of precipitation falls per month, and during the rainy season - 300-400 mm. On the Caribbean coast and on the northern slopes of the mountains, a fairly large amount of precipitation falls - from 200 to 400 mm per month. Also during the rainy season, powerful cyclonic eddies often come to the Caribbean coast, characterized by strong gusty winds and heavy rainfall, but the main path of tropical hurricanes characteristic of the Caribbean Sea passes to the north. It is worth noting that the rainy season has nothing to do with the phenomenon of the same name in East Asia. It doesn't rain continuously. Usually precipitation falls within 2-3 hours, and if it rains in the capital, then the sun may shine on the Caribbean or Pacific coast.

The best time to travel to Panama is during the dry season. From the end of May, temperatures and humidity begin to rise rapidly, making moving around the country a real torture. Showers, although short-lived, are very intense, and the sun that comes out after them quickly dries the earth, but saturates the air with moisture.

Flora and fauna of Panama

The eastern part of Panama and the coast are covered with rainforests - selva. There are many types of valuable trees in the country, such as the bakout tree, or the guayacán. Main decoration flora Panama - orchids, of which there are more than 300 species.

Jaguars, cougars, and ocelots are still preserved in hard-to-reach areas. There are armadillos, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, tree porcupines. Deer and peccaries are found in mountain forests. There are up to 850 species of birds. Lots of snakes, scorpions, spiders, various insects. Panama is often called the kingdom of butterflies: more than 1100 species are known in the country, of which at least 5 species of giant butterflies "morpho" (wingspan - 15 cm).

Nature and national parks of Panama

About 30% of the territory of Panama is reserved for nature protection zones. There are more than 1,300 plant species in the country, many of which are relics, and about 950 bird species. Panama is considered one of the best places on the planet for bird watching.

Not far from Panama City is the Metropolitan National Park. The park is adjacent to the Panama Canal and is the only park in Latin America that protects the tropical forest within the metropolitan area. Here, on an area of ​​265 hectares, you can see a variety of birds (parakeets, toucans and orioles), butterflies, small mammals (sloths, titi monkeys and anteaters) and reptiles. Also, an exhibition of orchids is open for tourists, where species that grow only in Panama are presented. Metropolitan Park has an observation deck from where you can see the Panama Canal. The information center of the park is very interesting, where you will be told in detail about the possibilities of recreation here. Of the routes, we can highlight the 45-minute Mono Titi route and parts of the historical routes of Camino de Cruces and Cienequita, which were used by the Spaniards in ancient times. The Camino de Cruces route links many national parks.

In the vicinity of Panama City, the Summit Botanical Gardens with an area of ​​250 hectares are also of interest. The gardens were formed in 1923. To date, the Summit has collected about 15,000 different exotic plants. A zoo was also set up here, where the national bird harpy eagle and tapir are represented. For harpy eagles, the zoo has one of the largest exhibition areas in the world ever created for a single species of bird. Here the life and features of this bird are presented in great detail.

Soberania National Park. The area of ​​the park is 20 thousand hectares. It is located 40 km north of Panama City on the banks of the Panama Canal. Here for short period the time that the tour lasts, you can see the largest number of bird species. In total, there are about 200 species of birds in the Soberania National Park, among which is one of the few populations of the largest bird of prey in the world - the harpy eagle.

Barro Colorado Island, along with several peninsulas of the lake, is part of the Barro Colorado National Park in Gatun Lake, adjacent to Soberania National Park. The total area of ​​this protected area is 5.4 thousand hectares. Gatun Lake and Barro Colorado Island appeared during the construction of the canal, when a dam was built on the Chagres River. Inside the lake that arose as a result of the flood of the river, a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bland 171 m high remained unflooded. In 1923, the island of Barro Colorado was declared a protected area. In 1946, the Tropical Research Institute began to manage the reserve, which established the Tropical Research Laboratory here. In 1979, in addition to the island of Barro Colorado, the reserve included several peninsulas and the reserve received the status of a national park. The only way to get to the park - take a boat from the village of Gamboa, which is located 38 km from Panama City. In order to visit Barro Colorado National Park, you must obtain a permit from the Tropical Research Institute. Visits to the park are paid, the ticket price includes lunch at the information center of the park. The information center of the park shows films about the history of the creation of the park and about its inhabitants. Barro Colorado Island can be circumnavigated in one day. The walk along the main route lasts only 45 minutes. All routes of the park pass through the forests, where many birds live.

Not far from here, on the banks of the Chagres River, lies the Chagres National Park. It was created to protect riverbank ecosystems, which are the main source of water for the Panama Canal, the source of drinking water for many large cities in this part of the country, and the source of electricity for the cities of Panama City and Colon. The area of ​​the park is 129 thousand hectares. Its main attractions are the Chagres River and Lake Alajuela, on the banks of which numerous colonies of birds settle. The park also offers excursions to the villages of the Indian tribes "Embera" and "Wounan" living in these protected areas. During the excursions, you can get acquainted with the culture of the tribes, preserved from ancient times, with the process of making and coloring the cake by local craftsmen. Parts of two ancient roads pass through the park, along which Europeans exported Inca gold in the 16-18 centuries - these are Camino de Cruces and Camino Real. Cerro Jefe observation platform (1007 m) offers a breathtaking view of the Panama Canal.

North of the Chagres National Park on the Caribbean coast is Portobelo National Park. Of the 34.9 thousand hectares of the park, about 20% is in the sea, the rest is occupied by tropical rainforests.

Of the other protected areas in the central part of the country, the Altos de Campanha National Park can be distinguished, which is located 60 km southwest of Panama City. The park protects tropical rain forests growing on the slopes of the mountains, and several mountain rivers. The total area of ​​the park is 4.8 thousand hectares. Monkeys live in the forests wild pigs, over 175 species of birds, as well as reptiles, including the endangered endemic golden frog.

Further south on the east coast of the Azuero Peninsula lies the Sarigua National Park. The area of ​​the park is 8 thousand hectares. It is known for its archaeological sites - the ruins of the oldest Indian villages of pre-Columbian times, dating back to 9500-7000 BC. Fragments of ceramic objects and stone products were found here.

Also on the Azuero Peninsula is the Cerro Joya National Park, which guards one of the last tracts of untouched Azuero forest.

Off the southern coast of the Azuero Peninsula, on the islands of Canas and Iguana, there are wildlife preserves. The Kanas Island Sanctuary was established in 1994 to protect a 13 km stretch of coast where many turtles come to lay eggs every year. The most common species of turtle found here is the Olive Ridley Turtle. In the reserve, tourists are offered nightly observations of turtles. The Iguana Island Sanctuary covers an area of ​​53 hectares. Several species of turtles lay their eggs on the local beaches between April and September. The park also protects one of the largest reefs in the Gulf of Panama with an area of ​​16 hectares. Every year, humpback whales can be seen near the reefs, which migrate from the polar regions to the tropical regions through these places.

Off the west coast of the Azuero Peninsula in Chiriqui Bay is the Coiba Island National Marine Park. Coiba Island is the second largest island in the Eastern Pacific (after Vancouver Island). Its area is 49 thousand hectares. In addition to the island of Coiba, the national park includes several more small islands. The total area of ​​the park is 270.1 thousand hectares. In 1910, a prison was built on the island of Coiba, which is still there today. Because of this, the forests that cover the island have remained virtually untouched. human activity. In order to visit the Coiba National Park, you must obtain permission from the directorate of the colony. Its underwater world is considered one of the richest in the world, in addition, on some islands of the park, from April to September, you can see turtles that have come here to lay eggs, and this is the only place in the country where flocks of red macaws live. Damas Bay of Coiba Island is surrounded by 135 hectares of coral reef, which is the largest coral reef in Central America.

In the extreme west of Panama is part of the La Amistad International Park. This is the world's first biosphere reserve, which was created on the territory of two states. The other part of the park is located in Costa Rica. The Panama part of the reserve covers the mountain ranges stretching from Costa Rica, and covers an area of ​​​​207 thousand hectares. It is located on the territory of two provinces - Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro. The park information center in the province of Chiriqui is located in the village of Las Nubes, and in the province of Bocas del Toro, in the village of Panayungla. On the mountain slopes of the national park there are forests inhabited by rare mountain cougars, jaguars and many birds, among which is the most beautiful bird of Central America - the quetzal.

Volkan Baru National Park is located next to the La Amistad National Park in the province of Chiriqui. The park is on the slopes highest point countries - volcano Baru (3475 m). It occupies an area of ​​14.3 thousand hectares, on which tropical rainforests and volcanic landscapes extend. In clear weather, both coasts of Panama can be seen from the top of the Baru volcano. The park also offers routes to several craters of the volcano, during the journey through which you can see a huge variety of orchids, ferns, mosses and birds, such as quetzals and toucans.

Off the northwest coast of Panama, in the southern part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, is the Bastimientos Island National Marine Park. This is one of the few protected areas in Latin America where wild nature, indigenous tribes of the islands and Coral reefs. Many of the park's beaches are nesting grounds for rare, endangered turtle species. Not far from here is Bird Island, which is famous for its colony of sea gulls.

In the eastern part of Panama, on the territory of 579 thousand hectares, the Darien National Park is located. This is the biggest protected area countries and throughout the Caribbean. The park has a colossal diversity of flora and fauna, and the park is also notable for the tribes that have lived here since time immemorial and still retain their identity. On the territory of the park there are mountain ranges up to 2500 m high, navigable rivers, sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangrove forests and swamps. Most of the park is covered by tropical rainforests, which are home to many endemic plant species, and about 200 species of large mammals, including such a rare species as the jaguar, and about 500 species of birds, including the harpy eagle. The park is home to two Indian tribes, Embera and Waunan.

Population of Panama

The population of Panama as of July 2010 was 3.4 million. Annual increase - 1.5% (fertility - 2.5 births per woman). Infection with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - 1% (53rd place in the world, 2007 estimate), 20,000 people. Ethno-racial composition: mestizos (Mestizo) 70%, blacks, mulattoes and sambos 14%, whites 10%, Indians 6%.

Birth rate - 20.18‰ (96th place in the world), mortality - 4.66‰ (196th place in the world), infant mortality 12.67 per 1000 newborns (139th place), average life expectancy - 77.25 years (74. 47 years for men, 80.16 years for women). Literacy - 91.9% (according to the 2000 census). The share of the urban population is 73%.

The basis of the ethnic group "Panamanians" are the descendants of the Spanish colonialists of the 16th century, partially mixed with the Indians, that is, mestizos, and mulattos, who together make up 70% of the country's population. In addition to the Spaniards, here in the 19th and 20th centuries. other immigrants from Europe also migrated, mainly Italians. The minority are representatives of the indigenous population, the Indians of the Macro-Chibcha and Zhe-Pano-Caribbean families. There are also forest blacks (descendants of runaway black slaves living according to African traditions), cholos (Indians who lost their roots and switched to Spanish), and antillanos (immigrants from Jamaica and other Antilles. The consolidation of the nation occurred in the 19th century Repeated attempts to secede from Colombia led the Panamanians to declare independence in 1903. According to cultural traditions, they are closest to the Colombians, Costa Ricans and Hondurans.

Source - http://ru.wikipedia.org/
http://www.panama.ru/
http://www.extratours.ru/country/strani/panama.html

brief information

Most of us know Panama thanks to the Panama Canal, through which huge ocean-going ships pass. Not many tourists can boast that they have visited this small but amazing Central American country. Spanish medieval fortresses are still located along the Panamanian coast, probably awaiting the arrival of the ships of the pirates Henry Morgan and Francis Drake. Local white sandy beaches are washed by clear and very warm water.

Geography of Panama

Panama is located in Central America, on the isthmus connecting North and South America. Panama borders Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to the southeast. In the north, the country is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and in the south by the Pacific Ocean. Total area - 75,517 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 555 km.

Most of the territory of Panama is occupied by highlands and mountain ranges, only not very wide plains stretch along the coast. The highest local peak is the Baru volcano, whose height reaches 3,375 meters. Note that Baru is still called a volcano, although it has not been active for several millennia.

Capital

Panama City is the capital of the state of Panama. More than 1.2 million people now live in this city.

Official language

Panama has one official language - Spanish.

Religion

About 80% of the population are Catholics, and 15% are Protestants.

State structure of Panama

According to the current Constitution, Panama is a presidential republic. Its head is the President, who also acts as head of government (he is elected for 5 years).

The unicameral local parliament is called the National Assembly and consists of 71 deputies.

The main political parties are the Democratic Revolutionary Party, the Panamanian Party and the Democratic Change Party.

Administratively, the country is divided into 9 provinces and three autonomous regions.

Climate and weather

The climate is tropical, the average annual air temperature during the day is + 32C, and in the evening - + 21C. The rainy season lasts from October to November. The best time to visit Panama is from December to March.

The seas and oceans of Panama

In the north, this state is washed by the Caribbean Sea, and in the south - by the Pacific Ocean. The total length of the coastline is 2,490 km. The average annual sea temperature near the coast in January-March is +28C, and in July-September - +29C.

Rivers and lakes

There are about 300 rivers in Panama, some of them flow into the Pacific Ocean, and the other part into the Caribbean Sea. Only one Panamanian river is navigable, the Río Tuira.

Culture of Panama

Panama is located in Central America where many cultures intersect. Ethnic diversity is displayed in local pottery, ceremonial masks, architecture, cuisine and festivals.

Countrywide all year round festivals and holidays are held. At the end of February, Panama City hosts the world-famous Panama Carnival. This is a very colorful holiday when local women wear traditional dresses and adorn themselves with gold jewelry.

In the north of the country, in the province of Colon, tourists can observe the cultural traditions of people from Africa. So, Congo drums are very popular among the inhabitants of this province.

Kitchen

The main food products are beans, rice, meat. Fish and seafood dishes are excellent on the coast and islands. Very often, mango and coconut are added to local dishes.

Tourists are recommended to try "Sancocho" (chicken stew with vegetables), "Empanadas" (pancakes with meat or cheese), "Carimanola" (small flatbread with meat and boiled eggs), "Tamales" (scones with corn and meat in banana leaves ), "Gallo pinto" (rice and beans with pork), "Ceviche" (sliced ​​raw fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice and mixed with tomatoes, cilantro and onions).

The traditional alcoholic drink is "seco" (a liqueur made from sugar cane).

Sights of Panama

Tourists are advised to visit the city of Panama Viejo, destroyed by pirates, where the ruins of Spanish buildings built at the beginning of the 16th century have survived to this day. But many of the ruins of this city have been preserved in very good condition, and therefore they can hardly be considered as such. These are, first of all, the monastery of Santo Domingo, the church of San Jose and the Royal Bridge.

Be sure to check out the Panama Canal, which has so many different political events associated with it. There you will definitely see some big ocean vessel. By the way, more than 12,000 large ocean-going ships pass through the locks of the Panama Canal every year.

Panamanian reserves and parks are popular with tourists, and there are a lot of them in this country. The most famous of them are the Soberania National Park, located about 40 km from Panama City, as well as the Metropolitano, Portobelo, Volcan Baru, Sarigua and Darien National Parks. Don't forget to visit the marine park on the island of Bastimientos as well.

Cities and resorts

The largest cities are David, Colon, Burica, Boqueron, Atalaya, Almirante, Bocas del Toro, Ola, Parita, Portobelo and, of course, Panama City.

The sea coast of Panama is very large, and if you take into account the hundreds of islands, you can only imagine how many beaches there are in this country. Most tourists recognize that the best Panamanian beaches are not on the Pacific coast, but on the Caribbean coast. Moreover, the beaches on the islands are considered the best.

The high season for a beach holiday in Panama falls on December-April. During these months, hotels raise prices for accommodation.

As a rule, tourists who come to this country first visit Panama City. Then they travel to the Panama Canal, and only then they go to relax on the beaches.

If you are in Panama City and you want to swim in the Pacific Ocean, then you need to go to Taboga Island (it is not far from the capital). The white sandy beaches of Taboga are very good, even by Panamanian standards. Not far from the capital there are several other good beaches - Farallon and Santa Clare.

If you want to find the most perfect Panamanian beach, then visit the San Blas Islands. Near these islands are the most beautiful coral reefs.

Another place where excellent Panamanian beaches are located is the Bocas del Toro archipelago on the northwestern coast of the country. There we advise you to pay attention to the island of Colon. In the national marine park on the island of Bastimientos, there are two more popular local beaches - Red Frog Beach and Playa Larg.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Basic moments

The majority of the population of Panama (67%) are Spanish-Indian mestizos. The remnants of the Indian tribes (Kunas, Chocoes and Guayamis) make up only 7%, they live mainly in remote areas. About 15% are blacks. The bulk of the population employed in the service sector is concentrated in the zone adjacent to the canal. Here are the largest cities - the capital city of Panama and the city of Colon.

Panama is a tropical country with lush evergreen vegetation, a humid and hot climate with very even temperature fluctuations. On the coast there are many picturesque bays and coves. More than one and a half thousand coral islands border the isthmus. Often Panama is called the kingdom of butterflies (more than 1100 species are known).

Nature and climate

In the latitudinal direction, the central mountain range extends almost across the entire country, bordered on both sides by coastal lowlands. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are characterized by deep bays and nearby islands. On the south coast several hilly peninsulas jut out into the ocean, the largest of which is the Azuero Peninsula. The mountainous interior of Panama is formed by several ranges. The western ranges, stretching to Panama from Costa Rica, are crowned with several volcanic peaks, the highest of them is Mount Baru (3475 m above sea level). To the east stretch the steep slopes of the Serrania de Tabasara ridge, more than 900 m above sea level, reaching the Panama Canal. This range ends abruptly southwest of Panama City, and further southeast is another mountain system - the Cordillera de San Blas, which passes into the higher Serrania del Darien, continuing into Colombia. Some peaks here rise above 1200 m above sea level. Another range, Serrania del Baudo, starts in the southeast of Panama and stretches from San Miguel Bay to Colombia. The Panama Canal is laid in the lowest part of the isthmus between the western and eastern mountainous regions, where the hills do not exceed 87 m above sea level.

On the Caribbean coast and the northern slopes of the mountains, the climate is rainy tropical. Especially powerful showers come from May to December, but in the remaining months there is no lack of moisture. In the port of Colon, the annual rainfall is 3250 mm, and average temperature 27 ° C, and the difference in temperatures between seasons is almost imperceptible. In the highlands, rainfall is less, and on the south side of the mountains on the Pacific coast, a tropical climate prevails with wet and dry seasons. In the capital of the country, for example, 88% of the annual rainfall of 1750 mm falls in May-November, and the remaining five months are dry.

Approximately three quarters of Panama is covered in forests. On the Caribbean coast, littoral mangroves give way to dense tropical rain forest of evergreen broadleaf species that provide valuable timber. Above the slopes are covered with no less dense "liana" forest, reaching almost to the tops of the ridges. The Pacific coastal regions are covered with dense semi-deciduous forest with small patches of savanna woodlands.

The fauna of Panama is rich and varied. Puma, ocelot and other felines, deer, monkeys, peccaries, anteaters, sloths, armadillos and kinkajou are found here. Among reptiles, crocodiles, alligators, poisonous and harmless snakes stand out. In addition to North American migratory birds, there are many parrots, including macaws; there are herons and toucans.

Attractions

The most famous landmark of the country is the Panama Canal. Tourists have the opportunity to view it from the Miraflores gateway. Here you can see how ships pass through the canal and visit the museum, which shows a film about its history. There is also the opportunity to admire the bridge that connects South and North America.

A little east of Panama City is the first city founded by Europeans on the Pacific coast - Panama Viejo. Despite the devastating raid of pirates in 1671, several churches of the 17th-18th centuries, a university, and a royal bridge are surprisingly well preserved here. Panama Viejo was listed world heritage UNESCO back in 1997.

Colon is the second largest city in Panama. Among its most famous attractions are the Statue of Christ on Avenida Central, the statue of Columbus, the first Protestant church in Colombia. And of course, the Colon duty-free zone, with an annual turnover of more than $ 10,000,000, will be of interest to tourists.

To the east of Colon is the city of Portobelo, founded by Christopher Columbus himself. The city is famous for its forts of the 18th century, of which there are four. But only two of them can boast of good condition, and, as a result, accessibility for visiting.

Nature lovers will not be indifferent to the Darien National Park, where more than 500 species of birds and more than 200 species of large mammals live on an area of ​​​​more than 5500 km2. Pleasantly surprised by the price of entrance to the national park - only $ 3.

In the southwest of Panama is the village of Buque, famous for the annual ten-day exhibition of coffee and flowers. Bouquet starts the well-known Quetzal Trail, which will lead to the village of Cerro Punta. This is the highest village in Panama. Unique ruins have been preserved around Cerro Punta ancient city, which was destroyed in 600 AD by the eruption of the Baru volcano. In addition, traveling along the Quetzal Trail, you can visit some Indian villages that have survived to this day.

Kitchen

Traditional Panamanian cuisine is a synthesis of Spanish and Indian dishes. The basis of nutrition is corn, rice, meat, beans. All kinds of spices, seasonings and sauces are served separately, which is a definite plus for tourists. Very often, fried bananas are served as a side dish for meat. Interestingly, Panamanians serve many dishes not in plates, but in tortillas.

Panamanian cuisine is characterized by a huge amount of fish. By the way, the very word "Panama" from one of the Indian dialects is translated as "a place where there are a lot of fish." Here you can try both fairly familiar types of fish, such as tuna, as well as exotic ones. For example, it is difficult to carve a fish like tiburon alone, even for a strong man.

The meal traditionally ends with coffee, which is drunk from small cups, as this drink is very strong here.

Accommodation

Numerous Panama hotels offer accommodation ranging from budget option and ending with a luxurious room in a five-star hotel. So, a night in a single room without meals in a three-star hotel will cost about $40. In a five-star hotel, you will have to pay about $210 for the same service. There is an option to rent a house privately. The cost of renting a one-room apartment near Panama City is approximately $260 per month.

Entertainment and recreation

Komarca Cuna Yala is the most popular beach in Panama. It consists of more than 350 islands. The entire area of ​​the beach is covered with white sand. The only minus of Komark Kuna-Yala is the ban on scuba diving. The Isla Coiba beach, specially designed for diving, compensates for this ban. Fans of water recreation will be interested in trying their hand at kayaking, a sport that is especially popular in Panama. Kayaking is like swimming in a single seat kayak. Such swimming on a calm lagoon allows you to fully enjoy the picturesque landscapes. For lovers of extreme sports, there is kayaking on mountain rivers.

In February, flocks approach the shores of the island of Las Perlas big fish that migrate to the Gulf of Panama. Fishing here is especially successful at this time of the year. The catch can be sea ​​ruffs, dorado, tuna. In August, humpback whales can often be spotted off the Pacific coast.

In August, Panama City hosts a traditional folklore festival. Here you can see folk theatrical performances, hear national music, buy souvenirs handmade. In June, Los Santos hosts the Corpus Christi religious and folk festival. The holiday combines Catholic and folk motifs. His most striking moment is a religious procession along a street strewn with fresh flowers.

Numerous nightclubs, bars and restaurants are located on the capital streets of Uruguay and Zona Viva. There are also nightclubs where you can learn how to dance salsa, such as the Havana Panama club.

In January, the Indian festival "Los Balserias" is held in the Chiriqui region. This is the most colorful procession of the ethnic minorities of Panama, where you can admire the national clothes of the Indians, listen to traditional music and even dance.

Purchases

The largest shopping center in Panama, Albrook Mall, is located near the Panama Canal. The center combines both expensive boutiques and small shops of locally produced goods. During the sales season you can do bargain shopping, for example, get a new set of branded clothing within $100. Not far from the center there is a bus station, from where buses run to all cities in Panama.

The level of prices for consumer goods is low here. It is noteworthy that many American retirees move to Panama precisely because the price level here is lower than in America.

Transport

The most convenient way to get to Panama is by plane. The international airport is located 17 km from the capital. You can also enter the country by sea, but only one port carries out international transport. Intercity mini buses run, the main disadvantage of which is the irregularity of flights. In Panama there is also the possibility of renting a car. To rent a car, you need an international driving license and credit card. The age of the driver of the rented vehicle must be over 23 years old. The state of Panamanian roads is considered one of the best in Latin America.

Buses are organized in large cities. You can use a taxi to move around the city. It is customary to agree on the cost of the trip in advance.

Connection

Almost all cities in Panama have Internet cafes. The cost of one hour on the World Wide Web is approximately $1.

For subscribers of major mobile operators, roaming is available in Panama. The cost of calls and SMS is determined by the mobile operator.

Payphones are installed on the streets of large cities. The cost of calling cards ranges from $10 to $50.

Security

The crime rate in Panama is quite high. Recently, the number of thefts and fraud has increased, so tourists should be vigilant. It is not recommended to visit alone remote areas of cities. Traveling between cities on small boats can also be dangerous, as there are known cases of drugs being transported in such transport. There is no ban on prostitution in the state, so you should be careful when dating in nightclubs.

Business climate

There are 110 international banks operating in Panama, making the country an international banking center open to investment. Tax incentives are provided for individuals and enterprises that are engaged in the development of the tourism sector and infrastructure in the country. There are more than 40 laws in the republic that are designed to protect foreign business. For example, non-disclosure of banking information and equal opportunities for both local and foreign companies.

The property

The cost of an apartment in Panama depends on its location. The price of an apartment up to 80 m² in one of the residential complexes in Panama City ranges from $65,000 to $100,000. At the same time, for such an apartment, but located on the coast, you will have to pay about $175,000. A villa on the coast will cost approximately $900,000.

To buy property in Panama, it is not necessary to be a resident of this country. It is necessary to make a deposit in the amount of 2 to 10% of the value of the property, pay the remaining amount, sign a contract of sale, and notarize the transaction.

The local population speaks mainly Spanish. Few understand English here, so a Russian-Spanish phrase book will be useful on a trip.

The sun in Panama is quite aggressive, the difference between night and day air temperature is only +5 ° C, so you need to purchase UV protection.

Visa information

A tourist visa to Panama is issued for a period not exceeding 90 days. The consular fee is $75. Citizens of Belarus and Ukraine can visit the country for the purpose of tourism without a visa. When? if a tourist has a valid Schengen visa, it is not necessary to open a visa to Panama.

Address of the Embassy of Panama in Moscow: Mosfilmovskaya st., 50, bldg. 1. Phones (+7 495) 956-0729, 234-3671, 234-2951

Politics

Under a constitution adopted in 1972 and amended in 1978, 1983 and the 1990s, Panama is a unitary presidential republic. Until 1989, the real power in the country belonged to the military, and only then the operation of the basic law was restored in full.

Legislative power in Panama belongs to the unicameral Legislative Assembly, which since 1999 consists of 71 deputies. She is elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years, depending on the population in single-member and multi-member constituencies. The Panamanian Parliament adopts laws, ratifies international treaties, approves the state budget, imposes taxes, declares an amnesty, and approves the administrative-territorial division of the country. The Assembly considers accusations against the president, vice-presidents (may declare them dismissed) and deputies, approves members of the highest judicial bodies and the prosecutor's office.

Executive power is exercised by the President in conjunction with the Ministers of State. In the absence of the head of state, he is replaced by the first and second vice-presidents. The president appoints and dismisses ministers, coordinates the work public institutions and providing public order. He can veto laws passed by Parliament, approve laws, appoint and remove police commanders, officers and governors, direct foreign policy, declare amnesties, and so on. For exceeding their powers and violating electoral procedures, presidents and vice presidents can be removed by the Legislative Assembly.

The president and vice presidents are elected by popular vote for five-year terms. In 1999, Mireia Elisa Moscoso Rodriguez was elected president - the first woman in this post, the widow of former president Arnulfo Arias. Born in 1946, she helped Arias in the election campaign of 1968 and accompanied him in exile, studied economics and design. In the late 1980s, she returned to Panama, in 1991 she was elected chairman of the Arnulfist Party, in 1994 and 1999 she ran for president.

AT judicial system countries are included Supreme Court, tribunals and other courts. Members of the Supreme Court are nominated by the government and confirmed by Parliament for ten-year terms. There are also five courts of appeal, and the lowest court is the municipal courts.

Panama consists of nine provinces (Darien, Panama, Colon, Cocle, Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas, Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui) and the San Blas Indian Territory. Provincial governors and municipal authorities are appointed by the president.

Economy

Panama's economy is focused primarily on servicing international transit. This orientation was determined in the early colonial period, when local residents supplied food and goods to the expeditions of the conquistadors and the streams of colonists crossing the isthmus. Panama transported Peruvian gold and silver to Spain and Californian gold to New York. After the construction of the Panama Canal, the canal zone, which was under the control of the United States, became the center of the country's economic development. Until 1979, however, Panama received a very small share of the profits, as the canal zone lived mainly on duty-free goods imported from the United States, and Panamanian citizens worked in the zone in low-wage jobs. New agreements between the United States and Panama, signed in 1977 and entered into force in 1979, provided for the liquidation of the North American enclave (canal zone) and a significant increase in Panama's income.

Starting in the 1950s, at the initiative of the government, Panama began to expand the scope of its services. In 1953, a free trade zone was created in the port city of Colon, where foreign companies could use duty-free warehouses for transit cargo and other services. By the early 1980s, Colón had become one of the largest free trade zones, second only to Hong Kong, and Panama's second largest source of income. Worked here entrepreneurial activity more than 350 companies, for the most part North American. Thanks to a new package of banking laws adopted in 1970, by the early 1980s, Panama had become the world's sixth largest financial center.

The cities of Panama and Colon, which have become international transit service centers, absorb half of the country's entire labor force and provide 2/3 of GDP. The manufacturing industry is concentrated in Panama City. Since the mid-1970s, the Panamanian government began to encourage the development of a national industry; in 1976, a financial corporation was founded to attract private investment in the industry. However, despite all the measures, by 1999 Panama's industrial output did not exceed 17% of GDP. At that time, agriculture, which employed 28% of the able-bodied population, provided 7% of GDP. Although the share of agriculture in the country's economy was steadily declining in the 1960s and 1970s, in 1983 it brought 54% of export earnings. By 2002, export earnings amounted to 5.8 billion US dollars.

In 2002, Panama's gross domestic product was $18.06 billion, or $6,200 per capita. This is the highest rate among the countries of Central America. During the 1970s, Panama's GDP increased by approximately 6% annually, except for the period 1972–1976. Between 1980 and 1986, annual economic growth was 2.7%, broadly in line with the country's population growth. By 2002, this figure had dropped to 0.7%. Panama's GDP began to show signs of growth with the election of the president of the economist and entrepreneur Ernesto Pérez Balladares in 1994. The unemployment rate remains high - 16% of the working population. The main reason for Panama's economic difficulties is the need to pay high interest on foreign debts.

culture

The culture of Panama developed on a Spanish basis, experiencing significant influences from African, Indian and North American cultures. The cultural center of the country is the capital, where the University of Panama (founded in 1935), the National Museum of Panama (founded in 1925) and the National Library (founded in 1892) are located. The Ministry of Education manages the department of fine arts, maintains museums and cultural monuments, implements a broad publishing program and organizes musical and theatrical performances.

The folk music and choreography of Panama is distinguished by a great variety of genres. One of the most common folk dances is the tamborito. This pair dance, performed to the accompaniment of drums and handclaps, is accompanied by a song dating back to the 17th century. Mehorana, a song and choreographic genre of Spanish origin, is performed collectively to the accompaniment of two five-string guitars (mehoraneras); its main elements are zapateo (tapping) and paseo (procession). Another popular song and dance genre, punto, is distinguished by a lively, cheerful melody. Cumbia, a dance of African American origin, became the emblem of national folklore. Folk musical instruments include, in addition to five-string guitars, a three-string violin called ravel, percussion, dried gourd rattles (maracas) and a wooden marimba xylophone; urban folklore ensembles use classical violin, cello and Spanish guitar. The National Conservatory was founded in 1940. A national symphony orchestra was created in the capital.

Of the Panamanian artists, the most famous painter and sculptor Roberto Lewis (1874-1949) and Umberto Ivaldi (1909-1947). The founders of national literature were the poets Gaspar Octavio Hernandez (1893-1918) and Ricardo Miro (1883-1940). The largest figure in Panamanian literature is the poet, prose writer, essayist Rogelio Sinan (b. 1904), author of the famous novel The Magic Island (La isla magica, 1977).

Children from 7 to 15 must attend free public schools. Higher education is based on two metropolitan universities: the University of Panama (40,000 students) and the Catholic University of Santa Maria la Antigua, founded in 1965 (3,900 students).

Story

Since ancient times, dozens of Indian tribes have lived on the territory of the Isthmus of Panama, associated with the population of neighboring regions of South and Central America. The first pottery found in Panama dates back to the turn of the 4th and 3rd millennium BC. In 2 thousand BC. corn was cultivated here. In 1 thousand AD. ancient metallurgy spread on the isthmus. The cultures of Veraguas (3rd-2nd centuries BC), Darien (after the 7th century), Chiriqui, Cocle and others flourished here.

In 1501 Panama was discovered by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas. The following year, Christopher Columbus founded a settlement at the mouth of the Belen River, later destroyed by the Indians. The colonization of the territory of Panama began in 1509–1510, when a settlement was founded in the Gulf of Darien, from which the province of Tierra Firme (Mainland) grew. In 1513, the expedition of Vasco Nunez de Balboa crossed the isthmus and went to the Pacific Ocean. In 1519, the governor of "Tierra Firme" Pedrarias Davila founded the city of Panama. Through the isthmus, goods from the colonies on the Pacific coast were transported to the Atlantic coast and further to Spain. Panama City became the most important trading center of Spanish America. In 1538, Panama was proclaimed a Spanish audience, in 1542–1560 it was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, then of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, and in 1718–1723 and 1740–1810 it was included in New Granada (now Colombia).

The basis of the economy was plantations, on which black slaves were imported from Africa. In the 16th and 17th centuries the territory of the country was repeatedly attacked by pirates (in 1671 the city of Panama was destroyed by the English pirate Henry Morgan). From the end of the 18th century Panama's economy was in decline due to shifting trade routes.

In 1821, the Panamanians rebelled against the Spanish colonial government and proclaimed the independence of the province. Soon they joined the federal republic of Great Colombia, created by Simon Bolivar, and after its collapse in 1830, Panama became part of New Granada (Colombia). In 1840–1841, she again tried to declare the independence of the "Republic of the Isthmus", but was unsuccessful. However, the interests of the leaders of the province and the Colombian central government often diverged. In 1885, 1895, 1899, 1900 and 1901 the Panamanians rebelled against the Colombian authorities.

Panama was a major transit point during the California gold rush. In the middle of the 19th century The Isthmus of Panama became more and more of interest to the United States and European powers, which sought to establish their control over a strategically and commercially advantageous transport route. In 1846, the United States entered into an agreement with New Granada, obtaining the right to duty-free transit and operation of routes, as well as a concession for the construction of an interoceanic railway. railway, which was built by 1855. The Anglo-American agreements of 1850 and 1901 significantly increased US influence in Panama.

For some time, France tried to compete with the Americans here. In 1879, the French engineer and diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, who built the Suez Canal, created a company to build the Panama Canal, which later went bankrupt. In 1902, the US government bought all the rights and property from the French company, but the Colombian government refused to give permission for the construction of the canal. Under these circumstances, the United States provided military support to the Panamanian separatists, who on November 3, 1903, proclaimed the independence of the Panamanian Republic. The constitution of the new state was adopted.

Soon the first president of Panama, Manuel Amador Guerrero (1904 - 1908), signed the Hay-Buno-Varilla treaty, according to which the United States received "for all eternity" all rights to build and operate the canal, along with the right to unlimited control over a strip of land across the isthmus 10 miles wide and the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the state. This contract for long time effectively turned Panama into a US protectorate. The agreement with the US was revised in 1936 and 1955, but the US retained control of the canal zone. Under the supervision of the American military, elections were held in 1908, 1912 and 1918. American troops occupied the cities of Panama and Colon (1918) and the province of Chiriqui (1918-1920), suppressed social protests and strikes in Panama in the 1920s. The country's economy was completely dependent on American firms and companies.

In 1912–1916 and 1918–1924, the country's president was the liberal leader Belisario Porras, who carried out some reforms in the field of social and labor legislation. In 1931, the Communal Action liberal reform movement overthrew the government of constitutional president Florencio Arosemena (1928–1931). Under President Armodio Arias (1932–1936), the ruling Revolutionary Nationalist Party (RNP) was created. In 1935, its candidate Juan D. Arosemena (1936-1940) was elected president. In 1936, after mass protests, the United States agreed to conclude a new treaty with Panama, which lifted some conditions that limited the sovereignty of the Panamanian Republic and increased the annual rent for the canal from 250,000 to 430,000 dollars.

In 1940, Arnulfo Arias Madrid, a representative of the Genuine RNP, was elected president of Panama. He introduced national currency and paper notes, proclaimed a new constitution that extended the presidential term. In foreign policy he, seeking greater independence from the United States, tried to develop relations with Germany and Italy. In 1941, A. Arias was accused of dictatorial aspirations and pro-fascist sympathies and overthrown by the National Guard. President Ricardo Adolfo de la Guardia (1941–1945), representative of the RPP, allowed the United States to establish 134 military bases in Panama during the war to protect the canal.

At the beginning of 1945, an acute crisis in the leadership of the country led to the abolition of the 1941 constitution and the holding of elections in constituent Assembly. The interim President Enrique Adolfo Jiménez (1945–1948) relied on a coalition of three liberal parties and one of the CHP factions. In 1946 a new constitution was adopted, and in 1947-1948 Panama obtained from the United States the return of the territory leased during the war. The 1948 presidential election was won by the liberal Domingo Diaz Arosemena (1948–1949). A.Arias disputed the results of the vote, but the National Guard supported his competitor. After Arosemena resigned in June 1949 for health reasons, his successor Daniel Chanis Pinzón declared an amnesty for political prisoners and released Arias, who had been imprisoned for organizing civil unrest in the previous elections.

In November 1949, he again became the leader of the "Genuine RPP", declaring that he had won the elections of 1948. Arias sent his political opponents to prison, banned Communist Party, dissolved Parliament and the Supreme Court, and in 1951 created a new Panamist Party.

These actions of Arias caused widespread indignation, which in May 1951 escalated into a general strike and unrest, and the National Guard, led by Colonel José Antonio Remon Cantera, removed Arias from the presidency.

Before the 1952 elections, the Liberal, Reformist, CHP, Genuine Revolutionary Party, dissociated itself from Arias, and People's Union united in the National Patriotic Coalition (NPC), which nominated Colonel Remon Kantera as its candidate. Having won, he began negotiations with the United States on the revision of the treaty regarding the Panama Canal. But on the eve of the signing of the agreement in 1955, he was assassinated. The agreement did not differ significantly from the agreement of 1903, but increased the rent to 1930 thousand dollars. The 1956 presidential election was again won by the CPP candidate, Ernesto de la Guardia Navarro (1956–1960).

In time for the 1960 elections, the opposition formed the National Liberal Union (NLS), which included the National Liberal, Republican, Third National Parties, and the National Liberation Party. This bloc defeated the CPP and the National Liberal Roberto Francisco Chiari (1960–1964) assumed the presidency. In 1964, the election was won by the NLS candidate Marco Aurelio Robles Mendez, ahead of A. Arias. A coalition government was formed with the participation of all major parties, with the exception of the Arnulfists, Christian Democrats and Socialists.

Since the late 1950s, mass demonstrations have unfolded in Panama demanding the return of the canal zone to the country. In January 1964, American troops shot down one of these demonstrations. Under pressure from the public, the United States agreed to negotiate a revision of the channel's status.

In 1967, President Robles Mendez entered into several new agreements with the United States, one of which provided for Panama's sovereignty over the canal zone, but the opposition refused to ratify them. In November 1967 the government coalition broke up. In March 1968, Parliament removed Robles Mendez, but he did not obey this decision, and until the Supreme Court upheld the dismissed head of state in April, “dual power” remained in Panama.

The 1968 presidential election was won by A. Arias, the chief critic of the 1967 agreements with the United States. On October 1, he took the presidency, but on October 11 he was removed by the National Guard, led by General Omar Torrijos Herrera. The activities of the parties were banned, the parliament was dissolved. Officially, power was transferred to interim President Demetrio Basilio Lacas (1969–1978), but in fact it passed into the hands of General Torrijos. The constitution, adopted in 1972, proclaimed the latter "the supreme leader of the Panamanian revolution" and head of government. She also declared: "The territory of the country can never be given away or alienated, temporarily or partially, to a foreign state."

During the Torrijos period, hundreds of thousands of hectares of land were confiscated from the landowners and transferred to the peasants, and transformations were carried out in the field of taxation, banking, and education. The government developed the public sector, adopted a labor law, and increased wages, created agricultural, transport and fishing cooperatives, nationalized (with compensation) the property of US companies and expropriated the property of large local owners, took control of financial transactions outside the country.

In 1977, a new agreement was concluded between Panama and the United States under President J. Carter, which provided for the liquidation of the canal zone from October 1, 1979 and the transfer of the canal itself to Panama by 2000. Despite the fact that the possibility of a US military presence to protect the canal was stipulated, a resolution was adopted US non-intervention in Panama's internal affairs. The number of military bases in Panama has been reduced from 13 to 3.

In accordance with Torrijos' promises to restore democratic norms in the country, elections were held in August 1978 for a new National Assembly. After Torrijos resigned as head of government in October, the National Assembly handed over power to a new president, Aristides Royo Sanchez, leader of the newly formed Revolutionary Democratic Party. He continued the independent line of Torrijos and supported the Sandinista government of Nicaragua, which caused discontent in the United States.

In 1981, Torrijos, who remained head of the National Guard, died in a crash under unclear circumstances. General Ruben Dario Paredes, who took over the National Guard in March 1982, was closely associated with the US military. In August 1982, he secured the early resignation of Royo Sanchez. The new president, Ricardo de la Espriella (1982–1984), promised to work more closely with the US. After his resignation in February 1984, former vice president Jorge Ilhueka Asumio became head of state.

In April 1983, instead of the National Guard in Panama, the defense forces were created. In August 1983, General Paredes, about to run for president, resigned from his post as commander-in-chief of the defensive forces. He was replaced by General Manuel Antonio Noriega, who was initially also closely associated with the US.

In the May 1984 elections, with the support of Noriega, Nicolás Ardito Barletta was elected president of Panama, nominated by the National Democratic Union coalition, which included the RDP, the Liberal, Labor and Republican parties, as well as the Popular Broad Front. Only slightly behind him was A. Arias, who accused the winner of rigging. President Barletta criticized the IMF and the tough economic program it dictated to Panama. In September 1985, under pressure from the opposition, Barletta resigned and was replaced by Vice President Eric Arturo Delvalier, a member of the Republican Party.

In the mid-1980s, General Noriega left the United States. After the Panama Defense Forces seized an American ship delivering weapons to anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua in June 1986, relations between Panama and the United States began to deteriorate rapidly. Unions of entrepreneurs, employees, workers and church organizations united in the "National Civil Crusade" and in June 1987 held major strikes and demonstrations demanding Noriega's resignation. The trade unions that supported him organized response marches, after which a state of emergency was introduced in the country.

The opposition's demands were supported by the United States, which accused Noriega of involvement in the drug trade and stepped up diplomatic pressure on Panama. On February 25, 1988, President Delvalier removed Noriega from the post of commander-in-chief of the defense forces. But the country's parliament did not recognize this decision and removed Delvalier himself, replacing him with Manuel Solis Palma. Delvalier fled to the USA.

The May 1989 presidential election was held in a tense atmosphere of mutual intimidation and threats of US sanctions. The government candidate Carlos Duque, who was supported by the RDP, the Agrarian Labor, Labor, Republican and Revolutionary Panamist parties, the Democratic Party of Workers, the National Action Party, the People's Party (Communists), and others, was opposed by the Arnulfist Guillermo Endara. The latter also enlisted the support of the Christian Democrats, the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement, as well as the patronage of the United States. Both challengers declared their victory; Clashes broke out between their supporters. As a result, the National Electoral Tribunal annulled the results of the vote. In September 1989, Francisco Rodriguez was declared interim president, and in December Noriega became head of government with emergency powers.

On December 19-20, 1989, American troops invaded Panama. More than 50,000 people were left homeless as a result of air bombardments. More than 200 civilians and more than 300 Panamanian soldiers were killed, according to official US figures, but human rights organizations put the number at 3,000-5,000 Panamanian dead. Noriega was captured and taken to the United States, where he was sentenced to many years in prison. Lawsuits by Panamanian citizens against the American administration for damages were dismissed by American courts.

The US occupying forces transferred power to Endare, declaring him the winner of the 1989 elections. However, the majority of the population did not trust his regime, considering him a protege of the interventionists. Already in 1990, demonstrations began to take place against the new government, in which 50-100 thousand people participated. They condemned the United States and the American military presence and demanded an end to the ongoing sale of public sector enterprises to American companies. In December 1990, an attempted coup d'état took place in the country, suppressed by American troops. In August 1991, the Christian Democratic Party left the government of Endara. In 1992, the regime was defeated in a referendum to change the constitution in 1972, failing, in particular, to win support for a proposal to ban the regular army. The ruling camp continued to fall apart: at the end of 1993, the NRLD refused to support the government candidate in the upcoming elections.

In 1994, a member of the RDP, Ernesto Perez Balladares, also supported by the Liberal Republican and Labor parties, won the presidential election. He collected more than 33% of the vote and outstripped M.E. Moscoso from the union of the Arnulfist, Liberal, Genuine Liberal parties and the Independent Democratic Union (more than 29%). Over 17% of the votes went to the leader of the Papa Egoro Indian movement, Ruben Blades. Assuming the presidency, Pérez Balladares (1994-1999) promised to achieve national reconciliation, ensure the independence of the judiciary, fight speculation and drug trafficking. He pardoned over 220 political prisoners, including Noriega's supporters. The President announced his intention to pursue a more cautious economic policy. In reality, however, he continued with neo-liberal reforms that increased social divisions and caused widespread discontent. More than a third of the population lived in poverty. The President signaled that Panama could extend the presence of US troops in the Canal Zone after 2000 in exchange for appropriate concessions.

The country's parliament in 1994 adopted a constitutional amendment on the liquidation of the armed forces and the transfer of their functions to the police. In 1998, the government of Pérez Balladares suffered a political setback when the majority of the participants in the referendum refused to agree with the item proposed by him and supported by Parliament on the possibility of direct re-election of the president for a second term.

The 1999 presidential election was won by opposition candidate M.E. Moscoso, who collected almost 45% of the vote. Government spokesman Martin Torrijos, son of a former military leader, collected about 38%. However, in the parliamentary elections, the success was accompanied by the RDP. In September 1999, Moscoso assumed the presidency, declaring that Panama intends to single-handedly ensure the security of the canal and is not going to negotiate with any country about the presence of foreign military bases on its territory. On December 31, 1999, the United States transferred full sovereignty over the Panama Canal and the surrounding area to Panama.

On January 1, 2000, the management of the Panama Canal passed into the hands of the Administration, which is headed by a governing board of 11 directors, approved for 9 years by the authorities of Panama.

The government of M.E.Moscoso basically continues the policy of its predecessors. It shall remain in power until the next general election, which will be held in 2004. From that date, political system Panama should introduce a number of new elements, including granting the right to vote to Panamanians abroad, the introduction of a 30% representation of women in elected office, the direct election of deputies to the Parliament of Central America, and the mandatory resignation of persons holding public office if they are nominated at the elections.

In 2001, a diplomatic conflict arose between Cuba and Panama, which was caused by the decision of the Panamanian authorities to release four Cubans whom Havana accused of preparing an assassination attempt on Castro. In addition, Havana suspected one of the terrorists detained in Panama of organizing the explosion in 1976 of a Cuban airline plane that killed 73 people. Castro did not get the Panamanian authorities to extradite the criminals. Moreover, a few days before her departure from the post of President of Panama, President Mireya Moscoso released the detained Cubans to freedom. According to one version, this decision was made at the request of the American administration.

The restoration of diplomatic relations between the countries took place only under the next presidency, in 2005.

The May 2004 presidential election was won by Martin Torrijos, leader of the Patria Nueva (New Homeland) alliance, which includes parties such as the Revolutionary Democratic Party, which was founded in the 70s by his father, General Omar Torrijos, ex-president of Panama and the People's Party, formerly the Democratic Party. He received over 47% of the popular vote.

Other parties seeking parliamentary representation in elections were the Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement (MOLIRENA), the Papa Egoro Movement, the Christian Democratic Party, the Civic Renewal Party, the Genuine Liberal Party, and others.

The administration of President Martin Torrijos has made significant progress. During the 5 years of his presidency, the poverty rate in the country decreased by 5% and amounted to 28% in 2008; there has been a shift in the distribution of income. A huge contribution has been made to the image of Panama as a financial and shopping center Latin America. In October 2006, Torrijos proposed a plan for one of the largest investment projects in Latin America, the expansion of the Panama Canal. At the referendum held on this issue, the plan was supported by the majority of the population.

The total cost of the project is $5.25 billion. As expected, work on the expansion of the transport artery linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans will last until 2014. Modernization will double throughput the Panama Canal up to 600 million tons of cargo per year and will make it possible to serve especially large ships.

In May 2009, a multimillionaire member of the conservative party"Democratic Changes" by Riccardo Martinelli, which collected about 60% of the votes. He represented the Alliance for Change in the elections. For the candidate of the ruling Revolutionary Democratic Party, Balbina Herrera, more than 30% of voters voted.

Martinelli promised in the election to curb corruption and crime. However, first of all, the new president will have to deal with economic problems, primarily related to the Panama Canal, which accounts for a third of all tax revenues to the country's budget. At present, the number of ships passing through it has decreased markedly.

Mayor

Juan Carlos Varela

Founded Square Center height Climate type Official language Population Agglomeration Timezone Official site

(Spanish)

K: Settlements founded in 1519

Transport

The city also has an airport. Marcos Gelabert (Aeropuerto Internacional Marcos A. Gelabert ; IATA: PAC, ICAO: MPMG), also known as Albrook Airport, for intra-Panamanian flights. It is located near the city center, in the former Panama Canal Zone.

Since 2014, Panama Pacifico International Airport, created on the site of the former American military air base, has been used for passenger flights.

The Passenger Port of Panama serves many Canal cruise ships every year.

Municipal bus services are run by MiBus. In order to ensure traffic safety, all buses are personally consecrated by the Archbishop of Panama, Jose Domingo Uyoa.

Residents also make extensive use of taxis. A trip around the city usually costs less than 3 US dollars, to and from the airport - 30 dollars.

In December 2010, the construction of the light metro began. The project, which is being implemented by a consortium of Mexican, Brazilian, Spanish, Italian and Japanese companies, required an investment of $1.8 billion. The opening of the first branch (14 kilometers, 13 stations) took place on April 5, 2014. This is the first subway in Central America, the commissioning of which will allow the capital to significantly relieve ground transport, which cannot cope with the flow of passengers. During rush hours in a city of 1.3 million people constantly experience traffic jams.

Images

View of Panama from Cerro Ancon

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View from the university

Gateway west of Casco Viejo, Panama City.jpg

Caso Viejo

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View of the city from the old harbor

Causeway connecting the islands of Naos, Perico and Flamengo to the mainland.

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Square in Casco Viejo

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View of the lower city from the yacht club

DirkvdM casco viejo.jpg

Casco Viejo

DirkvdM panama bridge.jpg

Bridge of the Americas across the Panama Canal.

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Notes

Literature

• Mellander, Gustavo A. (1971) The United States in Panamanian Politics: The Intriguing Formative Years. Danville, Ill.: Interstate Publishers, OCLC 138568
• Mellander, Gustavo A.; Nelly Maldonado Mellander (1999). Charles Edward Magoon: The Panama Years. Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico: Editorial Plaza Mayor. ISBN 1-56328-155-4. OCLC 42970390.

Links

An excerpt characterizing Panama (city)

Wing adjutant Wolzogen, the same one who, passing by Prince Andrei, said that the war should be im Raum verlegon [transferred into space (German)], and whom Bagration hated so much, drove up to Kutuzov during lunch. Wolzogen came from Barclay with a report on the progress of affairs on the left flank. The prudent Barclay de Tolly, seeing the crowds of wounded fleeing and the disorganized behinds of the army, having weighed all the circumstances of the case, decided that the battle was lost, and with this news he sent his favorite to the commander in chief.
Kutuzov chewed with difficulty fried chicken and with narrowed, cheerful eyes looked at Wolzogen.
Wolzogen, casually stretching his legs, with a half-contemptuous smile on his lips, went up to Kutuzov, lightly touching his visor with his hand.
Wolzogen treated his Serene Highness with a certain affected carelessness, intended to show that he, as a highly educated military man, leaves the Russians to make an idol out of this old, useless man, while he himself knows with whom he is dealing. “Der alte Herr (as the Germans called Kutuzov in their circle) macht sich ganz bequem, [The old gentleman calmly settled down (German)] thought Wolzogen and, looking sternly at the plates that stood in front of Kutuzov, began to report to the old gentleman the state of affairs on the left flank as Barclay ordered him and as he himself saw and understood him.
- All points of our position are in the hands of the enemy and there is nothing to recapture, because there are no troops; they are running, and there is no way to stop them,” he reported.
Kutuzov, stopping to chew, stared at Wolzogen in surprise, as if not understanding what he was being told. Wolzogen, noticing the excitement of des alten Herrn, [the old gentleman (German)], said with a smile:
- I did not consider myself entitled to hide from your lordship what I saw ... The troops are in complete disorder ...
- Have you seen? Did you see? .. - Kutuzov shouted with a frown, quickly getting up and advancing on Wolzogen. “How dare you… how dare you…!” he shouted, making menacing gestures with shaking hands and choking. - How dare you, my dear sir, say this to me. You don't know anything. Tell General Barclay from me that his information is incorrect and that the real course of the battle is known to me, the commander-in-chief, better than to him.
Wolzogen wanted to object something, but Kutuzov interrupted him.
- The enemy is repulsed on the left and defeated on the right flank. If you have not seen well, dear sir, then do not allow yourself to say what you do not know. Please go to General Barclay and convey to him my indispensable intention to attack the enemy tomorrow, ”Kutuzov said sternly. Everyone was silent, and one could hear one heavy breathing of the out of breath old general. - Repulsed everywhere, for which I thank God and our brave army. The enemy is defeated, and tomorrow we will drive him out of the sacred Russian land, - said Kutuzov, crossing himself; and suddenly burst into tears. Wolzogen, shrugging his shoulders and twisting his lips, silently stepped aside, wondering at uber diese Eingenommenheit des alten Herrn. [on this tyranny of the old gentleman. (German)]
“Yes, here he is, my hero,” Kutuzov said to the plump, handsome black-haired general, who at that time was entering the mound. It was Raevsky, who had spent the whole day at the main point of the Borodino field.
Raevsky reported that the troops were firmly in their places and that the French did not dare to attack anymore. After listening to him, Kutuzov said in French:
– Vous ne pensez donc pas comme lesautres que nous sommes obliges de nous retirer? [So you don't think, like the others, that we should retreat?]
- Au contraire, votre altesse, dans les affaires indecises c "est loujours le plus opiniatre qui reste victorieux," Raevsky answered, "et mon opinion ... [On the contrary, your grace, in indecisive matters, the one who is more stubborn remains the winner, and my opinion …]
- Kaisarov! shouted Kutuzov to his adjutant. - Sit down and write an order for tomorrow. And you,” he turned to another, “drive along the line and announce that tomorrow we will attack.
While the conversation with Raevsky was going on and the order was being dictated, Wolzogen returned from Barclay and reported that General Barclay de Tolly would like to have a written confirmation of the order that the field marshal had given.
Kutuzov, without looking at Wolzogen, ordered that this order be written, which, quite thoroughly, in order to avoid personal responsibility, the former commander-in-chief wanted to have.
And by an indefinable, mysterious connection that maintains the same mood throughout the army, called the spirit of the army and constituting the main nerve of the war, Kutuzov's words, his order for battle for tomorrow, were transmitted simultaneously to all parts of the army.
Far from the very words, not the very order, were transmitted in the last chain of this connection. There was not even anything similar in those stories that were passed on to each other at different ends of the army, to what Kutuzov said; but the meaning of his words was communicated everywhere, because what Kutuzov said did not follow from cunning considerations, but from a feeling that lay in the soul of the commander in chief, as well as in the soul of every Russian person.
And having learned that tomorrow we will attack the enemy, from higher spheres armies, having heard confirmation of what they wanted to believe, the exhausted, hesitant people were comforted and encouraged.

The regiment of Prince Andrei was in reserves, which until the second hour stood behind Semenovsky in inactivity, under heavy artillery fire. In the second hour, the regiment, which had already lost more than two hundred men, was moved forward into a trodden oat field, to that gap between Semyonovsky and the kurgan battery, where thousands of people were beaten that day and on which, in the second hour of the day, intensely concentrated fire was directed from several hundred enemy guns.
Without leaving this place and without releasing a single charge, the regiment lost another third of its people here. In front, and especially on the right side, in the smoke that did not dissipate, cannons boomed, and from the mysterious area of ​​​​smoke that covered the entire area in front, cannonballs and slowly whistling grenades flew out without ceasing, with a hissing quick whistle. Sometimes, as if giving rest, a quarter of an hour passed, during which all the cannonballs and grenades flew over, but sometimes for a minute several people were pulled out of the regiment, and the dead were constantly dragged away and the wounded carried away.
With each new blow, fewer and fewer accidents of life remained for those who had not yet been killed. The regiment stood in battalion columns at a distance of three hundred paces, but, despite the fact, all the people of the regiment were under the influence of the same mood. All the people of the regiment were equally silent and gloomy. Rarely was a conversation heard between the rows, but this conversation fell silent every time a blow was heard and a cry: “Stretcher!” Most of the time, the people of the regiment, by order of the authorities, sat on the ground. Who, having removed the shako, diligently disbanded and again gathered the assemblies; some with dry clay, spreading it in their palms, polished the bayonet; who kneaded the belt and tightened the buckle of the sling; who diligently straightened and bent over the new hems and changed shoes. Some built houses from Kalmyk arable land or wove braids from stubble straw. Everyone seemed quite immersed in these activities. When people were wounded and killed, when stretchers were dragged, when our people were returning back, when large masses of enemies were visible through the smoke, no one paid any attention to these circumstances. When artillery and cavalry rode forward, the movements of our infantry were visible, approving remarks were heard from all sides. But the events that were completely extraneous, which had nothing to do with the battle, deserved the greatest attention. As if the attention of these morally tormented people rested on these ordinary, everyday events. The artillery battery passed in front of the front of the regiment. In one of the artillery boxes, the tie-down line intervened. “Hey, that tie-down! .. Straighten it! It will fall ... Oh, they don’t see it! .. - they shouted from the ranks in the same way throughout the regiment. On another occasion, a small brown dog with a firmly raised tail drew general attention, which, God knows where it came from, ran in an anxious trot in front of the ranks and suddenly squealed from a close-hitting shot and, tail between its legs, rushed to the side. There were chuckles and squeals all over the regiment. But entertainment of this kind lasted for minutes, and for more than eight hours people had been standing without food and doing nothing under the unceasing horror of death, and pale and frowning faces grew paler and more frowning.
Prince Andrei, just like all the people of the regiment, frowning and pale, walked up and down the meadow near the oat field from one boundary to the other, with his hands clasped back and his head bowed. There was nothing for him to do or order. Everything was done by itself. The dead were dragged behind the front, the wounded were carried away, the ranks closed. If the soldiers ran away, they immediately hurriedly returned. At first, Prince Andrei, considering it his duty to arouse the courage of the soldiers and set an example for them, walked along the rows; but then he became convinced that he had nothing and nothing to teach them. All the strength of his soul, just like that of every soldier, was unconsciously aimed at refraining from contemplating the horror of the situation in which they were. He walked in the meadow, dragging his feet, scratching the grass and watching the dust that covered his boots; either he walked with long strides, trying to get into the tracks left by the mowers in the meadow, then, counting his steps, he made calculations how many times he had to go from boundary to boundary in order to make a verst, then he scoured the wormwood flowers growing on the boundary, and He rubbed these flowers in his palms and sniffed the fragrant, bitter, strong smell. From all yesterday's work, there was nothing left of thought. He didn't think about anything. He listened with a tired ear to the same sounds, distinguishing the whistle of flights from the rumble of shots, looked at the closer faces of the people of the 1st battalion and waited. “Here it is… this one is here again! he thought, listening to the approaching whistle of something from a closed area of ​​smoke. - One, the other! More! Horrible ... He stopped and looked at the ranks. “No, it moved. And here it is.” And he again began to walk, trying to take long steps so that in sixteen steps he would reach the boundary.
Whistle and blow! In five steps from him, the dry earth blew up and the core disappeared. An involuntary cold ran down his back. He looked again at the ranks. Probably vomited many; a large crowd gathered at the 2nd battalion.
“Mr. adjutant,” he shouted, “tell them not to crowd. - The adjutant, having fulfilled the order, approached Prince Andrei. On the other side, the battalion commander rode up on horseback.
- Watch out! - a frightened cry of a soldier was heard, and, like a bird whistling on a fast flight, crouching to the ground, a grenade splashed softly, a few steps from Prince Andrei, near the horse of the battalion commander. The first horse, without asking whether it was good or bad to express fear, snorted, soared, almost dropping the major, and galloped off to the side. The horror of the horse was communicated to people.
- Lie down! - shouted the voice of the adjutant, lying on the ground. Prince Andrew stood in indecision. A grenade, like a top, smoking, spun between him and the recumbent adjutant, on the edge of arable land and meadows, near a sagebrush bush.
“Is this death? - thought Prince Andrei, looking with a completely new, envious look at the grass, at the wormwood and at the wisp of smoke curling from the spinning black ball. “I can’t, I don’t want to die, I love life, I love this grass, earth, air ...” He thought this and at the same time remembered that they were looking at him.
“Shame on you, officer! he said to the adjutant. “What…” he didn’t finish. At the same time, an explosion was heard, the whistle of fragments of a broken frame, as it were, the stuffy smell of gunpowder - and Prince Andrei rushed to the side and, raising his hand up, fell on his chest.
Several officers ran up to him. On the right side of the abdomen, a large bloodstain spread across the grass.
The called militia with stretchers stopped behind the officers. Prince Andrei lay on his chest, his face down to the grass, and heaved, snoring, breathing.
- What's up, come on!
The peasants came up and took him by the shoulders and legs, but he groaned plaintively, and the peasants, after exchanging glances, let him go again.
- Take it, put it, everything is the same! shouted a voice. Another time they took him by the shoulders and put him on a stretcher.
- Oh my god! My God! What is it?.. Belly! This is the end! Oh my god! voices were heard among the officers. “It buzzed by a hair’s breadth,” said the adjutant. The peasants, having adjusted the stretcher on their shoulders, hurriedly set off along the path they had trodden to the dressing station.
- Walk in step ... Eh! .. peasant! - the officer shouted, stopping by the shoulders the peasants who were walking unevenly and shaking the stretcher.
“Make things right, Khvedor, but Khvedor,” said the man in front.
“That's it, it's important,” said the rear one happily, hitting the leg.
- Your Excellency? BUT? Prince? - Timokhin ran up in a trembling voice, looking into the stretcher.
Prince Andrei opened his eyes and looked from behind the stretcher, into which his head was deeply buried, at the one who spoke, and again lowered his eyelids.
The militia brought Prince Andrei to the forest, where the wagons stood and where there was a dressing station. The dressing station consisted of three spread out tents with rolled-up floors on the edge of a birch forest. There were wagons and horses in the birch forest. Horses in the ridges ate oats, and sparrows flew to them and picked up spilled grains. Crows, smelling blood, cawing impatiently, flew over on birches. Around the tents, more than two acres of space, lay, sat, stood bloody people in various clothes. Around the wounded, with dull and attentive faces, crowds of porter soldiers stood, who were vainly driven away from this place by the officers in charge of order. Not listening to the officers, the soldiers stood, leaning on the stretcher, and intently, as if trying to understand the difficult meaning of the spectacle, looked at what was happening in front of them. Loud, angry cries, then plaintive moans were heard from the tents. From time to time paramedics ran out of there for water and pointed to those that had to be brought in. The wounded, waiting at the tent for their turn, wheezed, moaned, cried, shouted, cursed, asked for vodka. Some were delusional. Prince Andrei, as a regimental commander, walking over the unbandaged wounded, was carried closer to one of the tents and stopped, waiting for orders. Prince Andrei opened his eyes and for a long time could not understand what was happening around him. Meadow, wormwood, arable land, a black spinning ball and his passionate outburst of love for life came to his mind. Two paces from him, speaking loudly and drawing general attention to himself, stood leaning on a bough and with his head tied, a tall, handsome, black-haired non-commissioned officer. He was wounded in the head and leg by bullets. Around him, eagerly listening to his speech, a crowd of wounded and porters gathered.
- We fucked him up like that, so we threw everything away, they took the king himself! shouted the soldier, shining with black, heated eyes and looking around him. - Come only at that very time, the reserve, his b, my brother, there is no rank left, therefore I tell you right ...
Prince Andrei, like everyone around the narrator, looked at him with a brilliant look and experienced a consoling feeling. But isn't it all the same now, he thought. – What will happen there and what was it here? Why did I feel so sorry for losing my life? There was something in this life that I did not understand and do not understand.

Panama has two climatic zones: lowlands (including Panama City) with a humid tropical climate and mountainous regions where average ("spring") temperatures are average all year round without sweltering heat and severe cold. In low-lying areas, the average daytime temperature is 25-30 degrees, it gets cooler in the evenings. ...

There are two climatic zones in Panama: lowlands (including Panama City) with a humid tropical climate and mountainous regions, where the average (“spring”) temperature is average all year round without sweltering heat and severe cold. In low-lying areas, the average daytime temperature is 25-30 degrees, it gets cooler in the evenings. In mountainous areas, the temperature can be from 10 to 27 degrees.

Panama has two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season lasts from mid-December to May, the wet season from May to December. During the dry season it rains very rarely, during the wet season it usually rains in the afternoon. It usually does not rain all day, so it is not a serious obstacle for tourists. The exceptions are the islands of Bocas del Toro and the mountainous region of Boquete. It can rain intermittently in Bokas. In Boquete, September and October are the rainiest months.

The climate of Panama

The subequatorial belt determines the climate of Panama almost throughout its entire territory. During all twelve months of the year, it is humid and hot here, and changes in average monthly temperatures usually do not exceed 1-2 degrees. The hottest region is the Pacific coast, where temperatures are 3-4 degrees higher than in the whole country. In the central regions of the country, where the mountainous terrain prevails, the average daily air temperature is 6-7 degrees lower than in the coastal regions. Panamanian climate is also characterized by year-round high humidity. During the year, up to 2000 mm of precipitation falls on the Pacific coast, and on the Caribbean coast and on the northern slopes of the mountains, the annual amount reaches 3500 mm. The rainy season lasts from May to December, and the short dry season here lasts from December to mid-April. The best time to travel to Panama is the dry season, as when the rains come, moving around the country turns into real torture. At this time, showers, although short, are very strong, and then the sun quickly dries the earth, while saturating the air with moisture.

Winters in Panama are hot and almost rainless. In December and January, the average temperature is +30…+31°C during the day and +23…+25°C at night. On the Panamanian Caribbean coast, the change in temperature during the day is not so noticeable. Warm air masses and warm currents completely determine the weather in Panama in winter. In February, in Panama, the temperature indicators rise slightly and reach +31 ... + 32 ° С at daytime and +24°C at night. The amount of precipitation in winter is negligible. The water temperature at this time of the year is kept at + 26 ° C.

Panamanian winter smoothly turns into spring, while the temperature of air and water almost does not change. In March, the thermometer stays at + 31 ... + 32 ° C during the day and + 24 ... + 25 ° C at night. In April and May in Panama, the average daytime temperature is + 31 ... + 33 ° С, and at night it reaches + 25 ... + 26 ° С. Due to the beginning of the rainy season, the weather in Panama in spring can turn from sunny to rainy, but the temperature remains consistently high. Precipitation in March and April in Panama is negligible. The amount of rain increases sharply starting from mid-May. The water temperature on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in March is kept at + 25 ° C, and in April and May the water warms up to + 26 ° C.

Summer is the rainy season. At this time of the year, the humidity is high, stuffy and hot. In June and July, the average temperature is +30...+31°C during the day and +24...+25°C at night. In August in Panama the temperature usually drops by 1-2 degrees and equals +29…+30°С and +23…+24°С respectively. It is generally accepted that the weather in Panama in the summer is not conducive to tourist trips. AT summer period a large amount of precipitation falls throughout the state. The water temperature off the Panamanian coast in June is +26°C, in July it warms up to +27°C and in August it cools down to +26°C.