Panama borders Colombia, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and the
Pacific Ocean. The two oceans are linked
by the man-made Panama Canal, cut into a gap between the Cordillera de
Talamanca and the San Blas mountain range and stretching for over 65km (40
miles).
With US backing, Panama seceded from
Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the
construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either
side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The
Panama Canal was built by the US Army
Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an
agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to
Panama by 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility
over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help,
dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the
area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned
over to Panama on 31 December 1999.
The Panama Canal to
the west of Panama City naturally attracts many visitors. An average
transit takes eight hours to complete.
Panama City, the capital, is a city
with a multicultural mixture. There are elements of old Spain, modern
America commercialism and atmosphere of the bazaar's of the East. In the
old part of the city with its narrow, cobblestoned streets, most of the
interesting sights are to be found. These include the Plaza de Francia and
the President's Palace, the most impressive building in the city. Panama
City in particular has a wide range of nightlife from nightclubs and
casinos to folk ballet, belly dancing and classical theatre.
Colón is the second-biggest city.
Visitors should see the cathedral and the statues on the promenade known
as the Paseo Centenario. Local dishes include ceviche (fish marinated in
lime juice, onions and peppers) and palacones de plátano (fried
plantain).
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