Panama+-+Wenhao+Li

= Republic of Panama = (Republica de Panamà)toc

=National Flag=



The flag of Panama is sectioned into four quarters. The top left and bottom right quarters are white. The top right section is red and the bottom left is blue. In the top left white section there is a blue, five-point star and in the bottom right white section there is a red, five-point star.

The Panamanian flag's colors represent the two political parties of Panama, the Liberals (red) and the Conservatives (blue). The white represents the peace between two parties. The blue color represents the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea and red represents the blood for the independence of Panama. Four stars is the symbol loyalty and resilience.

=National Anthem=

media type="file" key="Panama National Anthem.mp3" width="275" height="66" align="left"

Composer: Santos Jorge (1870-1941)   Panama National Anthem Lyrics

Alcanzamos por fin la victoria En el campo feliz de la unión; Con ardientes fulgores de gloria Se ilumina la nueva nación.

Es preciso cubrir con un velo Del pasado el calvario y la cruz; Y que adorne el azul de tu cielo De concordia la espléndida luz. El progreso acaricia tus lares. Al compás de sublime canción, Ves rugir a tus pies ambos mares Quedan rumbo a tu noble misión.

En tu suelo cubierto de flores A los besos del tibio terral, Terminaron guerreros fragores; Sólo reina el amor fraternal. Adelante la pica y la pala, Al trabajo sin más dilación, Y seremos así prez y gala De este mundo feraz de Colón.

= National Maps =

Political map


Panama Political Map shows in details the states, state capitals and other important cities of Panama. The capital city of Panama is also by the same name. It is located on the geographical coordinates of 8° 58' North and 79° 32' West latitude and longitude respectively. It is identifiable on the Political Map of Panama by a red square box. 

Geographical Map


=National Fact=

**Panama location** : Located in the  Central America between Costa Rica to the north and Colombia. Panama borders on the Caribbean Sea in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the south, Colombia in the east and Costa Rica in the west.

**Panama Language:** Spanish (official), English (14%) and Indian languages

**Panama Religion:** 85% Roman Catholic, 10% Protestant, 5% Islamic


 * //Panama literacy : //**// 92% //

**Panama Government:** Democracy

**Panama President:** Ricardo Martinelli (2009)

**Panama Area:** 78,000 sq km (30,420 sq mi)


 * Panama vote:** 5 years


 * Panama Population:** 2,735,943 (growth rate 1.56%)

**Panama Capital city:** Panama City (pop 610,000)

**Panama Currency:** Balboa (B/.1 = US$ 1) US dollar is used.

**Panama People:** 65% mestizo, 14% African descent, 10% Spanish descent - white, 5% mulatto, 6% Ameridian

**Panama** **Electricity:** Variable - either 110V or 220V - 60 hz.)

**Panama Climate:** tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season

**Imports:** $15.95 billion (2010 est.)

**Exports:** $11.33 billion (2010 est.)

=History Timeline=

**1502** - **__Spanish explorer__** Rodrigo de Bastidas visits Panama, which was home to Cuna, Choco, Guaymi and other indigenous peoples.

**1509** Beginnings of slave trade to **__ New World __**

1**513** Sept 25, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Spanish explorer, crossed the Isthmus of Panama and claimed the Pacific Ocean for **__Spain__**

**1514** 1,500 **__ Spanish settlers __** go to Panama

**1519** Panama becomes Spanish **__Vice-royalty__** of New Andalucia (later New Granada)

**1522** First slave revolt in America occurs in Hispaniola

**1566** Two million Indians die in South America of typhoid fever

**1810** - Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon

**1821** - Panama becomes **__independent__** of Spain

**1821** - Panama joins the confederacy of Gran Colombia which consists of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia

**1830** - Panama becomes part of Colombia following the collapse of Gran Colombia.

**1850's** - the building of the Panama Railway which is the **__ first __** Transcontinental railway of the New World crossing the isthmus from Colon to Panama City

**1880s** France makes a **__ failed __** attempt to build a Canal to link the Atlantic and Pacific

**1903** November 3 - Panama **__splits__** from Colombia and becomes fully independent

**1903** US buys **__ rights __** to build Panama Canal and **__controls__** the waterway for nearly a century



**1915** Official opening of the Panama Canal a massive achievement - the Panama Canal is **__ 65 km __** ( 40 miles ) in length

**1939** Panama __** ceases **__ to be a US protectorate

**1988** - US charges Noriega with drug smuggling; Noriega declares state of emergency in the wake of a failed coup.

**2000** Control of the canal **__ passes __** **__from USA to Panama__** by the Torrijos-Carter treaty



=Famous Countrymen=

**Rod Carew** (born Oct. 1, 1945, Gatn, Pan.) Panamanian-born U.S. baseball player. Carew moved from Panama to New York City in 1962, where he learned sandlot ball. His highest average was .388, in 1977. He was traded in 1979 to the California (later Anaheim) Angels and retired in 1986 with a lifetime batting average of .328.



**Roberto Durán Samaniego** (born June 16, 1951) is a retired Panamaian professional boxer widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. A versatile brawler in the ring, he was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra" ("Stone Fists," //although the literal translation is// "Hands of Stone") during his career.



**Victoriano Lorenzo** is one of the greatest hero is Panama history. He born in 1867 when Panama is still a part of US. He is a freedom fighter and also waged wars in Colombia fighting for Panama's freedom. He was hanged in Panama six months later after Panama became independent.



=Picture=

Panama City

Panama Canal



Panama Beach



Panama Sky View

=Attraction=

Panama belongs to the sea
In Panama, sea life blossoms in a colorful explosion. In both marine slopes – Pacific and Caribbean – coral reefs carry an extraordinary biodiversity which offer a scenery of undescribable beauty.



Small country, great city

 * Visit Old Panama **

Panama City was founded on August 15, 1519 by Pedro Arias Davila, known as Pedrarias, as the first Spanish city on the shores of the South Sea or Pacific Ocean, and the oldest city on land that exists even today.




 * Visit the Panama Canal **

The Panama Canal is still one of the engineering wonders of the world, the "Mars probe" of the Wright Brothers" days. It is awesome to see a container ship gliding through massive locks and past a rain forest.

The city that lives the night
A city of eternal fun and entertainment. In Panama, the nights breath action and enthusiasm. That’s **Panama City** !



=Video of Panama=

media type="youtube" key="_UxJSKwMVI8" height="315" width="560"

=National Holiday=

January 1 – New Year’s Day January 9 **–** Martyr’s Day Monday Before Ash Wednesday – **Carnival Monday** Tuesday Before Ash Wednesday – **Carnival Tuesday** Friday of Holy Week – Holy Friday (Death of Christ) May 1 – Labor Day November 3 – **Separation Day** November 4 – Flag Day November 5 – **Colon Day** November 10 – **The Uprising in the Villa de Los Santos** November 28 – **Independence Day** December 8 – Mother’s Day December 25 – Christmas

**CARNIVAL IN PANAMA** Panama’s Carnival celebrations take place the four days prior to Ash Wednesday. Commemorated since the early 1900s, Panama’s Carnival is the second largest in the entire world. The main streets of Panama City and Las Tablas, where the bulk of the celebrating takes place, fill up with parades, costumes, floats, masks, confetti and, of course, revelers. The highlight of many celebrations includes the selection of the Carnival Queen and her attendants.During carnival work comes to a complete stop (more or less). Many restaurants are closed, car rental agencies have no inventory available and many services are just not available except, of course, in large hotels, which are usually multinational. Even the bars are closed!

     <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">**SEPARATION DAY & COLON DAY** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">On November 3, 1903 Panama formally separated from Colombia and established the Republic of Panama. Since declaring independence from Spain in 1821, Panama was part of the Republic of Gran Colombia. However, Panama tried to claim its independence several times during this period. Finally, with the assistance of the United States, the country became an independent nation in 1903. Panamanians celebrate this day with parades. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">Colon Day is Panama’s version of Columbus Day. It is celebrated on November 5th each year.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">**UPRISING IN VILLA LOS SANTOS & INDEPENDENCE DAY** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">November 10th is the day that Panamanians remember the ‘uprising in Villa Los Santos’. On this date in 1821 the citizens of Los Santos in Panama’s southernmost province declared their independence from Spain. They preempted Panama City’s decision to become independent of the colonial power. However, the declaration urged Panama City to act. A meeting was held in the capital city and the decision was made for Panama to formally declare its independence on November 28th that same year. Panama became part of Colombia just a few weeks later.

**Semana Santa** A huge occasion in Latin America and of course Panama. Semana Santa means Holy Week, and is celebrated during the week prior to Easter Sunday. There are a variety of events and celebrations held during the week. Some of the processions are the most festive and interesting to watch.



These are the celebrations that take place 40 days after Easter. The most well recognized celebrations take place in the Villa de los Santos. People will wear masks, costumes, participate in dances and other processsions. An interesting spectacle to say the least.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">**SEPARATION DAY & COLON DAY** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">On November 3, 1903 Panama formally separated from Colombia and established the Republic of Panama. Since declaring independence from Spain in 1821, Panama was part of the Republic of Gran Colombia. However, Panama tried to claim its independence several times during this period. Finally, with the assistance of the United States, the country became an independent nation in 1903. Panamanians celebrate this day with parades. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">Colon Day is Panama’s version of Columbus Day. It is celebrated on November 5th each year.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">**INDEPENDENCE DAY** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Tahoma; font-size: 10px; text-align: left;">November 10th is the day that Panamanians remember the ‘uprising in Villa Los Santos’. On this date in 1821 the citizens of Los Santos in Panama’s southernmost province declared their independence from Spain. They preempted Panama City’s decision to become independent of the colonial power. However, the declaration urged Panama City to act. A meeting was held in the capital city and the decision was made for Panama to formally declare its independence on November 28th that same year. Panama became part of Colombia just a few weeks later.

=Special Food=

**CARIMAÑOLA** - A roll made from ground and boiled Yucca and filled with chopped meat and boiled eggs. The roll is then fried before serving.



**EMPANADAS** - These are something like a Cornish pastry. Some are made from flour pastry and others from corn pastry. They can be filled with meat, chicken or cheese.



**TORTILLAS** - Are made from ground maize and fried like a pancake.



**TAMALES** - A very popular local delicacy these are made from boiled ground corn, with spices, chiken or pork inside. The Tamal is wrapped in a banana leaf and boiled before serving.



**TAJADAS** (Platano Maduro) - A ripe plantain cut in slices, lenghtways and baked with cinamon.



=Drink=

**//Panama Seco//:** Seco ("dry") is the official beverage of Panama. Distilled from sugar cane, seco is a clear 80 proof liquor, typically used in place of vodka or rum in cocktails. It's also often mixed with milk. Seco Herrerano is the most popular brand of seco, brewed by the same family who invented seco in Panama in 1908. In Panama, seco is often sold packaged together with a mixer.



Simple recipe
**Ingredients**
 * Recipe of TAMALES**
 * 7 cups fresh corn kernels, from 7 ears
 * 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
 * 1/2 cup granulated sugar
 * 1 egg
 * 1/2 tablespoon salt
 * 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
 * 1/2 cup harina de maiz (dried corn flour) *
 * 20 dried corn husks, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes*
 * *Can be found in Hispanic grocery stores

**Directions** Working batches, add the corn kernels to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the egg, salt, and baking powder. Mix to incorporate. Add the flour and pureed corn and mix until blended and forms a loose smooth dough. Put a corn husk lengthwise in front of you with the wide side closest to you. Spread 3 tablespoons of the dough all over the bottom half (wide side) of the corn husk, leaving about a 1-inch-wide border on the left and right sides. Pick up the 2 long sides of the corn husk and bring them together. Roll both sides of the corn husks in the same direction over the filling. Repeat with remaining corn husks and dough. Arrange the tamales, seam side down, in a steamer and add 1/2-inch of water. Cover with a tight fitting lid, bring to a simmer and steam for 1 hour, adding additional water, as needed to maintain 1/2-inch of water in the pan. Remove the tamales from the steamer to a serving platter and serve.

= Futher Information =


 * Panama tour guide :http://www.visitpanama.com/
 * Panama detail fact: http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0107870.html
 * Panama food : http://www.spanishabroad.com/panama/panamacity/pc_food.htm

=Work Sited (Bibliography)=

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Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.dipity.com/nzz815/personal/>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Download Free Panama Maps." //Download Free Panama Maps//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.mapcruzin.com/free-panama-maps.htm>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Empanadas | Pierre's Catering." //Empanadas | Pierre's Catering//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://pierrecatering.com/?page_id=163>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Flickriver: Most Interesting Photos from Herrera, Panama." //Flickriver: Most Interesting Photos from Herrera, Panama//. Web. 24 May 2012. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"><http://www.flickriver.com/places/Panama/Herrera/>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Food & Drink." //Frommers.com//. 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Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/panama/panama-political-map.html>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Panama National Anthem Lyrics - Panama National Anthem." //Panama National Anthem Lyrics - Panama National Anthem//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/nationalanthemslyrics/panamanationalanthemlyrics.html>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Panama Seco." //About.com Central America Travel//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://gocentralamerica.about.com/od/recipes/g/Panama_Seco.htm>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Political Map of Panama and Panama Details Map." //Political Map of Panama and Panama Details Map//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-america/panama-maps.html>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Rod Carew." //Â¡Viva Baseball! -//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/viva/roster/rodcarew.asp>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Rod Carew." //Â¡Viva Baseball! -//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/viva/roster/rodcarew.asp>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"A Short Guide to Panamanian Typical Food." //:: Typical Food, Panamanian Food, Panama Food || Focus Panama :://. Web. 24 May 2012. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"><http://www.focuspublicationsint.com/focuspanama/en/food.htm>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"SULLY BASEBALL." //: The Lost Rings of the 1982 Angels//. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://sullybaseball.blogspot.com/2011/07/lost-rings-of-1982-angels.html>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">"Timeline: Panama." //BBC News//. BBC, 01 June 2012. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1229333.stm>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px;">VocalNationalAnthems. "Panama National Anthem." //YouTube//. YouTube, 10 May 2010. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lrAl8Qf92c>.

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