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INDEX 2 Credits 3 Director Words Embassy and Consulates 4 5 Car rental & Airlines 6 Hotel Guide 9 Republic of Panama 25 Tips on Moving 33 La Pollera 35 Civic Clubs 37 Maps 95 Guild Theater 96 Smithsonian 99 MAC 101 Oncologic Hospital 103 Cerro Ancon 106 Ancon 107 Mi Pueblito 110 Cause Way Puente de Las Americas & Avenida de Los Martires 121 Panama Ports Company 123 124 Panama Railway Monumento a Arnulfo 128 Arias & Teatro Balboa 131 Balboa Union Church Administration Building 132 La Llama Eterna: La antigua Escuela de Balboa 134 Terminal de Transporte 137 139 Albrook Mall 140 Udelas 141 Autoridad Marítima Museo Antropologico 142 Reina Torres de Araúz
Parque Metropolitano Ciudad del Saber Puente Centenario Summit Garden Camino de Cruces Panama Canal Canal Adventure Casco Antiguo Instituto Nacional Santa Ana Plaza 5 de Mayo Parque Mahatma Gandhi Mercado de San Felipe Mercado del Marisco Football Avenida de Los Poetas & Parque Amelia Denis Palacio Legislativo Justo Arosemena & Plaza J. A. Remon C. Museo Afroantillano La Exposicion Gorgas Institute Cinta Costera Loteria Nacional Basilica Don Bosco Universidad de Panama Caja de Seguro Social Iglesia del Carmen Centro Bancario Caja de Ahorros Hotel El Panama Banco Nacional Avenida Samuel Lewis 1
144 147 149 150 155 157 169 173 193 195 202 204 205 206 210 208 211 214 216 227 229 231 233 235 245 239 242 246 247 248 249
Santuario Nacional Calle 50 Vida Nocturna Parque Urraca Teatro La Quadra Via Argentina La Cabeza de Einstein y Colegio de La Salle Teatro en Circulo Multicentro Multiplaza Parque Manuel M. Valdes Atlapa Parque Omar y Biblioteca Nacional Panama La Vieja Costa del Este Corredor Sur Teatro ABA Vía Ricardo J. Alfaro Super Centro El Dorado Templo Hindu Universidad Tecnologica Estadio Nacional Hipodromo Remon Ciudad Deportiva Aeropuerto de Tocumen Templo Baha´i Taboga Los Mandarinos Altos del María
151 252 255 263 265 267 272 274 275 277 276 279 281 283 289 290 291 293 295 297 298 299 301 303 306 308 309 311 315
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A Word from the Publisher
In Panama City, there is a very important street known as Via Ricardo J. Alfaro or “Tumba Muerto.” But who was Ricardo J. Alfaro? Where did we get the name “Tumba Muerto?” What points of interest are there for visitors? These are just a few of the answers you will discover inside the Panama City Explorer. We have crossed the city examining its places, its history, its mysteries, and its many beautiful attractions.This is a guide that will be beneficial to those that truly want to experience Panama City in its majestic entirety. The Panama City Explorer is ideal for visitors who wish to move easily from one place to another within the city; it is also perfect for residents who want to rediscover their hometown. We have created many highly detailed maps that include different hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, banks as well as other details
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and places that will all help guide you effortlessly through our streets and avenues. All the points of interest on the maps are detailed with corresponding text for easy reading. The maps depict the actual political limits of the City and its neighborhoods allowing you to be more aware of where and when you move from one area to the next. There will be improvement and new adventures to discover with every new edition of the Panama City Explorer. We are certain, however, that version 1.0 will be indispensible in showcasing the beauty of Panama City. Hope you enjoy discovering. Valerio Araúz A.
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Republic of Panama mulatos (white and black), black, indigenous Indian, as well as various other ethnicities.
Geographically, Panama is part of Central America. However, historically, Panama is culturally South American with Caribbean accents. As a bridge to many other places, Panama has many smaller influences from diverse cultures and places throughout the world. It has a population of approximately 3 million inhabitants composed of mestizos (a mix of indigenous Indian and European),
Where do Panamanians come from and what are the country’s origins? During the first years of the Spanish conquest and colonization, Panama occu-
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realized on September 25, 1513 when Vasco Nunez de Balboa ventured from Santa Maria la Antigua del Darién, which was the first successful European settlement in the Americas across the wild jungles and mountains of Panama, to discover the Southern Sea (the Pacific Ocean). In 1519, under the direction of the Governor of Panama, Pedarias Davilla relocated the capital to a small indige-
pied a strategic position on the world map. It is the narrowest part of the Central American Isthmus, a strip of land barely 80 kilometers wide that separates the Pacific from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1501, Rodrigo de Bastidas, who was the first European to have contact with the land that would later become Panama, first called this land “Escribano de Triana”. The importance of Panama was
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de Almagro, the conqueror of Chile. From Panama, the Spanish transported soldiers, armaments, and cargo, and they helped spread Hispanic culture and Christianity to their new colonies in South America. In turn, Spain received enormous amounts of gold and silver, most of which was transported through Panama. The Spanish imported black slaves from Senegal and Congo to handle the difficult job of manual labor. However, the slaves revolted, just like the indigenous Indians had done earlier before. The revolting slaves became known as “Cimarrons” and were lead by Felipillo and Bayano; the Cimarrons created serious problems during the transportation of merchandise, gold, silver, and with people across the Isthmus. The contact between the different Spanish and native groups like the European Spanish, Native Spanish (children of Spaniards born in America), indigenous Indians, and blacks created the first mixture of races on the Isthmus.
Top: Rodrigo de Bastidas Bottom: Vasco Nuñez de Balboa
nous fishing village on the Pacific side of Panama. Soon after, on August 15, 1519, Panama City became the first European settlement on the Pacific. Panama City would play a large role in the future conquest of the Incas and in the rest of South America as it would become the launching point for both Francisco Pizzaro, the conqueror of Peru, and Diego
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Spain accumulated great amounts of wealth and prestige with the growth of its American colonies. Because of this tremendous wealth, the Spanish Crown drew the attention of pirates and English privateers. One of the first pirates was the Welshman Henry Morgan who, on January 21, 1671, ransacked and burned the original Panama City. The city was reconstructed two years later to the southwest of the original site in the safer location of Casco Viejo. Another burden to the Spanish in Panama was the English privateer Francis Drake, who was commissioned by the English Crown to harass the Spanish. Drake forged alliances with the rebellious Cimarrons and this allowed him to steal gold, silver, and jewel shipments bound for Spain.
Top: Portobelo Fair Bottom: Henry Morgan
change and liberty to the Americas. The end of the Spanish era led to the start of New Granada. Inspired by Simon Bolivar, a group of Panamanian landowners and merchants with the assistance of commanding Spanish General Jose de Fabrega, decided to declare independence from Spain on No-
A rather tranquil century allowed Panama to blossom until the age of revolutions came about. The American Revolution and the French Revolution not only transformed the world map, but also brought with them the winds of
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vember 28, 1821; they annexed themselves to Gran Colombia in 1822. Gran Colombia was a powerful and united South American nation that consisted of the modern Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama; it was the dream of Simon Bolivar because he knew this new nation would be able to repel any attempts by Spain to reconquer its former colonies. Bolivar, in his famous letter from Jamaica, expressed his thoughts on Gran Colombia and Panama by stating that, "It would be a magnificent idea to create a single nation from the entire New World with a singular link binding all its parts. Since all the parts have a common origin, language, customs, and religion, they should have a single government that allied all the different states; how beautiful would it be, if the Isthmus of Panama were to become for us what Corinth was for the Greeks! I hope someday we will have the good fortune to gather a congress of representatives from all the diffe-
rent republics, kingdoms, and empires to discuss common interests of peace and war, with the other nations of the world. This type of corporation could take place in some fortunate era during our regeneration.” Bolivar’s idea became a reality on June 22, 1826 when Panama City hosted the Congress of Panama, with representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, United Republics of Central America, United States, Gran Colombia, Chile, Mexico, and Peru. The main objective of the meeting was to form a confederation to defend the continent against the probable actions of European powers trying to recapture lost territories in America. This congress was the seed that would later bare fruit as the OAS, the Organization of American States. Bolivar’s dream was short-lived as jealousy and intrigue among politicians, generals, and wealthy families of the time plotted for self-go-
Simon Bolivar
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to restore order. Alzuru was apprehended and executed shortly thereafter. This resulted in reuniting Panama with the newly renamed New Granada. On November 18, 1840 during the New Granada War of Supremes, a civil conflict arose in which 12 out of the 20 New Granada’s provinces declared themselves independent. One of these newly formed nations was the Free State of Isthmus under general Tomas Herrera. Panamanians drew up a constitution in order to start up their own government and even received recognition from the United States and Costa Rica. However, at the completion of the civil war on December 31,1841, Panama once again became part of New Granada.
General Jose de Fabrega
vernance. Venezuela and Ecuador decided to follow their own singular path and seceded from Gran Colombia in 1830.
In order to avert further separatist movements and quell fear of English interventions in the Isthmus, the New Granada government negotiated the MallarinoBidlack Treaty with the United States on December 12, 1846. The treaty gave the United States various rights. These rights included special transit privileges, facilities, immunities, and most importantly, it allowed U.S. access to the government in Bogota, which gave the U.S. the right to use military intervention to subdue any consequent uprising or rebellions on the Isthmus and to keep Panama as part of New Granada. This treaty allowed William Henry Aspinwall, Henry Chauncey, and John Lloyd Stephens to negotiate the Stephens-Paredes contract with New Granada. This contract allowed for the creation of the world’s first trans-continental railroad to be built on the Isthmus in 1855.
The bad news had immediate repercussions in Panama. That same year, General Jose Domingo Espinar, Military Commander of the Isthmus, in opposition to the new government of Bolivar’s successor Joaquin Mosquera, declared Panama independent and offered Bolivar to head the new nation in order to continue his work toward a great nation. Due to his poor health, Bolivar declined and asked Espinar to return the Isthmus back to Gran Colombia. On December 11 1830, Espinar complied with Bolivar’s wishes and returned to Gran Colombia. The following year in June 9, 1831, Colonel Juan Eligio Alzuru imprisoned General Espinar and eventually exiled him from Panama. Alzuru proclaimed himself as dictator, and with the support of the nationalists in Panama, seceded once again from Gran Colombia. Alzuru was unscrupulous, cruel, and lost all the support he had on the Isthmus. Coronel Tomas Herrera was dispatched
Once the railroad was completed, nume-
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nada government assumed responsibility for the incident under the Herran-Cass contract, and paid $412,394 in compensation. Prosperity for both Panama and the Panama Railroad came to an end on May 10, 1869, when the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States was completed at Promontory Summit in Utah. The three-to-four week trip from New York to San Francisco via the Panama Railroad could now be completed in a week aboard the Union Pacific and the Transcontinental Railroad. It was as if a fortunate wind had blown across the Isthmus in 1875 when the famed builder of the Suez Canal, Count Ferdinand de Lesseps made his first public declaration for the construction of a Panama Canal. By January 1881, the French engineers of Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interoceanique arrived in Colon to commence construction. Count de Lesseps initially estimated the cost for the canal to be 658 million francs and would take approximately 8 years to complete. Unfortunately, for the French and Count de Lesseps, the hills and rivers of Panama would be much more difficult to conquer than the flat sands of Egypt. Therefore, the French failed in their attempt to build the canal and lost over 20,000 people in the attempt; they also lost 1.5 billion in francs. The Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interoceanique went bankrupt on September 15,1889. However, Panama was fortunate in that the Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama was soon organized to replace the original French endeavor to attempt to complete the canal. Most importantly for Panama, the company would bring Phillipe Buneau Varilla back to the country.
General Tomas Herrera
rous merchants and adventure seekers arrived in Panama enroute to the gold mines of California. This influx of visitors ushered in a period of great prosperity for both the Panama Railroad Company and for the Isthmus. Sudden prosperity, along with the mixture of various cultures, brought economic and social changes to the Isthmus, which, in turn, caused incidents. On April 15, 1856, a drunken Jack Oliver from the U.S., decided to eat a 5 cent watermelon without paying Panamanian Jose Manuel Luna. An argument ensued where Oliver drew a weapon and fired. This led to a battle between locals and foreigners. The end result was the burning of the terminus of the railroad and the deaths of 2 Panamanians and 16 Americans. This event was dubbed as the “Watermelon Slice Incident,” and led the United States to accuse the authorities of New Granada of lacking the necessary security for free travel through the Isthmus. Therefore, the U.S. sent military forces to protect American citizens and interests. This was the first of many U.S. military interventions on the Isthmus. The New Gra-
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was able to use his vast influences in the Republican Party of the U.S. to get the Spooner Act passed, which authorized the United States to purchase the assets of the Panama Canal from the French. The Herran-Hay treaty was drawn up in January 1903 between Colombia and the United States. However, the treaty failed to pass the Colombian Senate. In response, Buneau Varilla and Cromwell’s group formulated a plan for Panama’s independence in Room 1162 of the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. Two of Cromwell’s Panama Railroad employees would lead the revolt for independence: the doctor of the Panama Railroad, Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero, and the lawyer for the Panama Railroad, José Agustín Arango. Cromwell and Buneau Varilla would use their influence on the Republican U.S. President to gain support for Panama’s independence (a clear violation of Mallarino-Bidlack treaty). On November 2, the U.S. gunboat, USS Nashville, arrived in Colon and on the very next day, Guerrero and Arango declared Panama’s independence from Colombia. With further support of several other U.S. gunboats on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides of Panama, Colombia was unable to recapture her lost territory; after 82 years of being together and countless ups and downs, the relationship between these two nations had finally come to an end. Panama received quick recognition of her independence and less than three weeks later, the Hay- Buneau Varilla Treaty was signed. This treaty helped provide the United States with better terms than that of the previous failed one, the Herran-Hay Treaty.
Top: Ferdinand de Lesseps Bottom: Phillipe Buneau Varilla
Buneau Varilla was sent to Panama in 1884 as the first engineer hired by the original French company to assist with the canal. He quickly rose through the ranks and became chief engineer. In 1894, Buneau Varilla returned to Panama with Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama as a major investor. Along with a group headed by influential New York lawyer and President of the Panama Railroad, William Nelson Cromwell, Buneau Varilla was able to redirect the United States plans for a Central American canal from Nicaragua to Panama. Cromwell
In 1904, the United States began construction of the Panama Canal. To the
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Panama Canal construction
► The election of the first President of Panama, Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero. ► The Constitution of 1904. ► The creation of the Canal Zone with soldiers, families, and residents that functioned as a separate country. ► The start of the Panama Canal and the arrival of 75,000 laborers – the majority of which came from the West Indies and provided the hard labor needed for the construction of the canal. ► The failed coup attempt by General Esteban Huertas, which caused the dissolution of the military in November 1904. ► The presidential election of 1912, the first of three terms of Belisario Porras, the creator of some of the most important institutions in the country. ► The official inauguration of the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914. ► The territorial dispute with Costa Rica, which led to an informal war in 1921. ► The elevation of the indigenous Kuna Indians and the creation of the Republic of Tule in 1925.
amazement of the world, the Canal was finished on August 15, 1914. The original planned splendor for the inauguration could not be fulfilled as anticipated because the world had gone to war two months earlier. Life as a Republic The Hay-Buneau Varilla Treaty assured the separation of Panama from Colombia but it also became a source of conflict between the United States and Panama for many years. The treaty gave the U.S. the right to not only build a canal but also gave the U.S. perpetual use of an area five miles on both sides of the canal for use in operation, protection, and maintenance of the canal. Although the document was the reason the country existed, many Panamanians deemed the treaty unjust, especially since the originators of the canal, the Frenchmen, had always represented Panama’s interest first. In the first years of the Republic of Panama, the nation witness many of its firsts:
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► The first successful coup d’état organized by Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid on January 2,1931 against the government of President Florencio Harmodio Arosemena. Large social movements characterized Panama in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The creation of social institutions as well as steps toward the modernization of the country all took place to improve Panama during this time. ► The most notable was the creation of the University of Panama in 1935. ► La Escuela Normal in 1939 ► The creation of the office of General Finance Comptroller ► The Social Security Office ► The Constitution of 1946
General Omar Torrijos Herrera
different from all previous coups in the sense that the military did not relinquish control of the country to civil authorities. Torrijos eventually exiled Martinez and became a dictator.
Additionally, there were other political and historical events that helped shape Panama into the country we have today.
Under the dictatorship of Torrijos, Panama witnessed the following:
► The coup d’état of Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid in 1941 ► The second coup d’état of Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid in 1951 ► The assassination of President Jose Antonio Remon Cantera in 1955
► The elimination of all political parties. ► The elimination of constitutional rights such as: freedom of the press and free assembly. There were many imprisonments, exiles, and many cases of people disappearing during this time.
During the 60s, the country witnessed many difficult moments in national politics and in international relations. Amongst the most notable were:
However, under Torrijos, Panama also witnessed many positive aspects:
► The riots of January 9, 1964 that, for a time, severed relations between Panama and the United States. This led to a new treaty in regard to the Canal. ► The third coup d’état against Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid by Boris Martinez and Omar Torrijos. This coup d’état was
► The extensive opening of educational opportunities for the masses. ► The negotiation and passing of the Torrijos-Carter treaty on September 7, 1977 that returned sovereignty of the Canal Zone back to Panama. The treaty included stipulations that Panama would
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Herrera confessed to all the corrupt and illegal dealings he and Noriega perpetrated against the republic. The result was a civil movement against the government, but chiefly against Manuel Antonio Noriega and his Fuerzas de Defensa. The country suffered an economic breakdown when the U.S. imposed an economic embargo against Panama in the hopes of rooting out Noriega. There was much celebration on May 2, 1989 when Guillermo Endara defeated Noriega’s candidate for president. As a result, Noriega voided the election and declared himself leader of the government and announced war against the United States. The U.S. responded by invading Panama on December 20, 1989. General Manuel Antonio Noriega was deposed and imprisoned in Miami under charges of money laundering and drug trafficking. Guillermo Endara presumed as president of the Republic as he had received the majority of votes in the earlier election. His term was marked by the reinstatement of a stable institution that was long ago banished and, more importantly, by the reconstruction of the nation’s economy.
General Manuel Antonio Noriega
be democratized once again, and required for political parties to be reinstated. The process was interrupted by the death of Torrijos when his plane crashed on July 31, 1981. The death of General Torrijos abruptly ushered in a new era. This era was marked by the following events and facts: ► The internal power struggle by the military. Torrijos was succeeded by Colonel Florencio Flores, and only after a few months, Flores was followed by Ruben Dario Paredes and finally by Manuel Antonio Noriega.
In the election of May 1994, Dr. Ernesto Perez Balladares was elected. The wife of Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Mireya Moscoso, followed Balladares in 1999 and presided over the complete return of the Canal Zone to Panama from the United States on December 31, 1999 under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaty. In 2004 Martin Torrijos, the son of General Omar Torrijos rose to the presidency.
The era of Noriega was different from all other previous eras in Panama’s history. This time period was marked by attacks on the populist, abuse of civil law, the physical attack of opponents, drug trafficking, and murder. In June of 1987, Noriega forced the retirement of Colonel Robert Diaz Herrera, his replacement in the line of succession. In retaliation, Diaz
Presently, Panama is the country with greatest growth and development in Latin America. It is a healthy democracy with extensive liberties, securities, and
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space for further prosperity and for private initiative. Panamanian administration of the Canal has proved to be as efficient and as well managed as it was by the United States. Panama has grown tremendously and currently has one of the most important banking centers in the world. It is quickly becoming a vanguard in the service sectors with countless successful law firms, insurance companies, shopping areas, and call centers. Panama’s ecological wealth has spawned a budding tourism industry.
37.0% 15-59 years 56.3%, 60+ years 6.7% ► Area: 75,517 Km2 ► Divisions: 9 provinces and 5 comarcas ► Government: Constitutional Democracy ► Legal System: Based on Civil Law, judicial review of legislative acts by a Supreme Court of Justice, with acceptance of jurisdiction of international courts with certain reserved rights. ► Language: Spanish, while English is widely spoken in Panama City, Colon, and Bocas del Toro. ► Literacy: 90% ► Climate: Tropical with an annual temperature of 27 C. ► Religion: Free Religion. The majority of the country’s population is Christian. The breakdown is approximately 80% Roman Catholic, 10% Evangelical and the remaining 10% divided between Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons.
Statistical data of the Republic of Panama ► Official Name: Republic of Panama ► Location: Relatively in the center of the Western Hemisphere, as a natural bridge between North America and South America at the following coordinates: The 7º12’07" and 9º38’46" of North Latitude and the 77º09’24" and 83º03’07" of West Longitude. The country is bordered to the North by the Atlantic Ocean & Caribbean Sea. To the east, it is bordered by the Republic of Colombia, to the south by the Pacific Ocean, and finally to the west by the Republic of Costa Rica. ► Capital: Panama City ► Nationality: Panamanian ► Population: 3,191, 319 (est.) ► Distribution by Age: 0-14 years
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Ngöbé-Buglé
Ethnic Groups
► Time Zone: GMT -5 ► Currency: American Dollar, with Panamanian Balboa coins with the same equivalent as American coins. ► Commerce: Open between the hours of 8 to 10 AM in the morning and close 6 to 8 in the evening. ► Tips: Normally 10% of the bill ► Driver’s License: Visitors are allowed to drive up to 90 days with a foreign license ► Electricity: 110 volts – 60 cycles ► Dress: Relatively based on climate. It is recommended to use light articles of clothing. For business, attire is formal, a light suit for men and a pantsuit for women. ► Airlines: The national airline is Copa Airlines with flights to both North and South America. Other airlines include – Taca Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Iberia and KLM.
Ngöbé-Buglé This is the largest of the indigenous groups in the country. With a population of about 110,080, the Ngobe-Bugle represents 63.6% of the native population in the country. They are chiefly located in the Ngöbé-Buglé Comerica, an area carved out in 1997 from Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, and Veraguas. They have their own language but are able to speak Spanish with the Latin community once they leave Comerica. They are generally conservative and maintain with passion the importance of their religion, traditions, and social organizations. The clothing worn by the Ngöbé-Buglé depends on where they are presently located. However, traditional attire is used in Comerica. They have their own political organization but they also have adopted the politi-
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to the domestic economy. Although they are the group with the most connections with the Latin community of Panama, they are also well entrenched in their own traditions, political organizations, social aspects, religion, history, homes, and, especially with the women, the attire.
Kuna
cal molds of the rest of the republic. Kuna These natives occupy an area of the republic known as the Archipelago de Las Mulatas and the costal area of the Caribbean north of the provinces of Panama and Darien. It is estimated that 32,446 Kuna reside in the archipelago while another 3,305 reside on the mainland. As coconut cultivators, fishermen, and lobstermen, the Kuna are important in contributing
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Emberas The third indigenous group in Panama is the Emberas. They number approximately 14,659 and nearly 80% of their numbers reside in the districts of Chepigana, Pinogana, and in the province of Darien. Historically they were known as the Chocos as they were originally native to the Choco region of Colombia. The Embera were a migratory culture constantly moving between the jungles and rivers. Their group finally settled in Darien near the Chucunaque, Tuira Rivers in the northwest and Sabanas, Jaque, Sambu, and Balsas Rivers to the south. The Embera are generally dedicated to agriculture and focus primarily on banana growth as their main cash crop. Hunting and fishing was also part of their work. Their language is Embera but they speak Spanish as well. Wounaan Their population numbers approximately 2,605. The Wounaan is linguistically different with the Emberas but share
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much of the same territory and many of the same customs. They are situated in the Darien province with a small sect numbering approximately 300 living in Chiman in the province of Panama.
changing world. The Teribes are a tribe that number roughly 375 and reside on the back of the Rio Teribe in Changuinola. They speak Teribe or Terraba, but are additionally fluent in Spanish.
Naso-Teribe Naso-Teribe reside on the banks of the Rio Naso, in the area of Changuinola in the Bocas del Toro province. Their population numbers approximately 2,200 and is dispersed among 11 communities. The leader of the Naso has restricted immigration of his people to the banana plantations of Changuninola in attempt to maintain traditions in an ever-
Bri-bri The Bri-Bri reside on both sides of the border of Panama and Costa Rica. They are considered a part of the Guaymi family making them a sect of the Ngöbé-Buglé.
Emberá
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Bokota Is a group that numbers 200 that reside in the territory of the Ngöbé-Buglé.
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WE KNOW YOUR BUSINESS...
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La Pollera The craft and folkloric expression of countries are best appreciated through their music, dances and crafts (ceramics, hats, wood engravings, leatherworks, and finery). You cannot speak of folklore in Panama without mentioning “La Pollera,” the country’s national dress. “La Pollera” truly stands out with its accessories of gold tokens and accents. This stunning ensemble hails originally from the Azuero Peninsula and is a beautiful compliment to the women of Panama.
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Civic Clubs of Panama The civic clubs of Panama are not-for-profit organizations that promote social programs for the welfare of the community while reinforcing moral and civic values. They are affiliated with international organizations that serve as both models and links to obtain international assistance. The biggest civic club representatives in the country are the following:
Kiwanis Club of Panama This is an international organization that promotes community service through volunteer work and the development of leaders in order to improve the quality of life for communities around the world. Their motto “To serve the children of the world,” clearly expresses its focus on the world’s youth. The Panamanian chapter was founded on October 20, 1967
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and has a variety of programs that emphasize sports, health, culture, civic, and social work activities.
Rotary Club of Panama The Rotary Club of Panama is an international organization for business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace around the world. The Panama City chapter has been active since November 1, 1919. It is one of the oldest chapters in Latin America after the now defunct chapters in Havana (1915) and Montevideo (1918). There are a total of 10 Rotary Club chapters in Panama, each dedicated to promoting friendship, education, health and well being to their respective communities.
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ment on, the Lions Club has fought to bring hope and better conditions for the blind and for those who have vision impairments. The Panamanian chapter of the Lions Club was founded on January 28, 1936.
Lions Club of Panama The members of the Lions Club of Panama provide health related programs that bring awareness to the conservation of sight, hearing, and speech. They also have other programs that include diabetes awareness, youth outreach, international relations, environmental issues, as well as many others that support the local communities. In 1925, at Cedar Point, Ohio in the United States, Helen Keller gave a speech challenging the Lions to become the “The Gentleman of the blind in a crusade against the darkness.” From that mo-
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Club Activo 20-30 This is a social club that encourages young men to actively contribute to the welfare of their community. Members are dynamic professionals and businessmen recognized for civic and moral integrity. Each year the club sponsors their famous Teleton 20-30 (Telethon 2030).
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