About Panama

Panama has always been an extremely fortunate country since the discovery of America. In the first place, because of its geographic position, between two oceans. The great discoverer Christopher Columbus, in his trip to the Indies, was attracted by the charm of the breeze of one of these oceans, and Vasco Núñez de Balboa in 1502, discovered the other ocean. The creation of the first inter-ocean railway in the world, between 1849 and 1850 by the New Yorker Panama Rail Road Company united by land these two oceans. In 1914, Panama made true its dream of uniting the waters of these two oceans with the construction of the Panama Canal, a marvelous engineering work. Panama has always been a blessed land where no significant natural disasters occur, being this a great advantage for the good functioning of the Panama Canal and the railway.

From the colonial times, Panama was the center of large international commercial fairs. In the XVI and XVII centuries through its Camino de Cruces and by the route of Nombre de Dios, most trade was carried between the so-called Indian Colonies of Castilla and Spain.

Today, Panama and its Panama Canal have succeeded in attracting the world interest, becoming a tourist, financial and investment center for the whole world. Thanks to the dedication and effort for being a country that offers benefits for all, there is stability in its democratic policy. There is no central bank since 1930, being the Dollar the legal currency, and for that reason there are no devaluations. Panama has offered the lowest inflation rate in the hemisphere in the last 50 years, even lower than that of the United Status of America. Likewise, it is one of the most important centers of incorporation of companies in the world, with law firms having international offices. This has led us to maintain one of the most stable financial banking centers in the world, with more than 70 local and international banks with more than 35 billions in assets, with an ample monetary and credit base which is supported by the free use of the Dollar. It has more than one hundred national and international banks, whose assets exceed 35 billion dollars.

PANAMA IS WORLD CLASS FOR ADVENTURE

Canopy, trekking, rappelling, sea kayacking and surfing are world-class experiences for the hard and soft adventure seeker. International experts rave about river running in Panama, including rafting and kayaking. There are rivers where you can ride 20 sets of rapids in one afternoon.

PANAMA: THE AFFORDABLE EXOTIC DESTINATION

Because Panama has just begun to promote itself as a tourist destination, its prices are some of the best in the market.

PANAMA HAS WORLDCLASS SPORTFISHING, DIVING AND SAILING

One place in Panama, Piñas Bay, holds 250 world fishing records. You can choose from seven excellent diving areas: Coiba National Park, the Pearl Islands, Isla Iguana, Bocas del Toro Archipielago, Portobelo and for historical diving the Panama Canal. Panama is also famous as a yacht destination.

PANAMA HAS NO HURRICANES OR MAJOR EARTHQUAKES

Panama is even blessed by nature. It is the only country in Central America that is absolutely hurricane-free. Panama also has none of the destructive earthquakes that plague its Central American neighbors. Your Panama vacation will never have to be re-scheduled due to natural events. Your property investment will always be safe.

PANAMA – THE SMART CHOICE FOR CONVENTIONS AND INCENTIVE TRAVEL

Panama City is a sophisticated and safe city with an unbeatable variety of nearby activities including golf, sport fishing, rainforest adventures, Indian village tours, scuba diving, historical sites and the Panama Canal.

Note:Source the panama planner edition 007/2006