Panama has a very rich history marked with numerous riots and efforts to gain independence from the Spanish rule. It was discovered by the Spaniards at the beginning of the 16th century and later made one of the most significant parts of New Andalusia. After gaining independence from Spain in 1831, Panama became one of the main targets of the US interventions and planned attacks that were unsuccessful. With the support of the US forces, the country managed to leave its past as New Granada’s subordinate behind and turned into a completely independent country in 1903.
Today, it stands out as a country that can boast amazing beaches, awesome nature and great shopping opportunities. The information we want to share with our readers will be particularly interesting for those who want to learn more about Panama, its history and culture. Here are some facts we’ve managed to gather…
Panama: 8 interesting facts about the country with amazing sunsets and sunrises
1. Panama is a big island country
The location of the country that consists of as many as 1,500 islands protects it from hurricanes. Apart from being safely protected from one of the most dangerous natural disasters, Panama is well-known as a miraculous country where one can greet the sunrise on the Pacific and see the sunset on the Atlantic. Besides, the capital of the country is the only city in the world that has a rainforest area where citizens can walk.
2. Panamanians never judge anyone
In fact, the native population of the country consists of people who take the question of their family as the main priority. No one will irritate you by trying to offer solutions to the problems they know little about. No one is truly interested in your issue and worries because everyone has their own share own problems and obstacles to deal with. The things you share with someone may be later shared with someone else but not with the view of judging and gossiping. These phenomena have no place in the everyday life of Panamanians.
When building relationships with them, you’ll have to try hard in order to gain their trust. The events in the history of the society, as well as ethnic diversity shaped a certain outlook on life under the influence of which a Panamanian finds it hard to trust anyone except for family, an interesting fact about Panama.
3. Panama’s families are big
It’s common for several generations to live under one roof and bringing children up together. This principle allows to imbue little children with respect for the older generation and to ensure that they will take care of the family members in return. As for the roles in the family, they are dictated by the beliefs accepted in the Spanish culture. Even though women are expected to occupy themselves mainly with home responsibilities, many of them receive education and work full-time jobs.
4. Panama’s motto is reflected in the relaxed lifestyle of its population
Panamanians prefer a relaxed lifestyle which helps them to avoid everyday stress and unnecessary worries. Unlike many people living in big cities and constantly struggling with multiple tasks to do within one day, the residents of Panama prefer not to hurry, a fun fact about Panama. Apart from official meetings and negotiations that require everyone involved to arrive on time, locals never stick to the time deadlines and can easily put the tasks off to tomorrow. Do not be surprised if the guests you invited for dinner arrive 2 hours later than expected.
5. Panamanians love meeting new people
Panamanians are good at finding the right balance between work and other responsibilities in life, including the time when they can relax and simply have fun. They enjoy talking and meeting with new people who come in order to explore and see Panama. By the way, locals are proud of their country and will not hesitate to tell you interesting stories covering its everyday life and history.
6. The country has a carnival that dates back to the 19th century
Carnival de las Tablas, an annual celebration that takes place in March, is the time when local people perform folk songs and organize parades to show respect for their long history. Several centuries ago, there were two religious clans of people who constantly competed with each other in the art of writing songs and dancing. Even though being born out of rivalry, today the carnival signifies the willingness of people to unify and live in peace. An interesting fact about Panama is that the carnival is popular among tourists who often come to the country for the sole purpose of taking part in this bright and joyful event.
7. The residents of the country value and remember many folk stories and myths
Many of the events and festivals held in the country are based on the folklore stories passed from one generation on to the next one. Festival de la Mejorana, an annual celebration held on the Azuero Peninsula, is one of these events. Local people can share stories about the Virgin of Mercy, who healed a little girl in 1949. The healing was seen as a real miracle to be honored by means of an annual celebration. The festival lasts for a week, and it’s the time when the town it’s held in fully transforms. People who come to dance and celebrate with the locals can see fireworks, brightly lit streets and beautiful decorations on the houses.
8. Panama is a multilingual country
Apart from Spanish that is the country’s official language, many Panamanians speak English fluently because it’s taught at schools and is used as the language of instructions. Besides, there are a couple of other languages spoken in the country daily. These languages often represent the mixture of several languages spoken by native tribes, a fun Panama fact.
Conclusion
Panama is the country characterized by ethnic diversity, with people of various races living together in peace. Such a lifestyle encourages them to share their traditions and enrich their cultures leading to benefits the society in general.
We hope that the information we provided above will encourage our readers to continue learning about Panama as its culture is full of things no other culture has.
I hope that this article on Panama facts was helpful! If you are interested, visit the Country Facts Page!
