TOPOGRAPHY. Panama is a country of heavily forested hills and mountain ranges. The two principal ranges are in the eastern and western sections of the country, and a third, minor range extends southward along the Pacific coast into Colombia.

What does the name of Panama mean?

abundance of fish
Indeed, the name “Panama” itself comes from an old indigenous word meaning “abundance of fish.” With that said, despite the lack of influence from the larger pre-Columbian civilizations, Panama’s indigenous peoples were not fully-isolated. The region then, as now, was still part of a great Pan-American trading route.

What is Panama’s topography?

TOPOGRAPHY. Panama is a country of heavily forested hills and mountain ranges. The two principal ranges are in the eastern and western sections of the country, and a third, minor range extends southward along the Pacific coast into Colombia.

Why Panama is a poor country?

Poverty in Panama is largely divided along urban and rural lines: The Panama Canal and its related sectors bring in more than 30% of the country’s annual economic growth through port activities alone. The total internationally-focused service sectors account for more than 60% of the overall GDP.

What is the problem with Panama?

Deforestation, desertification, water pollution, accessibility to potable water, and inadequate sewage facilities threaten the environment and the very health of the Panamanian people.

Is Panamanian Hispanic?

Panamanians are the 15th-largest population of Hispanic origin living in the United States, accounting for less than 1% of the U.S. Hispanic population in 2017. Since 2000, the Panamanian-origin population has increased 108%, growing from 101,000 to 210,000 over the period.

Where is Isthmus of Panama?

The Isthmus of Panama is the narrow strip of land that connects North and South America and divides the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

What country owns Panama?

The United States recognized Panama on November 6, 1903, after Panama declared its independence from Colombia.

Why is Panama so rich?

The economy of Panama is based mainly on the services sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of its GDP and accounts for most of its foreign income. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, commerce, the Colón Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, and flagship registry, medical and health and tourism.

Why is Panama so unequal?

Poverty is more significant in certain areas of the country, highlighting the economic inequality within Panama. Factors such as ethnicity, income level and education level all hold influence over one’s access to basic services and opportunities such as education and health care.

Is Panamanian a race?

The overwhelming majority of Panamanians are the product of varying degrees of admixture between European ethnic groups (predominantly Spaniards) with native Amerindians who are indigenous to Panama’s modern territory.