Fun Facts About Panama – From Tourism to Sports!

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:56:20 +0000

Welcome to Panama!

Geography

Did you know- This Latin American nation holds a territory of 30,200 square miles ( 75,517 square kilometers). It is located in Central America, between Costa Rica and Colombia. There are 480 rivers in the country. The nation’s population is around 3.1 million people. The capital is Panama City, one of the most modern cities in Latin America.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Did you know- Despite being one of Latin American’s smallest republics, the nation has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It has more universal wonders than Denmark (4), Estonia (2), and the Dominican Republic (1). The following are the Universal Heritage Sites in the country:

-Fortificaciones on the Caribbean Side of Panama

-Darien National Park

-Talamanca Range-La Amistad Rserves/La Amistad National Park

-Archaelogical Site of Panama Viejo and Historic District of Panama

-Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection

Multi-sport Events

Did you know- For the first time since 1938, the Central American & Caribbean Games were held in Panama City in the early 1970s. More than 2,095 athletes from 22 countries and territories participated in the Games, including British Honduras (now Belize) and Suriname. In the meantime, by 1973 Panama City hosted the Bolivarian Games, a multi-sport event with the participation of athletes from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.

Famous women

Did you know- This Central American nation is home to some notable women: Maria Olimpia Obaldia (poet), Berta Torrijos de Arosemena (feminist), Susana Richa de Torrijos (former Minister of Education), Margot Fonteyn (ballet dancer), Amelia Deniz de Ycaza (poet), Justin Pasek (2002 Miss Universe), and Mireya Moscoso (ex Head of State).

Independence

Did you know- On November 3, 1903, Panama declared its independence from Colombia. That year, Panama was the world’s youngest nation.

Economics

Did you know-The country has a high GDP per capita in comparison to several Latin American countries. Panama’s main exports are bananas, coffee, shrimps, and seafood, meanwhile it imports manufactured goods from America and Europe.

Olympic History

Did you know- Panama’s National Olympic Committee sent a five-person team to the 2008 Summer Olympics in the People’s Republic of China. The athletes were: Irving Saladino ( track & field/ men’s long jump), Bayano Kamani (athletics/ men’s 400m hurdles), Jesika Jimenez (women’s fencing), Edgar Roberto Crespo (men’s 100m breaststroke), and Christine Bodden Baca (women’s 100m backstroke).

United Nations

Did you know-International Organizations

Did you know- During the latter half of the 20th century, the Spanish-speaking nation joined the United Nations. In 1981 and 1982, Panama was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations, along with the People’s Republic of China, America, Great Britain and other countries. Previously, Panama’s diplomat Jorge Illueca had been considered one of the favorites to win the post of UN Secretary General. On the other hand, the Latin American republic also belong to the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Miss Universe

Did you know-

By 2002 Panama’s representative Justine Pasek was crowned Miss Universe 2002 – a position she held for nine months– in New York City. She thus became the Central America’s first Miss Universe. Meanwhile, in 2003, the nation had been elected as the host city for the 51th Miss Universe. The country’s President Mireya Moscoso provided the financial support for the global event.

Famous Visitors

Did you know- By 1983, Pope John Paul II arrived in Panama City for an official visit.

Olympic Champs

Did you know- The Central American country is home to Irving Saladino, one of the world’s highest profile athletes. Mr Saladino won the Olympic title in the long jump at the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Aside from that, he also won the gold medal in the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan. Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda was born on January 23, 1983, in Colon.

By: Alejandro Guevara Onofre

Colombia travel » Panama Geography

Fun Facts About Panama – From Tourism to Sports!