The Panama Canal
"My impression about the Panama Canal is that the great revolution it is going to introduce in the trade of the world is in the trade between the east and west coast of the United States." This is what William Taft said of the Panama Canal. At the most southern point of the Central American nations lays Panama. It is south of Costa Rica and north of Columbia. Allowing access from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean, the Panama Canal bisects the isthmus. There are extensive forests in the fertile Caribbean area. (Panama overview). It is divided into nine different provinces. It is surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains from all sides. The most famous mountain region, commonly known as Cordillera Central, is the Cordillera de Talamanca.
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The population is made up of mestizo- 65%, Native American-12.3%, black-9.2%, mulato-6.8%, and white- 6.7%. The main religions are roman catholic- 28%; beliefs and practices have been maintained among the Native American groups, and protestant-15%. The most important ritual is Carnival, which is when all work and seriousness stops and the streets fill with people dancing and drinking and with parades of colorful floats, glamorous queens, masks, costumes and confetti. (Carnival). They also have 2 independence days, one from their separation from Spain, November 28th, and one from their separation from Colombia, November 3rd. Panama's traditional dress is mainly influenced by Spanish culture but the Kuna people have, to some extent, kept the indigenous style alive. The traditional clothing of women consists of hand-made blouses known as "molas" with skirts. Their dresses are sewn with a reverse applique technique. They also colorize their faces and noses with a special paint which they prepare from achoite seed. The men wear a traditional Kuna shirt with pants, jeans or shorts. (Traditional) Their clothing is different throughout different times. Most of the people wear western style clothing every day, but on special holidays they go all out. On holidays they wear special costumes. Women wear a pollera, a white garment consisting of a blouse and long full skirt called a montuna. The men wear a montuno, which consists of a white embroidered shirt and short
The population is made up of mestizo- 65%, Native American-12.3%, black-9.2%, mulato-6.8%, and white- 6.7%. The main religions are roman catholic- 28%; beliefs and practices have been maintained among the Native American groups, and protestant-15%. The most important ritual is Carnival, which is when all work and seriousness stops and the streets fill with people dancing and drinking and with parades of colorful floats, glamorous queens, masks, costumes and confetti. (Carnival). They also have 2 independence days, one from their separation from Spain, November 28th, and one from their separation from Colombia, November 3rd. Panama's traditional dress is mainly influenced by Spanish culture but the Kuna people have, to some extent, kept the indigenous style alive. The traditional clothing of women consists of hand-made blouses known as "molas" with skirts. Their dresses are sewn with a reverse applique technique. They also colorize their faces and noses with a special paint which they prepare from achoite seed. The men wear a traditional Kuna shirt with pants, jeans or shorts. (Traditional) Their clothing is different throughout different times. Most of the people wear western style clothing every day, but on special holidays they go all out. On holidays they wear special costumes. Women wear a pollera, a white garment consisting of a blouse and long full skirt called a montuna. The men wear a montuno, which consists of a white embroidered shirt and short