'History of Panama' History

Danielle from Somewhere over the rainbow (Contact Member) -

Guess it's only right that we post the actual hisotry on Panama here. The Canals seem to take precedence on the net. So here's a blurb of the actual history of Panama itself. With a linky loo of course! :D

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Panama's history has been shaped by the evolution of the world economy and the ambitions of great powers. Rodrigo de Bastidas, sailing westward from Venezuela in 1501 in search of gold, was the first European to explore the Isthmus of Panama. A year later, Christopher Columbus visited the Isthmus and established a short-lived settlement in the Darien. Vasco Nunez de Balboa's tortuous trek from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1513 demonstrated that the Isthmus was, indeed, the path between the seas, and Panama quickly became the crossroads and marketplace of Spain's empire in the New World. Gold and silver were brought by ship from South America, hauled across the Isthmus, and loaded aboard ships for Spain. The route became known as the Camino Real, or Royal Road, although it was more commonly known as Camino de Cruces (Road of the Crosses) because of the abundance of gravesites along the way.

Panama was part of the Spanish empire for 300 years (1538-1821). From the outset, Panamanian identity was based on a sense of "geographic destiny, " and Panamanian fortunes fluctuated with the geopolitical importance of the Isthmus. The colonial experience also spawned Panamanian nationalism as well as a racially complex and highly stratified society, the source of internal conflicts that ran counter to the unifying force of nationalism.

Comment #1 Stacey from Out West (Contact Member) -

What a thorough report on the history of Panama you've written there, Danielle. Gold lures everyone. Certainly calls my name. I can hear it in my jewelry box now. ;-)

Comment #2 La Ruina from Nueva Gorgona, Panama (Contact Member) -

History of the village created in 1913 when the old town flooded under Lake Gatun. An Expat and Panamanian spouse renovated a WWII Beer Hall from the abandoned ruins. If you're in Panama (Central America)... visit "La Ruina Bar & Restaurant" on the Pacific-coast town of Nueva Gorgona

(on Google Earth to the west of Panama City).

It's an 'Old and New' Expat hangout.

Check the website LaRuinaTavern.com (La Ruina Bar/Rest)

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