Welcome to the Panama Weekly News Roundup! Here’s the latest.
Panama Prospers Thanks to US Dollar
Panama has come a long way in a short time, more than doubling its per capita gross domestic product in the past decade. At the end of June 2016, it opened the new canal next to the old one that could no longer accommodate the current generation of post-Panamax ships.
Panama became an independent country in 1903 when it seceded from Colombia — with the help and encouragement of the United States, which wished to build a canal across the isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finished building the canal in 1914. The 10-mile wide Canal Zone was considered sovereign U.S. territory, until a treaty that was negotiated during the Carter administration to return the canal to Panama. Some will recall that the United States invaded Panama back in 1989 to get rid of the corrupt drug-trafficking dictator, Manuel Noriega, who was threatening the canal in a way that violated the treaty that gave the canal to Panama.
Source: The Washington Times
Magnitude 4.7 earthquake shakes Panama’s capital
Did you feel the earthquake this past week? Luckily, it did little to no damage, however many residents of Panama were alarmed.
An earthquake caused skyscrapers in Panama’s capital to sway Monday and led to the evacuation of some buildings. There were no immediate reports of injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey gave a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 for the afternoon’s quake. The shaking set off car alarms and local news media said the local subway system was halted.The quake at 2:35 p.m. (1935 GMT) was centered 6 miles (10 kilometers) deep about 51 miles (83 kilometers) south-southeast of Panama City in the Gulf of Panama.
Source: ABC News
Youth Baseball Games In Panama Are Rowdier Than Anything In MLB
Baseball is a huge tradition in Panama, and have a long-standing following throughout the entire country. Many visitors and expats may underestimate the fierce support it has, and has for good reason. Here’s a good read on it from Deadspin.
Baseball was on. Real, true baseball. A sweltering Friday night, a flashy casino in the heart of Panama City, an enormous projector looming over the slot machines, showing the game. To this American, whose offseason antsiness is fading into the inevitable letdown of spring training, catching a glimpse of competitive baseball in the wild was like a shot of adrenaline; an energizing respite from the doldrums of winter.
Baseball fever extended far beyond the casino; radios leaking from passing cars and darkened windows were tuned to the game, its balls and strikes and soft contact broadcast on baseball’s traditional medium. It was a surprise to learn that the playoffs which had absorbed so much attention featured teenagers—amateurs—playing for their respective regions.
Source: Deadspin
The 5 Best Things to Do in Panama in 2017
We’re off to a great start here in Panama in 2017 so far, and this year looks to be a great one when it comes to living in Panama or visiting Panama. As a country that’s always on the go, there’s plenty of new things to do and explore each year. In the spirit of Carnaval, and a fresh start, here are our top 5 best things we think you should do in Panama in 2017. Let us know if we missed anything!
1. Go to the Biodiversity Museum:
If you haven’t been to this museum yet, now is the time to do it. It’s only been open for about 2.5 full years, but is more and more getting recognized as a go-to for tourists, students, and locals. At the Biodiversity Musuem, you can see hundreds of different flora and fauna from Panama, and learn about all of them in a real-life environment. The building itself is inspiring, and it’s easy to access from any part of Panama City.
Source: International Relocation Firm Blog
