Panama

Centrally located in the Western Hemisphere, Panama sits on key land for world economics. Shipping is especially prevalent due to the behemoth Panama Canal constructed by Americans which offers the only connection from the Pacific to the Atlantic across the Americas. To the south of the country, the Darien Gap is found. A dense forest, this acts as a border between Colombia not allowing any roads or other forms of transit. In recent years, Panama has seen a profound increase in development, mostly around Panama City. This can be attributed to Americans funding the construction of skyscrapers in urban areas and investing in or starting businesses in Panama. Hence, the standard of living is relatively high in Panama and there is little emigration. Most Panamanians work in the service sector, with the majority of money coming from canal toll fees. Agriculture is comparably small, and the principal crops are coffee and bananas. The national dish of Panama is sancocho, a kind of chicken stew with potatoes and corn. Also, ropa vieja is a very popular plate. Panama is mostly Mestizo, with about 15% of its people identifying as Black and Indigenous respectively. This indigenous population is among the highest per capita in Latin America. Many of these groups live in traditional communities with hints of modernization like adopting Spanish. They still have their own languages and are known for elegant textiles and rituals. There is still a significant American influence in Panama, and in urban communities, English is spoken often, especially in academic settings. Afro-Panamanians have played an important role in forming a distinct style of Panamanian art forms like reggae. Panama also cherishes the cumbia and more traditional folk music. A staple of Panamanian dress is their infamous piece of headwear, which is a straw hat with a thin brim originally from Ecuador. Soccer and baseball share the stage for being the favorite pastime of Panamanians, with athletes finding success in both sports. School in Panama is obligatory up to the third year of secondary school. A large portion of the population is literate, and there is a plethora of great universities in Panama City, with many foreign schools offering programs there. The healthcare system in Panama is robust, offering social security to most employees. The facilities are taken care of, and there is a great array of doctors serving the communities.